Principal Investigator

Emily Pentzer: Office: Millis 418C  Email: ebp24@case.edu
PhD thesis:  http://gradworks.umi.com/34/19/3419077.html

Pentzer_CWRU_CV-Full

Professor Emily Pentzer grew up in south central Indiana and received a BS in chemistry from Butler University (2005) where she did research in characterizing the fox squirrel population and characterizing the compounds of caramelized carbohydrates. She then went on to earn her PhD in organic chemistry from Northwestern University (2010), where her thesis work focused on metathesis routes for preparing and polymerizing unsaturated medium-sized lactones and lactams under the direction of Professor Sonbinh T. Nguyen; during this time she held an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. She then worked as a postdoc with Professor Todd Emrick in the Polymer Science and Engineering Department at UMass Amherst where she focused on the synthesis and assembly of electronically active materials (quantum dots and conjugated polymers) for organic photovoltaics as part of the DOE EFRC on Polymer-Based Materials for Harvesting Solar Energy. In 2013, Dr. Pentzer joined the faculty at Case Western Reserve University in the Department of Chemistry and received a secondary appointment in Macromolecular Science and Engineering in 2015. Her research uses organic synthesis to access new materials and assemblies as a route to understand structure-property relationships and access properties not possible with current state-of-the-art systems. Dr. Pentzer has received several awards including the NSF-CAREER award, was named an ACS PMSE Young Investigator in 2017, and serves as an Associate Editor for the RSC journal Polymer Chemistry as well as the publicity chair for the Polymer Division (POLY) of the American Chemical Society.

Undergraduate school: Butler University Department of Chemistry, Anne Wilson

Graduate school: Northwestern University Department of Chemistry, Sonbinh Nguyen

Postdoctoral position: UMass Amherst Polymer Science and Engineering, Todd Emrick

Current Members

Post Docs

Currently, there are no postdocs in the Pentzer Lab.

PhD Students

Peiran Wei (2014-present) (Peiran CV) Email: pxw182@case.edu

Peiran is working on his PhD. degree in Dr. Pentzer’s group after earning his B.S. in chemistry at Wuhan Institute of Technology in China. He  loves art (especially origami and sketching) as well as rock music, he hopes to be an artist in fifty years. His is also very good at badminton – watch out! Peiran spent one year in the Pentzer Lab as an MS student and then joined as a PhD student. Peiran is currently working on the preparation of tailored 2D materials data storage in a quaternary code.

Yuanhui received his BS from Donghua University in China. He started his MS degree at CWRU in 2013 and then advanced to the Ph.D project. For spare time, he likes playing video games. Yuanhui’s research focuses on using silly ketenes to build functional polymers and small molecules.

Qinmo Luo (2016-present) Email: qxl135@case.edu

After receiving her B.S. degree at Tianjin University of Science and Technology at China, Qinmo earned her M.S. at CWRU department of chemistry working with Dr. Pentzer, before she was then admitted to the PhD program.  She is passionate for trying new things, especially food, from all over the world. Swimming, ukulele and cooking are also things she enjoys for life outside work. Qimo’s research focuses on using Pickering-type emulsions to template new hybrid materials with 2D nano sheets.

Sarah Mitchell (2016-present) Email: smm253@case.edu

Sarah is from Erie, Pennsylvania and she earned her B.S. in chemistry at Mercyhurst University.  In her spare time, she likes to read and and listen to music.  Sarah’s research focuses on using silly ketenes to build novel functional polymers by chain growth polymerizations.

Maria Escamilla (2018-present) Email: mxe180@case.edu

Maria comes to us from warm and sunny California. She earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University Los Angeles (CSULA). While at CSULA, she worked on the synthesis of resorcinarene based macrocycles. She is currently working with Pickering type emulsions and deep eutectic solvents. During her free time, she enjoys going out and trying new restaurants, hiking, and going to concerts.

