Adamson Group Alumni
Former graduate students who have contributed to our research in materials science, polymer chemistry, and nanotechnology. Below are their first author publications and key contributions to the field.
Research areas include: graphene composites, polymer synthesis, block copolymer assembly, biomimetic materials, surface chemistry, and advanced nanomaterials processing.
Alumni Contributions
Our alumni have made significant contributions to materials science through their independent research, leading to publications in top-tier journals and patents that continue to advance the field.
Recent Alumni
Michael J. Joyce
Email: mjjoyce522@gmail.com
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2023
Current Position: Coatings Development Engineer at Lightera | 
First Author Publications:
- “Activation of Ostwald ripening and electrical conductivity in polyHIPEs through the addition of ascorbic acid to graphene-stabilized emulsions” Polymer 293, 126628 (2024)
- “Polyphenol modification of graphene-stabilized emulsions to form electrically conductive polymer spheres” Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 653, 327-337 (2024)
Sean T. McDermott
Email: seant.mcdermott330@gmail.com
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2022
Current Position: Scientist at Sun Chemical |
First Author Publications:
- “Transparent conductive PEDOT–graphene films from large-flake graphite” Synthetic Metals 312, 117866 (2025)
- “Surface-Initiated Passing-Through Polymerization on a Rubber Substrate: Supplying Monomer from Swollen Substrates” Macromolecules 55 (16), 7265-7272 (2022)
Prabodha G. Abeykoon
Email: rathnayaka.gayathree_abeykoon@uconn.edu
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2022
LinkedIn:
First Author Publications:
- “Chromatographic Approach to Isolate Exfoliated Graphene” Langmuir 37 (31), 9378-9384 (2021)
Franklin Bundoo
Email: franklin.bundoo@uconn.edu
Degree: M.S. Chemistry, 2023
LinkedIn:
Research Focus: Graphene oxide concrete composites
Graduate Alumni
Shawn P. Ward
Email: shawn.ward@uconn.edu
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2020
Current Position: Polymer Scientist Lead at Chevron Phillips Chemical Company |
First Author Publications:
- “Solvent-free direct PEGylation of collagen fibers” ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering 8 (12), 5101-5109 (2022)
- “Graphene’s effect on the mechanism of radical polymerization with in situ graphene composites” Carbon Trends 9, 100233 (2022)
- “Effect of Aqueous Anions on Graphene Exfoliation” Langmuir 36 (35), 10421-10428 (2020)
Deepthi Varghese
Email: deepthi.varghese05@gmail.com
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2019
Current Position: Packaging R&D Engineer at Intel Corporation |
Thesis: “Harnessing the Potential of Polymer–Graphene Composite for Energy Storage and Filtration” (Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2019)
First Author Publications:
- “Self-Assembled Graphene Composites for Flow-Through Filtration” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 12 (26), 29692-29699 (2020)
Garrett M. Kraft
Email: garrett.kraft@gmail.com
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2019
Current Position: Innovation Manager at medmix |
Thesis: “Templating the Formation of Multidimensional Hybrid Materials and Composites” (Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2019)
First Author Publications:
- “Electrospun biomimetic catalytic polymer template for the sol-gel formation of multidimensional ceramic structures” Materials Letters 240, 242-245 (2018)
Patents:
- “Ceramic Foams with Imbedded Self-Assembled Electrically Conductive Pristine Graphene Networks” US Patent App. 17/552,178 (2022)
Chinthani D. Liyanage
madduma.dulanthika@uconn.edu
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2021
Current: Process Engineer at Intel Corporation |
First Author Publications:
- “Synthesis of graphene oxide: effect of sonication during oxidation” Carbon 223, 119047 (2024)
- “Pristine graphene microspheres by the spreading and trapping of graphene at an interface” Langmuir 35 (44), 14310-14315 (2019)
Patents:
- “Graphene-Polyamide Composite Membranes and Microparticles” US Patent Application 20220387940A1 (2022)
Taoran (Martin) Hui
taoran.hui@uconn.edu
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2020
LinkedIn:
First Author Publications:
- “Kinetic study of surfactant-free graphene exfoliation at a solvent interface” Carbon 168, 354-361 (2020)
Elizabeth E.B. Brown
elizabeth.2.brown@uconn.edu
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2020
LinkedIn:
First Author Publications:
- “PolyHIPE foams from pristine graphene: Strong, porous, and electrically conductive materials templated by a 2D surfactant” Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 580, 700-708 (2020)
Patents:
- “Two-Dimensional Sheet Stabilized Emulsion Based Inks” US Patent Application 20230235186A1 (2023)
