Ashley Zachmann
Ashley grew up in Wayland, MA and then attended undergrad at Emory University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Chemistry in 2019. She is currently working on developing new C–H functionalization methodologies. In her free time, she likes to read mystery books, cook, dance, and cross stitch. She hopes one day to have a pet turtle.
Eliza Neidhart
Eliza was born in Madison, WI where she grew up munching cheese curds. For undergrad, she journeyed across the Mississippi River to chilly St. Paul, MN to study biopolymers in Professor Leah Witus’ lab. After graduation, Eliza remained in the area, designing surfactant systems for laundry machines the size of school buses. More importantly, she finally began to adopt the MinnesOtan accent. Next, she spent a year sniffing chemicals as a flavor chemist and being blown away by the winter winds and yummy food in NYC before arriving in Chapel Hill. Now she can be spotted pedaling vigorously around town on her dilapidated bike or basking in the comparatively warm temperatures year-round. Eliza gets excited about tackling sustainability challenges and focuses on C-H functionalization of polyolefins for polymer recycling applications.
Jack Gruhin
Jack grew up in Glen Ridge, NJ, a small suburban town just miles from NYC. After discovering his love for harsh winters, he moved to Ithaca, NY to obtain a B.A. in Chemistry and Chemical Biology from Cornell University. Jack is now in the Alexanian group at UNC, working on diversifying C–H functionalization reagents for enhanced site selectivity and functional group compatibility. In his free time, Jack enjoys playing board games like Risk and Monopoly as well as programming.
Justine Drappeau
Justine Drappeau is a third-year from Dresden, Maine. She graduated from the University of Rochester in 2021 with a B.S. in Chemistry and clusters in French and Environmental Politics. In the Alexanian lab, she works on C–H functionalization projects. Outside of the lab, Justine enjoys spending time outdoors, trying new restaurants, and playing with her cat Olefin.
Mason Faculak
Mason was raised in Grand Blanc, Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in chemistry and a minor in astronomy and astrophysics. At Michigan, he worked in the Wolfe group studying palladium-catalyzed alkene difunctionalization reactions. He is currently studying cobalt-catalyzed carbonylation reactions in the Alexanian group at UNC. He enjoys playing video games, volleyball, and cooking!
Richard Kim
Richard received his B.A. degree in Chemistry from Cornell University in 2021. From there, he made the move to UNC Chapel Hill where his research is centered on the development of methodologies in C–H functionalization that utilize our amidyl radical platform. Outside of lab, Richard enjoys getting swole (lifting weights).
John Brymer
John received his B.S. in Chemistry from James Madison University. There he worked under Dr. Debbie Mohler on the Synthesis of Antisense Oligonucleotides. He then made the move to UNC Chapel Hill where he is currently working on cobalt catalysis. In his free time John likes to cook, workout, and study history.
Michael Rodriguez
Michael is a second-year graduate student from Downingtown, Pennsylvania. In 2022, he graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in Latin-American and Iberian Studies from the University of Richmond where he worked in the laboratory of Dr. C. Wade Downey. In the Alexanian lab, he is a new member of the team investigating cobalt-catalyzed carbonylation reactions. Outside of the lab, Michael enjoys playing board games, working out, and cooking.
Jack Hemphill
Jack is a first-year graduate student from Ladera Ranch, California. In 2023, he graduated with a B.A. in Chemistry and a comprehensive Music Minor from the University of San Diego. At USD, he worked in the laboratory of Dr. Timothy Clark researching carbon-phosphorous cross couplings. In the Alexanian lab he now works on cobalt-catalyzed carbonylation reactions. Outside of lab Jack enjoys running, rock climbing, and listening to music.
Lexie Handlin
Lexie was born in Houston, TX, but spent much of her life in North Carolina before continuing her migration north to attend Cornell University where she graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Chemistry and a minor in education. During her time at Cornell she worked in Dr. Christopher Ober's lab initially on the development of anti-biofouling coatings for marine applications and then on the synthesis of liquid-crystalline monomers for applications in organic electronics. The combination of synthesis and materials chemistry suited her and inspired a move back down south to UNC where she is now a co-advised student between Dr. Erik Alexanian and Dr. Frank Leibfarth working on C-H functionalizations with an eye on polyolefin applications. Outside of lab Lexie is an avid CrossFitter and is likely to be found either at the gym or on her couch hanging out with her cat Mark.
Raina Semenick
Raina was raised in Smyrna, Delaware and then attended undergrad at Allegheny College where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S in Chemistry and a minor in Studio Art with a ceramic focus in 2023. She also participated in a REU at Arizona State University under Kyle Biegasiewicz in the summer of 2022. In the Alexanian Group at UNC, she enjoys working on developing new C–H functionalization methodologies. Outside of lab, Raina enjoys cooking, lifting weights, reading, and playing with her dog!