Graduate Student Advisory Council
The Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC) is the representative body of graduate students that acts as a liaison between the graduate students and the department administration. We organize social, professional, outreach, and recruitment events including the Graduate Research Symposium, professional networking, welcome week, recruitment weekends, Toys for Tots, and the annual Food Drive. We provide bonding opportunities for students and foster a sense of community.
President
Tony Pham
Faculty Advisor: Christopher Rao
Research Topic: Plastic degradation by bacteria
Hobbies: Soccer, Swimming, Taekwondo
Alma Mater: Texas Tech University
Why Illinois? "I like the welcoming community and the collaborative work environment in the ChBE department. I feel like a family member here."
External Vice President
Melanie Fournier
Faculty Advisor: Xiao Su
Research: Photoelectrochemical redox-mediated element recycling
Hobbies: Painting, tap dance, crafting
Alma Mater: Connecticut College
Why Illinois? "I really like the sense of community and the collaborative nature of the research here."
Internal Vice President /
Co-Symposium Chair
Michael Taleff
Faculty Advisor: Damien Guironnet
Research: Precise, automated synthesis of polymers with designed structures
Hobbies: Cycling
Alma Mater: University of Texas at Austin
Why Illinois? "Every aspect of the community. I really enjoy working with the professors here, especially with my advisor and his close collaborators. The student body is also incredible, always friendly and very welcoming."
Treasurer
Trevor Gayer
Faculty Advisor: Baron Peters
Research Topic: Understanding the degradation mechanisms of anion exchange membranes for fuel of cell applications
Hobbies: Watching movies/TV shows
Alma Mater: University of Nevada, Reno
Why Illinois? "Exciting and wide range of research opportunities."
Community Engagement and Symposium Co-Chair
Priyotosh Bairagya (Priyo)
Faculty Advisor: Ying Diao
Research Topic: Organic photovoltaics, Polymer self-assembly
Hobbies: Manga, Anime, War-Movies, Badminton
Alma Mater: Jadavpur University, India
Why Illinois? "Reputed program with diverse research areas besides, of course Urban-Champaign being so livable and having such a great community."
Community Engagement and Symposium Co-Chair
Alyssa Spencer
Faculty Advisor: Nancy Makri
Research Topic: Developing methods to study quantum mechanical processes in large molecules and the condensed phase using the path integral formulation of quantum dynamics.
Hobbies: Crocheting, painting, Minecraft
Alma Mater: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Why Illinois? "Illinois conducts great research in theoretical chemistry and will support their students in achieving both their academic and professional goals. Also, low cost of living."
Professional Development Chair
Emmanuel Ejiogu
Faculty Advisor: Baron Peters
Research: Computational modeling for polymer upcycling
Hobbies: Playing piano
Alma Mater: University of Lagos
Why Illinois? "It has a strong computational chemistry/chemical engineering program. Champaign is also my ideal type of town - calm and nice."
Outreach Chair
Austin Lomas
Faculty Advisor: Ying Diao
Research: Investigating tunable structural color with additive manufacturing and autonomous experimentation.
Hobbies: Baking bread, reading, and Yoga
Alma Mater: Texas Tech University
Why Illinois? "Illinois has a strong spirit of collaboration and camaraderie. I feel really supported and empowered here!"
Communications Chair
Lela Manis
Faculty Advisor: Baron Peters
Research: Computational modeling with rare events techniques from molecular modeling and quantum chemistry.
Hobbies: Crocheting, Playing board games, Brewing
Alma Mater: Tennessee Technological University
Why Illinois? "Illinois has a welcoming community of graduate students, faculty, and staff, all of whom are dedicated to collaboratively contributing to cutting-edge research and educational opportunities."
Past Student Advisory Councils
2022-2023
President: Destiny Collazo
External Vice President: Rajarshi Samajdar
Internal Vice President: Suchi Vijayaraghavan
Professional Development Chair: Gunnar Thompson
Outreach Chair: Darien Raymond
International Chair: Sonji Lamichhane
Communication Chair: Melany Opolz
2021-2022
President: Lauren Endress
External Vice President / Co-Symposium Chair: Richa Ghosh
Internal Vice President / Treasurer: Kyle Timmer
Communications Chair: Rachel Gaines
International Chair / Co-Symposium Chair: Jarom Sederholm
Professional Development Chair: Gunnar Thompson
Outreach Chair: Darien Raymond
2020-2021
President: Victoria Kriuchkovskaia
External VP: Tianhao Yu
Internal VP/Treasurer: David Potts
International Chair/Symposium Chair 1: Azzaya Khasbaatar
Symposium Chair 2: Aashutosh Boob
Outreach Chair: Yash Kamble
Webmaster: Jemin Jeon
Professional Development Chair: Jiachun Shi
2019-2020
President: Chris Torres
Vice President: Lili Bello
Treasurer: Danielle Meyer
Secretary: Caroline Li
Webmaster/Symposium Chair: Armin Shayesteh Zadeh
Outreach/Symposium Chair: Aliki Kolliopoulos