Feiyang Chen
feiyang.chen@uconn.edu
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2020
Current: Postdoctoral Associate at UMass Chan Medical School |
First Author Publications:
- “Interface-exfoliated graphene-based conductive screen-printing inks: low-loading, low-cost, and additive-free” Scientific Reports 10 (1), 18047 (2020)
Patents:
- “Two-Dimensional Sheet Stabilized Emulsion Based Inks” US Patent Application 20230235186A1 (2023)
Chau Reidy (Vy)
ngoc_chau.vy@uconn.edu
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2020
Current: Senior Scientist at Exponent, Inc. |
First Author Publications:
- “Surface-initiated passing-through zwitterionic polymer brushes for salt-selective and antifouling materials” Macromolecules 53 (22), 10278-10288 (2020)
Senior Alumni
Harish V. Kumar
Email: k6harish@gmail.com
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2018
Current Position: FA Engineer at Amazon |
Thesis: “Characterization of Graphene Oxide” (Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2019)
First Author Publications:
- “Evolution of Heterogeneity and Chemical Functionality during the Oxidation of Graphite” Colloids and Interfaces 6 (3), 44 (2022)
- “Altering and investigating the surfactant properties of graphene oxide” Journal of colloid and interface science 493, 365-370 (2017)
- “Fractionation and characterization of graphene oxide by oxidation extent through emulsion stabilization” Carbon 98, 491-495 (2016)
Patents:
- “Fractionation of Graphene Oxide Through Emulsion Stabilization” US Patent 10,266,413 (2019)
Steven J. Woltornist
Email: steven.woltornist@gmail.com
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2015
Current Position: Senior Product Development Manager at Marmon Water |
Thesis: “Pristine Graphene as a Two-Dimensional Surfactant” (Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2016)
First Author Publications:
- “Controlled 3D assembly of graphene sheets to build conductive, chemically selective and shape‐responsive materials” Advanced Materials 29 (18), 1604947 (2017)
- “Properties of pristine graphene composites arising from the mechanism of graphene-stabilized emulsion formation” Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 55 (24), 6777-6782 (2016)
- “Polymer/pristine graphene based composites: From emulsions to strong, electrically conducting foams” Macromolecules 48 (3), 687-693 (2015)
- “Preparation of conductive graphene/graphite infused fabrics using an interface trapping method” Carbon 81, 38-42 (2015)
- “Conductive thin films of pristine graphene by solvent interface trapping” ACS nano 7 (8), 7062-7066 (2013)
Patents:
- “Formation of a Transparent Conductive Film by Interfacial Graphene Assembly” US Patent 9,685,261 (2017)
- “Graphene/Graphite Polymer Composite Foam Derived from Emulsions Stabilized by Graphene Kinetic Trapping” US Patent 11,355,259 (2022)
- “Boron Nitride Polymer Composite Foam Derived from Emulsions Stabilized by Boron Nitride Kinetic Trapping” US Patent 11,355,259 (2022)
- “Method of Infusing Fibrous Substrate with Conductive Organic Particles and Conductive Polymer” US Patent 10,002,686 (2018)
Jennifer L. Frias (Bento)
bentojenn@gmail.com
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2016
Current: Advanced Technology Scientist at Nye Lubricants (FUCHS Group) |
Thesis: “Synthesis and Modification of Pristine Graphene Composites” (Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2016)
First Author Publications:
- “Thermal and Electrical Properties of Nanocomposites Based on Self‐Assembled Pristine Graphene” Advanced Functional Materials 27 (1), 1604277 (2017)
- “Azeotrope enabled polymerization of ethylene oxide” RSC Advances 6 (97), 94459-94466 (2016)
Reihaneh Mohammadi Sejoubsari
reihaneh.mohammadi.s@gmail.com
Current: Senior R&D Manager at Flexcon |
Thesis: “Self-Assembled Biocompatible Polymers at Interfaces” (Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2016)
First Author Publications:
- “Electrically conducting porous hydrogels by a self-assembled percolating pristine graphene network” Soft Matter (2025)
- “‘Grafting-through’: growing polymer brushes by supplying monomers through the surface” Macromolecules 49 (7), 2477-2483 (2016)
Kevin Y.S. Huang
khuang05@gmail.com
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2015
Current: Chemistry Teacher at Westfield High School |
Thesis: “High Molecular Weight Surfactants for the Formation of Complex Emulsions” (Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2015)
First Author Publications:
- “Robust coaxial capillary microfluidic device for the high throughput formation of polymersomes” Microfluidics and Nanofluidics 18, 149-157 (2015)
Zhenhua Cui
unicuizhenhua@gmail.com
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2015
Current: Lead Data Scientist at DuPont |
Thesis: “Boron Nitride Nanosheets and Their Applications in Polymeric Composites” (Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2015)
