Group Members

Nihar Sakhadeo, PhD Student

Hometown: Kolhapur, India
Research Focus: Lignin-based nanocomposites

Tianyue Chen, Undergraduate Research Student (Chemistry Directed Study)

Hometown: Shanghai, China
Research Focus: Hydroxyl availability of micro-ground wood biomass

Kelsey Yang Undergraduate Research Student

Hometown: Woodbury, Minnesota
Research Focus: Temperature regulating nanocellulose composite materials

Dr. Han-Seung Yang, Former Research Associate/Lab Manager (2011-2015)

Hometown: Busan, Republic of Korea
Research Focus: Nanofibers and composites as co-products of bioenergy system

Current position: R&D Director, Nanodyne Measurement Systems Inc., Minneapolis, MN

Dr. Márcia Branciforti, Former Research Associate/Visiting scholar (2013-2014)

Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Research Focus: Nanofibrillation of woody biomass

Current position: Professor, Dept. Materials Sc. Eng., University of São Paolo, Brazil

Dr. Laura M. Moya, Former Ph.D. Student (2004-2008)

Hometown: Montevideo, Uruguay
Research Focus: Fire-impacted trees for oriented strand boards

Current position: Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, ORT University, Uruguay

Dr. Islam Hafez, Former Ph.D. Student (2013-2018)

Hometown: Alexandria, Egypt
Research Focus: Films and adhesive products from saccharification residues of biomass

Current position: Assistant Professor, Oregon State University

Hsin-Chen Chen, Former Researcher (2020-2021) 

Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan
Research Focus: Resin-free bonding of wood microfiber

Jin Yao, Former M.S. Student (2008-2010)

Hometown: Datong, China
Research Focus: Raman spectroscopic studies of load transfer in microfibrillated cellulose/poly(lactic acid) composites

Lili Zhou, Former M.S. Student (2008-2010)

Hometown: China
Research Focus: All-cellulose composites prepared in an ionic liquid

Jesse D. Lund, Former Graduate Research Student (2006-2010)

Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Research Focus: Extraction of cellulose nanocrystals and mechanical characterization of their polymeric composites

Fletcher Gilbertson, Former UROP Research Student (2016)

Hometown: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Research Focus: Improving wet performance of chitosan-xylan bioplastic

Katrina Hanson, Former UROP Research Student (2015)

Hometown: Lakeland, Minnesota
Research Focus: Nanocellulose-soybean oil composites via UV-initiated free radical polymerization

Sangki Hong, Former Undergraduate Research Student (Two-semester Chemistry Directed Study) (2012-2013)

Hometown: Seoul, Republic of Korea
Research Focus: FTIR characterization of biomass saccharification residues

Current position: Process Engineer, Intel

Suna Jo, Former Undergraduate Research Student (Two-semester Chemistry Directed Study) (2022)

Hometown: Yongin, Republic of Korea
Research Focus: Biobased heat storage materials

Brady Krueger, Former Undergraduate Research Student (2013)

Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Research Focus: Nanocellulose-poly(ethylene oxide) composites

Current position: Permit Engineer, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Jonathon Langkammer, Former UROP Research Student (2013)

Hometown: Neenah, Wisconsin
Research Focus: Electrically conductive polymer films containing cellulose nanofibers

Nicolas Lissome, Former Undergraduate Research Assistant (2009-2011)

Hometown: Cameroon
Research Focus: Surface-chemical characterization of modified wood fibers

Evelyn McLaughlin, Former Undergraduate Research Assistant (2013)

Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota
Research Focus: Surface oxidation of cellulose fibers; properties of nanocellulose/EVA composites

Lauren Mecum, Former UROP Research Student (2022)

Hometown: Stillwater, Minnesota
Research Focus: Lignin-toughened polymeric nanocomposites

Claire Mikkelson, Former Undergraduate Research Assistant (2021-2022)

Hometown: Janesville, Wisconsin
Research Focus: Micro-nanofiber board and films

Derek Nelson, Former UROP Research Student (2014)

Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota
Research Focus: Cellulose nanofiber/polymer composites by filtration approach

Ava Schrenk, Former Undergraduate Research Assistant/UROP Research Student (2012-2013)

Hometown: Richfield, Minnesota
Research Focus: Nanoreinforcement of wood thermosetting adhesive

Current position: Chemist, Integrated Recycling Technologies, MN.

Kyle Wist, Former UROP Research Student (2023-2024)

Hometown: Franklin, Wisconsin
Research Focus: Nano-reinforced, lignin-based thermosetting adhesive

Keith Wu, Former Undergraduate Honors Research Student (2009-2011)

Hometown: Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Research Focus: Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis of microfibrillated cellulose/poly(lactic acid) composites

Currently with Epic, Madison, WI.