{"id":70,"date":"2024-10-13T21:41:59","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T02:41:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/mtsige\/?page_id=70"},"modified":"2024-10-13T21:41:59","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T02:41:59","slug":"group-members","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/mtsige\/group-members\/","title":{"rendered":"Current Team\/Alumni"},"content":{"rendered":"

Current Members<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Javad Tamnanloo<\/strong>
\nPhD Student, 2022 - present
\n
\nMachine-learning approaches for property and (bio)activity prediction of polymers, Diffusion in polymers
\n
\nExtracurricular interests include: hiking and rock climbing, watching movies and documentaries, and reading all sorts of books
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Farzad Toiserkani<\/strong>
\nPhD student 2022- Present.
\n
\nMolecular Dynamics simulations of self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules, influence of molecular architecture and environment, Bead-spring coarse-grained simulations for mesoscale behavior and kinetics
\n
\nExtracurricular activities: Hiking, Mountaineering, cycling, Swimming.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Hansini Abeysinghe<\/strong>
\nPhD student 2022- Present.
\n
\nDensity Functional Theory (DFT) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate PFAS adsorption on biochar-supported single-atom metal catalysts; DFT-based catalytic design for polymer synthesis.
\n
\nExtracurricular activities: Hiking, Reading books, watching movies, and listening to music
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Johan Fernando<\/strong>
\nPhD Student (co-advised by Prof. James Eagan), 2024 - present
\n
\nComputational polymer science, focusing on molecular dynamics simulations to investigate polymer synthesis, glass transition behavior, and cross-linking mechanisms; development and automation of simulation workflows for understanding structure\u2013property relationships in polymeric materials.
\n
\nExtracurricular interests: Cricket, watching TV series, playing guitar, hiking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Charles Cordts<\/strong>
\nPhD Student (co-advised by Prof. Dhinojwala)\u00a02024 - present
\n
\nInterfacial mechanics in polymer nanocomposites, focusing on the dispersion and adhesion behavior of carbon nanotubes in rubber matrices to improve tensile strength and modulus; application of molecular dynamics simulations to analyze nanotube\u2013polymer interactions and inform experimental design.
\n
\nExtracurricular activities: Cello, woodworking, board gaming<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>QiShun Xu<\/strong>
\nAMP student 2024-present
\n
\nThe structure and dynamics of polymers at liquid\/liquid interfaces.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Haoliu Chen<\/strong>
\nMaster's Degree Student 2024-present
\n
\nMolecular dynamics simulations of topologically complex polymers at immiscible interfaces and investigations of how architectural and stiffness variations influence the equilibrium morphologies of block copolymers.
\n
\nExtracurricular activities: go kart racing, hiking, scenic traveling.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Nahom Solomon<\/strong>
\nSTEM Magnet Program 2025-present
\n
\nMachine learning approaches and data analysis to investigate adsorption behavior of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on carbon-based surfaces; computational exploration to support remediation strategies.
\n
\nExtracurricular activities: Basketball, performance pianist and multi-instrumentalist, and reading.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Diksha Aswal<\/strong>
\nGraduate Researcher, 2025 - present
\n
\nMachine-learning and data-driven modeling of small molecules and polymers, with a focus on elucidating structure\u2013property relationships.
\n
\nExtracurricular activities: Cooking, practicing classical Indian dance (Kathak), reading books, staying physically active, and watching movies\/TV series.
\n
\nLinkedIn<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Alumni<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Abdol Hadi Mokarizadeh<\/strong>
\nPhD Student, 2019 - 2025
\n
\nHadi's research spans a broad range of topics from the molecular behavior of biopolymers to the interactions of water at interfaces, with his Ph.D. thesis centered on elucidating the wetting properties of surfaces through advanced molecular simulations.
