Summer 2022
Allison Goehl
a464g411@ku.edu
Allison Goehl is a rising junior at the University of Kansas majoring in chemical engineering with a biomedical emphasis. For the 2022 REU Program, Allison is working in Dr. Dhar’s lab guided by Megan Hamilton. Her research investigates hyaluronic acid hydrogels for the release of proteins as well as their rheological properties. She plans to continue this research project beyond the REU and aspires to attend graduate school. In her free time, Allison enjoys hiking, art, and houseplants.
Clarice Sabolay
cmlay18@ku.edu
Claire is a rising junior studying chemical engineering with a biomedical emphasis. In Dr. Shiflett’s lab, she will be working with CJ Ponge on the adsorption of PFAS using zeolites. Outside of research, Claire is involved in Engineers without Borders and Society of Women Engineers. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing, and watching movies.
Yuniva Mendoza
ymendoz2@ku.edu
Yuniva Mendoza is a rising senior at Meredith College and North Carolina State University, double majoring in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. She is working with Abby Harders in Dr. Shiflett’s lab on exploring the use of polymeric membranes for the separation of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant mixtures for the 2022 Porous Materials REU. She hopes to learn many new research skills and continue to use them in the future. Yuniva is thinking about going to graduate school after completing her undergraduate degree. In her free time, she enjoys photography, going to Marvel movie premiers, and going out to try new boba tea places.
Titus Szobody
tpszobod@ncsu.edu
Titus is a junior in Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University with a concentration in nanoscience. He works on developing energy harvesters by utilizing hydrogels with liquid metal particle electrodes in the Dickey lab at North Carolina State University. At the University of Kansas, he works in the Allgeier lab on producing bimetallic catalysts for ring-opening hydrodeoxygenation reactions on furanic compounds. The aim of this research is to optimize the yield and selectivity of renewably-sourced monomers from biomass in these reactions. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the piano and soccer.
Nick Gorschak
NJG44@pitt.edu
Nick Gorschak is a rising senior Chemical Engineering major at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown. Nick is working with Siakpebru Kingsley and receiving mentorship from Dr. Morais over the summer as a 2022 IDEA Incubator REU participant. The project he is working on is focused on the catalytic conversion of biomass into fuels and other platform chemicals. He hopes to continue studying Chemical Engineering in graduate school and pursue his PhD. In his spare time Nick enjoys fishing, skiing, and music.
Ravi Nataraj
ravikiran.nataraj@gmail.com
Ravi Nataraj is a rising senior at Auburn University majoring in Chemical Engineering with a Biomedical concentration. He is researching with Kyley Burkey in Dr. Robinson’s lab for the 2022 IDEA Incubator for Porous Materials REU. His research involves modulating the mechanical properties of hydrogels, specifically hyaluronic acid, to support meniscal fibrochondrocyte proliferation. After graduation, he hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a Ph.D. in Bioengineering. Besides research, Ravi enjoys powerlifting, table tennis, 3D printing, and hunting butterflies.
Tyler Tankersley
tyler.tankersley@ku.edu
Tyler Tankersley is going into her junior year at KU. She is studying chemical engineering with a biomedical emphasis and minor. She is working in Dr. Robinson’s lab this summer. In her lab, Tyler is working with a technique called electrospinning. The lab’s overarching theme is working with the meniscus of the knee. Tyler is originally from Colorado and adores hiking, swimming, dancing and running.
Alyson Ransom
alyson.nichole@outlook.com
Alyson is a rising junior at Brigham Young University, majoring in chemical engineering and minoring in Portuguese. She works as a research assistant at BYU in a biomedical engineering lab studying the concentration and separation of bacteria in blood for microfluidic antibiotic susceptibility testing. This summer at KU, Alyson is working in Dr. Prajna Dhar’s lab studying the rheology of methacrylated hyaluronic acid hydrogels for the delivery of therapeutic proteins. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Alyson is considering working in the pharmaceutical industry or going to graduate school. In her free time, she enjoys running.
Kaitlin Colle
kaitlinc605@gmail.com
Kaitlin Colle is a rising senior at Kansas State University, majoring in Chemical Engineering while completing the requirements for Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She is also on track to complete a Biological Engineering secondary degree. She is working with Joseph Scalet in Dr. Gehrke’s lab on characterizing the mechanical properties of new materials for use in hydrogels and many biomedical applications. Kaitlin is currently planning on applying to a College of Veterinary Medicine as well as pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Health to aid in her overall goal of contributing to the One Health Initiative. She is involved in many different organizations, such as the KSU Marching Band, Pre-Health Ambassadors, and the Steel Ring Engineering Society. In her free time, she loves being outdoors with her animals, shooting archery, watching movies with friends, or discovering a new book.
Alex Hardinger
hardinger_alex@ku.edu
Alex is a rising senior at KU pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering with a biomedical emphasis. She is studying the oxidation of amino acids and simple peptides on copper catalysts as part of the KU REU 2022 REU program, with Dr. Bravo as her faculty mentor. During the school year, Alex is a Resident Assistant and a member of Marching Band, Basketball Band, KU Equestrian Team, and various engineering societies and clubs. In her free time, Alex enjoys art, reading, gaming, and hiking.
Institute for Sustainable Engineering 