College of Arts and Sciences

Principle Investigator

Dr. Clemens Burda

PhD, University Basel | Basel, Switzerland
Post-Doc, Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, Georgia

Professor Burda’s research interests include femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy and time-resolved imaging of molecules, semiconductor and metallic nanomaterials, as well as renewable energy materials.

One major research pursuit in the Burda group is the development of imaging modalities to identify early-stage diseases, light-driven therapies, and their photothermal management. A second major thrust is the studies of nanomaterials for energy harvesting, conversion, and storage. His work has been funded by NSF, NIH, DOE, NASA, and industry.

Doctorate Students

Sarah Springer

5th Year PhD
ses224@case.edu
Pennsylvania, United States
B.S. in Biochemistry, Westminster College
M.S. in Chemistry, Youngstown State University

Her current research focus is “Design and Development of Nanocarriers for Stimuli-triggered Drug Release”. Other than that she loves outdoor activities when she is not doing science.

Ibrahim Alfurayj

5th Year PhD
iaa23@case.edu
Hofuf, Saudi Arabia
B.S. in Chemistry, King Faisal University
M.S. in Chemistry, Ohio University

His current research focus is “Deep Eutectic Solvent Systems and Solvation Dynamics”. Apart from his research he is a family person, who loves to help others and cook for his friends and family. Besides, he also likes to play board games in his leisure time.

Rathiesh Pandian

3rd Year PhD
rrp45@case.edu
New Jersey, United States
B.S. in Biochemistry, Miami University

His current research focus is “Femtosecond relaxation dynamics of deep eutectic solvents”. Other than that he loves to play soccer and weight-lifting in his leisure time. Besides, he is a good cook.

Mai Rashwan

3rd Year PhD
msr136@case.edu
Ismailia, Egypt
B.S. in Chemistry, Suez Canal University
M.S. in Chemistry, Suez Canal University

Her current research focus is “Photothermal Properties of Nanofluids”. When she is not doing science, she loves to swim and fishing as her hobby.

Desiree Mae Prado

2nd Year PhD
dxp421@case.edu
South Cotabato, Philippines
B.S. in Chemistry, University of the Philippines Diliman
M.S. in Energy Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman

Her current research focus is “Electrochemistry of Deep Eutectic Solvent Systems”. Other than that she loves to read books, fond of cooking and walking outside when the weather is good.

Zoey Lockwood

2nd Year PhD
zal15@case.edu
Ohio, United States
B.S. in Biochemistry, Ashland University

Her current research focus is “Next-Generation Gold Nanoparticle Cancer Therapeutics”. She loves to spend times with her friends and family. Other than that she enjoys weight-lifting, reading, hiking and getting the pictures of the sunset.

Hamza Shaili

1st Year PhD
hxs886@case.edu
Casablanca, Morocco
B.S. in Physics, Hassan II University
M.S. in Energy Engineering, Mohammed V University

His current research focus is “Materials for solar energy conversion”. In his leisure time, he likes to practice his boxing skills and weight-lifting.

Md Sirajul Islam

1st Year PhD
mxi193@case.edu
Dhaka, Bangladesh
B.S. in Chemistry, Khulna University

His current research focus is “Nanomaterial Synthesis for Energy Harvesting and Conversion”. He is an avid reader, who is obsessed with history and fond of traveling places. Other than that he is an enthusiastic cook, too.

Exchange Students

Stefane Lira

3rd Year PhD
sxd870@case.edu
Goias, Brazil
B.S. in Chemistry, Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia
M.S. in Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Goiás

Her current research focus is “Ceramic Perovskites for Energy Harvesting”. Other than that when she is not doing science, she loves to sing.

Master’s Students

Preston Willis

1st Year MS
pmw54@case.edu
Missouri, United States
B.S. in Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University

His current research focus is “Computational Elucidation of Solvent Systems”. Other than that he loves playing games on virtual platforms.

Undergraduate Students

Alumni

Visiting Scholars

Postdoctoral Alumni