MICRO Participants: Academic Year ‘24-’25
We invite you to get to know the MICRO participants from the ‘24-’25 academic year.
Axel Magana
Axel Magaña Ponce is a third-year Engineering Physics major with a Mathematics minor at Elmhurst University. His research focuses on photonic computing as a solution to AI’s growing energy demands, designing ring-resonator-based elements on thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) to enable scalable, energy-efficient photonic systems. Using Lumerical simulations, he optimizes resonator geometries to enhance performance metrics like free spectral range and quality factor. Previously, he worked on Li-ion battery safety and contributed to the timing system for the P-ONE neutrino experiment. Outside of research, Axel is a Head Resident Advisor, a math and physics tutor, and enjoys powerlifting, playing the violin, and reading. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in applied physics or materials science.
Gabriella La Cour
Gabriella La Cour is a first-year student at Spelman College, pursuing a major in chemistry and dual degree biomedical engineering, complemented by a minor in mathematics. At Spelman College, she is a Dovey Johnson Roundtree Presidential Scholar, Amazon Future Engineer Scholar, Woman in STEM (WiSTEM) Scholar, and Micron Engineering Leadership Development Scholar. Gabriella La Cour is also an undergraduate research assistant in the Ashley lab. Her research focuses on increasing the engagement of Black women in STEM via the development of an interactive chemistry video game with haircare/skincare modules based on melanin. This past summer, she researched the effect of MSH2 mutations on the yeast cell cycle under Dr. Steve Kioko, observing how specific MSH2 mutations affect yeast cell division. In the future, Gabriella plans to earn a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, with a focus on biomaterials or biofilms. She intends to pursue a career in biomaterials research and development, focusing on the biocompatibility of biomaterials. In her free time, Gabriella enjoys spending time at Spelman’s innovation lab, documenting her time with friends, and growing her collection of Sonny Angels.
Nga (Nerissa) Vu
Nga (Nerissa) Vu is an international student from Vietnam and a junior at Bucknell University majoring in Chemical Engineering working toward Computer Science minor and Material Concentration. Her passion lies in using machine learning and computational programming to develop new materials with properties that meet the world’s unmet needs. Her research at Bucknell was on developing a MATLAB program modeling the kinetic of Secondary Organic Aerosol formed by the oxidation of Monoterpene. In the summer of 2023, Nga worked in Prof. Gomez Bombarelli’s lab to develop a user interface using the Django framework to monitor the output of multiple stages pipeline of high throughput simulations in material discovery. Through MICRO, she is looking forward to develop an automated active learning loop for the prediction of zeolite-osda binding energies. This exploration could lead to the identification of suitable syntheses of new, desired zeolites that have desirable properties for catalyzing sustainable chemical processes. Outside of research and coursework, Nga possesses a passion for leading community-building. She served as Bucknell Engineering Student Board Alumni Committee Chair, Bucknell Research Expo student leader and an active member of Society of Asian Scientist and Engineer as a national volunteer, promoting STEM and Research exposure to individuals and local communities in Vietnam and US.
Neal Haldar
Hi! My name is Neal Haldar, and I am a second year studying chemistry with a minor in public policy at the University of California, Berkeley. When I have free time, I like to play the viola and climb anything I can get my hands on. Currently, my research interests lie at the intersection of new spectroscopies, materials dynamics, and photonics. I hope to one day be a professor in chemistry who inspires the next generation of scientists just as my mentors have done for me.
Sean Lam
Sean Lam is a second-year physics and chemistry double major at Colorado College (CC). At CC, he is a Bridge Scholar, Pathways to SCoRe Fellow, and an astrophysics research assistant in the DK Group. He will be working in the VPD Group at Northwestern with Dr. Roberto dos Reis, employing quantum algorithms and developing quantum machine learning techniques to enhance microscopy data simulation and analysis. In the future, Sean plans to earn a Ph.D. in Applied Physics or Materials Science and Engineering, with aspirations for a career in academia and research. He aims to contribute to impactful, interdisciplinary research while also mentoring future scientists, especially those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Outside of academics and research, Sean enjoys being a student-athlete on the CC Men's Track & Field Team and serves as a videographer for the CC Athletics Department.
Simone Lang
Simone Lang is a fourth-year chemistry student at Texas Woman’s University. Her interests lie in computational chemistry and materials science, particularly metals, catalyst and low-dimensional materials. She has presented at national conferences and co-authored two publications in the Journal of Colloid and Interface Sciences. She will be conducting research in Rodrigo Freitas’ group, specializing in high-entropy alloys for corrosion resistance applications using Monte Carlo simulations. Driven by her passion for computational techniques and machine learning, Simone aims to pursue a Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering, contributing to advancements in the field and addressing environmental challenges. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at the local tutoring center, helping students excel in calculus, and giving back to her community by promoting chemistry education in low-income schools through her role as president of the Kappa Epsilon Mu (KEM) chemistry club at Texas Woman's University.
Mel Andrade-Muñoz
Mel Andrade-Muñoz is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, double majoring in Neuroscience and Computer Science. She is a Chancellor’s Science Scholar, Accelerated Research Scholar, Carolina Covenant Scholar, and aspiring physician-scientist. Her research explores the intersection of technology, molecular neuroscience, and clinical applications to transform neurodegenerative disease management. At UNC, her work has focused on developing an AR/VR environment for neurological monitoring during awake craniotomies. She also investigated cochlear neural wiring at Harvard Medical School, where she earned the H. Robert Horvitz Prize for Outstanding Undergraduate Research.