\n
\nCurrently Postdoc at The University of Houston<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Hao Guo <\/strong>
\nPhD Student 2018-2023
\n
\nCatalyst discovery and design; application of artificial neural network (ANN) and machine learning (ML) for catalytic design using an atomistic simulation environment (ASE); current research approaches catalysis as a complex, multidimensional and multiscale field of research
\nExtracurricular interests include: reading, badminton, baroque and classical music, cooking
\n
\nCurrently Postdoc at Duke University<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Kun Qian<\/strong>
\nPhD Student (initially AMP, 2017 - 2019), 2019 - 2023
\n
\nSimulation of the behavior of different macroions in solution; effect of different parameters on the self-assembly of macroions
\nExtracurricular interests include: dancing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Alankar Rastogi<\/strong>
\nPhD Student (co-advised by Prof. Ali Dhinojwala), 2012-2017
\n
\nInterfacial phenomena at PMMA-liquid and PMMA-sapphire interfaces at varied bulk concentrations; novel approaches in surface tension calculation for liquids with special emphasis on alkanes; research tools: Molecular Dynamics (MD) and ab-initio simulations, and Sum-Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy (SFG)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Nityanshu Kumar<\/strong>
\nPhD Student, 2017 \u2013 2022
\n
\nPrediction, via simulation techniques, of important coating properties such as surface free energy, interaction energy, and contact angles; hollow glass microsphere- and bamboo fiber-polymer hybrids for light weight and high strength applications
\n
\nCurrently at E Ink Corporation, MA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Jiuke Chen<\/strong>
\n
\nGraduate Research Assistant (AMP), 2019 - 2021
\n
\nPrevious research: Aging behavior of BIIR; hydrogel based molybdenum disulfide nano-sheets
\n
\nCurrently PhD student at ETH Z\u00fcrich and Empa, Switzerland
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Siteng Zhang<\/strong>
\nGraduate Research Assistant (AMP), 2019 - 2021
\n
\nSimulation of surface behavior in polymers, characterization
\nExtracurricular interests include: soccer, fitness
\n
\nCurrently PhD student at University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Zifeng Wang<\/strong>
\nGraduate Research Assistant (AMP), 2019 - 2021
\n
\nSimulation, FEA
\nExtracurricular interests include: video, fishing, and dynamic music
\n
\nCurrently PhD student at Georgia Institute of Technology, GA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Yuanhao Zhang<\/strong>
\nGraduate Research Assistant (AMP), 2018 - 2021
\n
\nCurrently a PhD student at Ohio State University<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Gary Leuty<\/strong>
\nMS then PhD, 2008 - 2014
\n
\nAdsorption and surface structure characteristics in bottle brush polymers; structure and dynamics of fluoromethane films
\n
\nCurrently at LinQuest, Dayton, OH
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Jiayuan Miao<\/strong>
\nPhysics Department, Case Western Reserve University (co-advised by Prof. Philip Taylor)
\nPhD Student, 2012-2017
\n
\nDesign of polymer dielectrics, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation of relaxation in stretched PVDF nanofibers, theoretical unification of Fickian and non-Fickean diffusions
\n
\nCurrently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Tufts University, Medford, MA
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Selemon Bekele<\/strong>
\nPhD Student, 2013 \u2013 2019
\n
\nWetting of polymeric thin films by water droplets; instantaneous surface-sensitive analyses of temperature-dependent structural and dynamical properties at polymer film surfaces; assessment of ordering at thin film-water interfaces with the help of hydrogen bond dynamics for biocompatible design of adhesive polymeric materials
\n
\nCurrently a Research Scientist at Air Force Research Laboratory, Dayton, OH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Arvind Modi<\/strong>
\nDepartment of Polymer Engineering, (co-advised by Prof. Alamgir Karim)
\nPhD Student, 2010 \u2013 2016
\n
\nNovel approaches in understanding ordering and the morphological evolution in solvent swollen thin BCP films: how solvent quality influences interfacial and polymer chain properties, and how substrate, on the other hand, affects preferential segregation and nanodomain alignment
\n
\nCurrently an R&D Engineer at Intel, Portland, OR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Zijun Lu<\/strong>
\nPhysics Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (co-advised by Prof. Philip Taylor)
\nPhD Student, 2013 - 2019
\n
\nAlternatives computational techniques to conventional diffusion and thermal expansion analyses; glass transition temperature prediction from short-time simulations via cage-softening and dynamic heterogeneity calculations
\n
\nCurrently a Machine Learning Engineer at Umeng+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Yeneneh Y. Yimer<\/strong>
\nPhD Student, 2010 - 2014
\n
\nAtomic-level molecular dynamic simulations of conjugated polymers; force field development; high accuracy structural prediction via coarse-grained simulations
\n
\nCurrently Principal Engineer Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning at Starbucks
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Zhuonan Liu<\/strong>
\nPhD Student, 2012 \u2013 2017
\n
\nMacroions: dynamic translocation process of countercations around hybrid anionic clusters; self-assembly and interaction in polar solvents; polymer glasses: origin, chain network, and behavior of ductility in polymer glasses
\n
\nCurrently Senior Predictive Engineer at 3M, Saint Paul, MN<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Ram Bhatta <\/strong>
\nPostdoctoral Research Associate, 2013 - 2016
\n
\nHigh performance computational studies of small molecule and macromolecule interactions, with application in areas such as polymer solar cells
\n
\nCurrently Lecturer, Texas A&M University, San Antonio
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Natalia B. Shenogina <\/strong>
\nPostdoctoral Research Associate, 2010-2012
\n
\nBehavior prediction, and elastic and structural property determination of thermoset polymers and polymer networks
\n
\nCurrently at Wright State University, Dayton, OH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Zhe Zhao<\/strong>
\nGraduate Research Assistant (AMP), 2017 \u2013 2019
\n
\nMacroion research: effect of macroion size, charge density and distribution on self-assembly of macroions
\nExtracurricular interests include: listening to all kinds of music, reading<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Iskinder Arsano<\/strong>
\nPhD Student, 2015 \u2013 2020
\n
\nNanotechnological alternatives to water filtration using differently-functionalized carbon nanotubes; atomistic simulations of novel asphaltic materials; computational polymer scientific implementation in the study of Early Earth primitive polymers
\nFascinated in: smooth jazz, blues, bati
\n
\nCurrently a Research Fellow at FDA, MD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Ali Abu-Nada<\/strong>
\nM.S. student, 2009-2011
\nApplied Physics - Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), IL
\n
\nAdsorption of Methane and Propane on a LJ Wall and on Molybdenum Surface: A Simulation Study
\n
\nCurrently Assistant Professor of Physics and Head of Department, Isra University, Amman, Jordan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Solomon Negash <\/strong>