Katelynn Edgehouse (2017-present) Email: kje17@case.edu

Katelynn is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and earned her undergraduate degree from Cleveland State University. While at Cleveland State, she was a member of the Ball research group. Katelynn’s research focuses on investigating the intimate interactions of graphene oxide and inorganic nanosheets and exploiting their hybrid structure to generate robust, new architectures. Outside of lab, her hobbies include running, baking, crafting, and watching her favorite sports team – the Cleveland Indians.

Kevin Pachuta (2016-present, joint with Prof. Alp Sehirlioglu of CWRU Mat Sci) Email: kgp22@case.edu

Kevin is a graduate of John Carroll University where he received a B.S. in Chemistry in 2016. As an undergraduate, Kevin completed two summer internships at Sherwin-Williams and was a research assistant to Professor Michael Setter of John Carroll University. Kevin is now pursing a M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). He is co-advised by Professor Pentzer and Professor Alp Sehirlioglu of the CWRU’s Materials Science and Engineering department . Kevin’s primary research focuses on the formation, characterization and functionalization of two-dimensional freestanding oxides as a way to further the understanding and capabilities of two-dimensional structures. Kevin will continue to the PhD program in 2018.

MS Students

Houming Leng (2017-present) 

Houming earned his B.S in China , then went to Oregon State University for a foundation studying of chemical engineering until 2016. He is now pursuing his M.S degree in chemistry in Case Western Reserve University. He interested in organic synthesis and all things about chemical engineering. In his spare time, he likes to read books , play cello and watch movies.

Yifei Wang (2017-present)

Yifei earned her B.S. degree in Pharmacy at Jilin University in China. She is now pursuing her MS degree in Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University. She’s interested in polymers, nanomaterials, and organic synthesis. Outside of lab, Yifei  likes playing the piano and reading books.

Undergraduate Students

Christina Hemmingsen (2017-present, will graduate in 2020) Email: cmh173@case.edu

Christina is from Columbus, Ohio and graduated Valedictorian from Worthington Christian Schools.  She plans is a chemistry major and aspires to go to grad school after she graduates.  Christina has studied violin for ten years and currently plays in the Case University Circle Orchestra.  Food is a secondary passion of hers and she loves to cook (and eat).  Christina works on using graphene oxide nanosheets to build functional materials. Christina was an REU student at UMass Amherst summer 2018, and is studying abroad at University of New South Wales in Australia spring 2019.

Lee Kendall (2017-present)

Lee is from Roger, Arkansas and graduate from Rogers High School.  He is a senior majoring in Materials Science and Engineering and hopes to attend graduate school for his Ph.D. after he graduates.  He enjoys travelling, cooking, playing the violin, and experiencing new things.
Lee is working with Kevin Pachuta on 2D metal oxides.

Madelyn McMillen (2017-present, will graduate in 2019)

Madelyn is from Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Strongsville High School. She is a junior majoring in Chemistry and hopes to attend medical school after graduating. She enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and playing with cats. Madelyn works on functionalizing graphene oxide with Peiran.

Hobart Chen (2018-present)

Alexis Amburgey (2018-present, will graduate in 2019)

Alexis is from Ada, Ohio and graduated from Ada High School. She is a senior Chemistry major with minors in Biology and Sports Medicine. She will be attending Ohio Dominican University in the fall in pursuit of a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies. She enjoys basketball, watching movies, and traveling. Alexis helps synthesize and functionalize silyl ketenes with Sarah Mitchell.

Stephanie Young (2018-present)

David Yan (2019-present)

David is from Dublin, California and graduated valedictorian of Dublin High School. So far, he is considering double majoring in Chemistry and Biology. David, in collaboration with Peiran and Madelyn, works on utilizing functionalized graphene oxide to generate novel contrasting agents. He is also concurrently in Professor Xin Qi’s lab where he investigates novel drug treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. David after graduation hopes to pursue an MD/PhD in medicinal chemistry. When he’s not glued to a lab bench, he likes to travel, cook, and relax with friends

High School Students

Former members

Post Docs

PhD Students

MS Students

Undergraduates

REU Students

High School Students