Spotlights
The goal of this initiative is to highlight the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in the Department of Chemistry and help our community develop stronger connections and synergies. You can think of these spotlights as the beginning of a conversation that we very much hope you will continue in the corridors of Hutch and beyond.
If you wish to contribute to this initiative, please complete our questionnaire.
Behind the Test Tube: Q&A
May 16, 2025
Rose Kennedy
Associate Professor
A Rochester must?
Get outdoors and explore the many, many parks in the area. I especially enjoy avoiding the crowds from the Lilac Festival and appreciating Highland Park in all its other seasons.
April 11, 2025
David McCamant
Associate Professor
What do you like to do when not in the department?
I’m a dad, so my non-work time is busy with family. My kids are pretty big now, so family demands are tapering off actually, but there’s always lots of cooking and cleaning to do. I also love bicycling and repairing bicycles, so I do lots of that.
March 11, 2025
Michael Piacquadio
Graduate Student
What is your proudest accomplishment while at the UofR?
I’ve recently found great interest in birds, and I spotted a beautiful Pileated Woodpecker right next to Hutchison Hall!
February 27, 2025
Katie Knowles
Associate Professor
Why did you choose chemistry as a career?
I love the combination of analytical/quantitative thinking and hands-on experimentation.
January 3, 2025
Rebecca Reagan
Undergraduate Student
A Rochester must?
Visiting the Rochester Public Market in the summer is an absolute bucket list item!
December 6, 2024
Emily Breitbart
Graduate Program Coordinator
What is your proudest accomplishment at the UofR?
Supporting students throughout their time in the chemistry graduate program.
November 5, 2024
Ritty Mohan
Graduate Student
Fun fact or quote?
I am a trained Classical Bharatanatyam dancer!
October 7, 2024
Matthew Gleason
Undergraduate Student
A Rochester must?
Seeing a concert or musical at Eastman.
September 3, 2024
Yishu Jiang
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Why did you choose chemistry as a career?
I chose chemistry because I like shining colorful compounds I made.
August 5, 2024
Liz Piedmont
Graduate Student, Partridge Group
Fun fact or quote:
I have over 700 hours in my Animal Crossing game!
July 8, 2024
Medina Afandiyeva
Graduate Student, Kennedy Group
What do you like to do when not on campus?
I always try to travel to new places whenever I have a chance. I love connecting with new cultures through learning their lifestyle, traditions, and languages.
June 6, 2024
Ignacio Gustin
Graduate Student, Franco Group
Proudest accomplishment:
My proudest accomplishment at the University of Rochester isn't something I've done alone—it's the community we've built within the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS).
May 6, 2024
Ellie Vetack
Undergraduate Scholar
Proudest accomplishment:
Founding oSTEM (Out in STEM) at the University of Rochester!
April 30, 2024
Cay McNichol
Graduate Student, Paradine Group
Why chemistry:
I chose chemistry because I love the challenges and problem-solving aspects that come along with research, the opportunity to collaborate with others, and that every day at work can be fast paced and unique.
March 28, 2024
Agnes Thorarinsdottir
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Where is home/Where did you grow up?
I am born and raised in Akureyri, a town with a population of ~20,000 in North Iceland, right south of the Artic Circle.
January 16, 2024
Maggie Scholer
Undergraduate Student, Chemistry/Earth and Environmental Sciences
Hobbies:
I really enjoy hiking, skiing, and reading. I'm currently studying in New Zealand and have been using my free time to get outside as often as possible!
April 14, 2023
Chari Peter
Graduate Student, Matson Lab
A Rocking Holiday:
In my opinion the best holiday is the Independence season in Dominica. It is the time in which we celebrate our rich heritage with music, dancing, tasty dishes and numerous colorful events such as Heritage Day, Creole Day, and Market Day.
February 3, 2023
Xijue (Jade) Wu
Undergraduate Student, Kennedy Lab
Why chemistry:
I hope to make a contribution to the pharmaceutical field so that fewer people will suffer from diseases.