\nPhysics Department, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia (co-advised by Prof. Tatek Yergou)
\nPhD Student, 2012 \u2013 2017
\n
\nSubstrate-dependent effect of tacticity on the structure and glass transition temperature of adsorbed polystyrene (PS) thin films
\n
\nCurrently Assistant Professor at Jimma University, Ethiopia<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Kshitij C. Jha<\/strong>
\nPostdoctoral Research Associate, 2012 \u2013 2014
\n
\nEffect of tacticity and temperature on the surface structure of polymer \u2013 vacuum interfaces, thermal and mechanical properties of elastomers; relationship between interfacial water structure and the physico-chemical aspects of ice accretion
\n
\nCurrently CEO at BienaTech, Canada<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Chiranjivi Lamsal <\/strong>
\nM.S. student, 2008-2010
\n
\nApplied Physics - Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), IL
\n
\nSimulation of the halomethanes structures on graphite and silica substrates
\n
\nCurrently Associate Professor at State University of New York at Plattsburgh, NY<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Yexin Zheng <\/strong>
\nPhD Student (co-advised by Prof. Shi-Qing Wang; initially AMP), 2014 \u2013 2019
\n
\nExperimental and simulation methods to understand the molecular origin of the nonlinear rheological behavior of polymer melts; investigation of the chain-network effect of polymer glasses under deformation using both experiments and molecular dynamics simulation with emphasis on the brittle-ductile transition phenomenon
\n
\nCurrently an Associate Scientist at BASF, Shanghai, China<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Saeed Akbari<\/strong>
\nGraduate Research Assistant, 2016 \u2013 2018
\n
\nComputationally driven design and characterization of homocatenanes and diblock catenanes in solutions and interfaces; particularly uses all-atom MD simulation to give the most accurate characterization of the effects of molecular weight, solvent(s), surfaces and interfaces on the structure and dynamics of catenanes
\nExtracurricular interests include: swimming, drawing and reading nonscientific books
\n
\nCurrently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Arizona State University, AZ<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>Xiaoxiao Li<\/strong>
\nPhD Student (co-advised by Prof. Shi-Qing Wang), 2013 \u2013 2017
\n
\nExperimental and simulation studies to understand the molecular origin of mechanical stress in ductile deformation of polymer glasses; high and low molecular weight polymer glasses with respect to large and inhomogeneity-inducing deformations
\n
\nCurrently a Senior Product Engineer at Johns Manville, CO<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Undergraduate Researchers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Kerrick Fanning<\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2024<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Eric Caldwell<\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2023<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Everen Wegner<\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2022<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ruth Eckman<\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kevin Feezel<\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2018<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Emily Gerstein <\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2016<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alex Weber <\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2016<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
George Eason<\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2015<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hope Hickman<\/strong>
\nApplied Math, 2015<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oliver Evans<\/strong>
\nApplied Math, 2015 \u2013 2018
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Katherine Starr<\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dawit Challa<\/strong>
\n2013, Electrical Engineering<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Robert Medina <\/strong>
\nMcNair Scholar, 2012<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
John Muryn <\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2011<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Julia Deitz<\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2011<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prasad P. Iyer <\/strong>
\nVisiting student, 2011<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Amy Beard<\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2009<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jonathan Nehring<\/strong>
\nNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2008 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

High School Researchers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Ryan Lee <\/strong>
\n2022, Copley High School, Copley, OH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maria Dhinojwala <\/strong>
\n2017, Archbishop Hoban High School, Akron, OH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zichao Hu <\/strong>
\n2017, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Akron, OH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kevin Freezel <\/strong>
\n2015, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Akron, OH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alex Weber <\/strong>
\n2013, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Akron, OH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Abhiav Ketineni<\/strong>
\n2014, Harker School, San Jose, CA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brandon Yang <\/strong>
\n2013, Harker School, San Jose, CA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Pictures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Abbreviations<\/strong>
\n
\nAMP: Akron Masters Program
\nDPE: Department of Polymer Engineering at The University of Akron
\nCPSPE: College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at The University of Akron
\nMD: Molecular Dynamics Simulations
\nP3HT: Poly (3-hexylthiophen-2,5-diyl)
\nREU: NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates at CPSPE<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
APS Meeting 2023
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\"\"<\/a><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Current Members Alumni Undergraduate Researchers High School Researchers PicturesRead More →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2262,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["entry","author-mtsige-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2","post-70","page","type-page","status-publish"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/mtsige\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/mtsige\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/mtsige\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/mtsige\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2262"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/mtsige\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/mtsige\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2633,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/mtsige\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70\/revisions\/2633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/mtsige\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}