Through the MICRO Program, she collaborates with the Joester Group at Northwestern to create an atlas of incisor cross-sections and integrate microCT data into enamel densification simulations. Beyond the lab, Mel is passionate about mentorship, technology, and advocacy. She enjoys competing in hackathons, volunteering for , and mentoring the future scientists of the world. Committed to equitable healthcare innovation, she hopes to bridge clinical practice with scientific discovery, developing therapies that preserve neurons, regenerate circuits, and redefine neurodegenerative disease treatment.
Aavash Budhathoki
Originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, Aavash is a senior at Howard University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He conducts research in Dr. Owolabi’s group, focusing on using additive manufacturing to produce novel materials that display superior mechanical properties. As the president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Howard Chapter, he aims to foster a collaborative learning atmosphere, bringing together students from different backgrounds to build projects on robotics. Interested in developing and characterizing novel materials, he intends to pursue a Ph.D. in Materials Science, aiming to open up new avenues for structural, aerospace, and energy applications. At Northwestern, he is working with Dr. Ian McCue to carry out finite element analysis of Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) for designing complex hollow parts using refractory materials. In his free time, Aavash can be found watching soccer, reading One Piece, or enjoying a power nap.
Taylor Johnson
Taylor Johnson is a fourth-year mechanical engineering student at the University of Florida with an interest in solar thermochemical and electrochemical energy conversion. She spent the past year interning at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where her work focused on a techno-economic analysis of a hybrid photovoltaic-concentrated solar power system coupled with particle thermal energy storage. Her current work at UF, where she is a research assistant in the Renewable Energy Conversion Laboratory, focuses on the development of a machine-learning model to predict the efficiency of a solar collector, which is used to inform a techno-economic solar industrial process heat model. Taylor will continue researching applications of machine learning in her work with Dr. Yang Shao-Horn at MIT, where she will explore the use of ML algorithms in discovering novel lithium-ion conductors to improve the performance and safety of electrochemical devices like fuel cells and batteries. In her free time, Taylor serves as the design lead for UF’s Engineers Without Borders team, where she works on water quality and distribution projects for Maras-Ayllu, Peru.
Kaito Chukwuka
Kaito Chukwuka is a junior at the University of Southern Mississippi, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, majoring in Polymer Engineering. His research focuses on advanced materials for energy and bioengineering applications, with a particular interest in wearable and flexible electronics. At his home institution, Kaito is actively involved in the Xiaodan Gu Research Lab, where he works on flexible electronics and solar cell fabrication for sustainable energy solutions.
At MIT, he is currently researching Organic Electrochemical Transistors (OECTs) for biosensing in the Organic Materials for Smart Electronics (OMSE) Lab. Passionate about bridging materials science and healthcare innovation, Kaito envisions a future in smart fabrics—designing textiles that integrate seamlessly with the body for health monitoring and adaptive functionality.
Beyond research, Kaito is committed to scientific communication and has co-authored Math In Case You Missed School and The Power of Energy, making STEM education more accessible to young learners. In his free time, he enjoys creating abstract art and DJing, both of which fuel his creativity and experimental approach to engineering.
Kaito aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in Materials Science, focusing on organic electronics, smart fabrics, and biointegrative devices. His goal is to develop next-generation materials for wearable healthcare, sustainable energy, and human-interfacing technologies—advancing engineering solutions that improve lives on a global scale.
Otito Chukwuka
Otito Chukwuka is a junior at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) majoring in Polymer Science and Engineering. Originally from Nigeria, he is passionate about developing materials that drive innovation in soft electronics, with a particular focus on bioelectronics and wearable technology. His research journey has been shaped by a desire to bridge the gap between advanced materials and real-world applications in healthcare and energy.
At USM, Otito conducts research in Dr. Xiaodan Gu’s Organic Electronics Lab, where he explores the role of polymer morphology in enhancing the performance of conducting materials for organic photovoltaics. This work has equipped him with expertise in materials characterization techniques such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Building on this foundation, he spent a summer at MIT in Dr. Aristide Gumyusenge’s lab, where he investigated how side-chain engineering impacts ion uptake and charge transport in Organic Electrochemical Transistors (OECTs). These devices hold great promise for biosensing applications, particularly in precision medicine and neural interfaces.
Looking ahead, Otito plans to pursue a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, specializing in flexible electronics. His long-term goal is to translate his research into real-world applications, potentially through entrepreneurship. He envisions developing a startup that accelerates the commercialization of bioelectronic devices for healthcare and performance tracking. Through the MICRO Fellowship, he hopes to deepen his expertise in materials innovation and connect with a network of researchers working at the forefront of soft electronics.
Zorah Williams
Zorah Williams is a third-year Chemical Engineering major with a minor in Ancient Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). She is a Meyerhoff Scholar (M34) and an active leader and researcher on campus. Zorah serves as the Membership Chair for UMBC’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and works on the fundraising committee for the newly founded UMBC chapter of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE). Additionally, Zorah is an undergraduate researcher in the Advanced Materials and Electrochemistry for Energy (AMEE) Lab on campus.
Her current research project, under the guidance of Dr. Cecile Chazot, focuses on developing electrochromic polymers for sustainable applications. This involves studying the phase behavior of polymer mixtures, including ethyl cellulose (EC), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Using thermodynamic calculations in MATLAB based on Flory-Huggins theory, they aim to predict blend compositions that favor homogenous phases, providing insights to guide experimental research on these materials.
Zorah is passionate about mentorship and aims to be a role model for her community. She mentors in two additional capacities outside of her organizational roles. In her free time, she enjoys watching shows and movies, baking, reading, and spending quality time with her family and friends. Her research experience spans systems engineering, environmental science, environmental chemistry, electrochemistry, and materials science, with a current focus on sustainable materials. Zorah plans to pursue a Ph.D. in this field to further her work in advancing sustainability in the future.