First Author Publications:
- “Boron nitride surface activity as route to composite dielectric films” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 7 (31), 16913-16916 (2015)
- “PMMA functionalized boron nitride sheets as nanofillers” Nanoscale 7 (22), 10193-10197 (2015)
- “Large scale thermal exfoliation and functionalization of boron nitride” Small 10 (12), 2352-2355 (2014)
Patents:
- “Dielectric Materials Using 2D Nanosheet Network Interlayer” US Patent 11,004,606 (2021)
Andrey P. Martinez
dremart11@gmail.com
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2015
Current: Senior Scientist at DSM |
Thesis: “Polymer Brushes: Surface-Initiated and Bottlebrush Self-Assembly” (Ph.D. Polymer Chemistry, 2015)
First Author Publications:
- “Distribution of chains in polymer brushes produced by a ‘grafting from’ mechanism” Macromolecules 49 (2), 547-553 (2016)
- “Synthesis and self-assembly of toothbrush-like block copolymers” Macromolecules 48 (13), 4250-4255 (2015)
Chetan C. Hire
chetanchire@gmail.com
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2013
Current: Director of Technical Operations at ProteoWise |
Thesis: “Condensation of Ceramics Using Synthetic Block Copolymer Mimic of Silicatein-α” (Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2013)
First Author Publications:
- “Titania Condensation by a Bio-Inspired Synthetic Block Copolymer” Chemistry of Materials 25 (10), 2056-2063 (2013)
- “Directed formation of silica by a non-peptide block copolymer enzyme mimic” Journal of Materials Chemistry B 1 (14), 1977-1984 (2013)
Andrew J. Oyer
oyerajm@gmail.com
Degree: Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2013
Current: Patent Examiner at U.S. Patent & Trademark Office |
Thesis: “Exfoliation and Chemical Modifications of Natural Flake Graphite” (Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2013)
First Author Publications:
- “Stabilization of graphene sheets by a structured benzene/hexafluorobenzene mixed solvent” Journal of the American Chemical Society 134 (11), 5018-5021 (2012)
Drona R. Madugula
maduguladronareddy@gmail.com
Degree: M.S. Chemistry, 2016
Thesis: “Azeotrope Enabled Anionic Polymerization of Ethylene Oxide using Initiators with different Functional groups” (M.S. Chemistry, 2016)
Contributing Author:
- “Azeotrope enabled polymerization of ethylene oxide” RSC Advances 6, 94459-94466 (2016)
Former Members
Cesar Gouveia
Former group member
Michael Stredney
Former group member
Contributing Author:
- “Robust coaxial capillary microfluidic device for the high throughput formation of polymersomes” Microfluidics and Nanofluidics 18, 149-157 (2015)
Gina Macek
Former group member
Contributing Author:
- “Directed formation of silica by a non-peptide block copolymer enzyme mimic” Journal of Materials Chemistry B 1, 1977-1984 (2013)
Andrea Duke
Former group member
Additional Former Members
• Melody Gibson
Undergraduate Researchers
Student Research Contributors
Undergraduate students who have contributed to research in our group, including NSF REU participants and visiting researchers from other institutions.
Frank Valoy
fvaloy@hamilton.edu
Summer 2022 NSF REU
Robert Williams
Undergraduate researcher
Contributing Author:
- “Surface-initiated passing-through zwitterionic polymer brushes for salt-selective and antifouling materials” Macromolecules 53(22), 10278-10288 (2020)
James Fortwengler
jamesfortwengler97@gmail.com
Summer 2019 NSF REU
Cody Schilling
Summer 2016 NSF REU
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Qui Nguyen
Undergraduate researcher
Thomas Xu
Undergraduate researcher
Contributing Author:
- “Electrically conducting porous hydrogels by a self-assembled percolating pristine graphene network” Soft Matter (2025) – Second author
Yuan Rui
Undergraduate researcher
Christopher Chapman
Undergraduate researcher
First Author Publications:
- “Hexagonal boron nitride as a two-dimensional surfactant: low-density flame-resistant composites based on boron nitride exfoliated by an interface trapping technique” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 16 (50), 69901-69907 (2024)
Ashley Santiago
Undergraduate researcher
Contributing Author:
- “Electrospun biomimetic catalytic polymer template for the sol-gel formation of multidimensional ceramic structures” Materials Letters 240, 242-245 (2018)
Mark McFann
Undergraduate researcher
Ian Jorge
Undergraduate researcher
Evan Gentile
Undergraduate researcher
Lai Sze Fung
Undergraduate researcher
Additional Undergraduate Researchers
• Thomas Francis
• Alex Wood
• Adam Woomer
• Sam Weinstein
• Enrico Khu
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Alumni Network
Our alumni continue to advance materials science through their contributions to academia, industry, and innovation. From pioneering graphene processing techniques to developing new polymer synthesis methods, they represent a legacy of scientific excellence and technological advancement.