Bren Group
Principal Investigator
Graduate Students
 | Jiwon Han (G4) Incheon, South Korea B.S. Chemistry, Ewha Women's University M.S. Chemistry, Ewha Women's University Email: jhan52@ur.rochester.edu Research: My current research is focusing on |
 | Alison Salamatian (G3) Manchester, Connecticut B.S. Chemistry, University of Connecticut Email: asalamat@ur.rochester.edu Research: My current research focuses on CoMC6*a which is a synthetic enzyme that catalyzes photochemical reduction reactions. Currently, I am characterizing the water-based proton reduction as well as CO2 reduction using this catalyst and quantum dots or organic dyes as photosensitizers. These reactions are of interest for environmentally green and renewable fuels.
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 | Kaye Kuphal (G2) Guilin, China Owensboro, Kentucky B.A. Biochemistry, Colgate University Email: kkuphal@ur.rochester.edu Research: I am excited to work on bioinorganic projects. My research focuses on electrocatalytic nitrite/nitrate reduction using inorganic catalysts. Outside of lab, I am an oboist, pianist, and creative writer. |
 | Ryan Kosko (G2) Greece, NY B.S. Chemistry, SUNY Geneseo Email: rkosko@ur.rochester.edu Research: My research focuses on heavy-metal free systems for artificial photosynthesis. I utilize organic dye photosensitizers and biocatalysts for light-driven hydrogen production. |
 | Nick Colicchio (G1) Pompton Plains, NJ B.S. Biochemistry, Lafayette College I'm excited to begin work on cobalt tripeptide catalysts for electrochemical nitrite and nitrate reduction. Email: ncolicch@ur.rochester.edu |
 | Hafsa Irfan (G1) Lahore, Pakistan B.S. Chemistry, Lahore University of Managment Sciences I'm excited to work in the Bren lab to amalgamate moleculary biology with photochemistry and electrochemistry! My current research would involve expressing and obtaining cobalt metallothionien from E. Coli to be used as a biocatalyst for hydrogen generation.
Email: hirfan@ur.rochester.edu |
 | María Fernanda Lizarazo (G1) Bogotá D.C, Colombia B.S. Chemistry, National University of Colombia My undergrad research experience focused on studying polymers for electrochemical devices using SpecEchem. I am excited to study photochemical and electrochemical systems in the Bren Lab!
Email: mlizaraz@ur.rochester.edu |
Undergraduate Students
 | Hafsa Mohamed Somalia Rochester, NY Email: hmohame6@u.rochester.edu Research: I am Hafsa, pronounced the same as FAFSA. I am a rising third-year undergraduate at the University of Rochester who recently got the chance to work for a summer in the Bren Lab. I intend to continue being here since I loved this opportunity so much. I have been working on CO2 reduction in electrochemical and photochemical systems. |
 | Elise Gendrich Middletown, CT Email: egendric@u.rochester.edu Research: My research focuses on electrochemical nitrate/nitrite reduction using an inorganic catalyst. This work aims to decrease environmentally harmful nitrogen-containing compounds in water. Outside of the lab, I participate in music and theater groups. |
 | Jennifer Peña Brooklyn, New York Email: jpena11@u.rochester.edu Research: I am a rising sophomore at the University of Rochester pursuing a Chemistry and Political Science double major. My research focuses on the synthesis and expression of cobalt enzymes for photochemical applications. |