January 3, 2023
Erica Craddock
Graduate Student
Why chemistry:
It all clicked for me when I learned the mineral gypsum is also known as calcium sulfate because I could use chemistry to describe the natural world right in front of me. And I haven’t stopped since!
December 8, 2022
Loren Cardani
Undergraduate Student
Why chemistry:
I love learning about the chemistry behind biological processes. Figuring out how to manipulate molecules to cause biological changes is so fascinating!
November 29, 2022
Shannon Cooney
Graduate Student
Proudest accomplishment:
My Chem. Sci. paper that came out in August that I worked on with an REU student over the summer. I love the opportunity to work with undergraduate students!
May 2, 2022
Donna Dolan
Purchaser/Receptionist
Favorite quote:
"To live each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, without apathy, without pretense." by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius
April 11, 2022
Yu Gu
Graduate Student
Ask me about:
Best Chinese/Szechuan restaurant in town; how to make an authentic Szechuan hot pot; life in a mountain city.
April 4, 2022
Donggeon (Albert) Nam
Graduate Student
Favorite pastime(s):
I'm a big gamer nerd, video, board or otherwise, both socially and anti-socially.
March 28, 2022
Jackson Hernandez
Graduate Student
Why chemistry:
I had the best AP chemistry teacher.
March 21, 2022
Jordan Butt
Graduate Student
An inspiring book:
"I am Malala", Malala Yousafzai—for the lengths she goes to receive an education. It is very powerful.
March 14, 2022
Kara Bren
Richard S. Eisenberg Professor in Chemistry
Why chemistry:
I chose chemistry because I like how it links to other areas of science—geology, biology, and physics. I especially enjoy working at the interfaces of fields.
March 7, 2022
Courtney Stanford
Assistant Professor of Teaching
Ask me about:
Traveling. I'm always looking for new places to visit and I like learning where others have explored.
February 23, 2022
Shauna Paradine
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Proudest accomplishment:
My research group—I'm so fortunate to be able to work with a group of folks who are wildly talented scientists AND incredible human beings.
December 9, 2021
Robin Clark
Graduate Coordinator, Course Administrator
Why our department:
I enjoy meeting brilliant students during visitation and eventually guiding them throughout their time as PhD students.
December 1, 2021
Aleksa Milosavljevic
Graduate Student
Why chemistry:
I was always a fan of Severus Snape and potion-making.
November 24, 2021
Eric Schreiber
Graduate Student
Ask me about:
The Jonas Brothers (fellow Jersey Boys!)
November 17, 2021
Elliot Silk
Chemistry Senior, Kennedy Lab
Fun fact:
If I didn't love chemistry so much, I would open a coffee shop and work full-time as a barista.
October 20, 2021
Geemi Wellawatte
PhD Student, White Lab
Where did you grow up:
I was born and raised in Sri Lanka, a small tropical island in the Indian ocean.
October 13, 2021
Karla Rosalía Sánchez Liévanos
Graduate Student, Knowles Group
An inspiring book:
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. I don't want to spoil it, so go and give it a read. For me, it was a life changer.
October 6, 2021
Sue Cardinal
STEM Librarian
A Rochester must:
Smell the lilacs!
September 22, 2021
José L. Alvarez-Hernández
Graduate Student
Proudest accomplishment:
The community of friends that I have helped build here.
September 15, 2021
Ray Teng
Senior Lab Engineer
Why chemistry:
My career started in geology. Through metamorphism, my geological career transformed into the energetic world of physics. With the high energy and intense forces acting on my career, it was only a matter of time before it morphed into chemistry.
September 9, 2021
Todd Krauss
Professor
Proudest accomplishment:
When students leave the group and go on to become highly successful at what they choose to do.
September 3, 2021
Kaelyn McFarlane Connelly
Chemistry Senior, Goldwater Scholar
Why chemistry:
When I was in elementary school, I wanted to understand why most cookie recipes asked for softened butter (not melted or cold). That lead me down a long rabbit hole that resulted in me being a chemistry major, and then wanting to continue to a career in research!