| McKayla Knoebel graduate student mckaylaknoebel@ufl.edu B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2023 Joined Fall 2023 | My research focuses on the depolymerization of polyesters, such as PLA and PET, and using the products to synthesize poly(ester amide)s. |
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| Christopher Koelbl graduate student cb.koelbl@ufl.edu B.S., Virginia Tech, 2025 Joined Fall 2025 | My research is focused on adapting underutilized functional groups to polymerization chemistry, with an emphasis on simplifying synthetic methods and incorporating advantaged material properties—all while focusing on the core principles of green and sustainable chemistry. |
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| Cody Layne graduate student cody.layne@chem.ufl.edu B.S., Mississippi State University, 2019 Joined Spring 2021 | I am researching the synthesis of bio-based polyesters from heterocyclic monomers derived from sugar. |
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| Aracelee M. Reverón Pérez graduate student aracelee.reveron@ufl.edu B.A., University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, December 2019 Joined Fall 2020 | My research focuses in two areas involving organo-silicon polymers: synthesis of polyalkylorthosilicates and chemical recycling of polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMSs). Properties such as glass transition temperature and thermal stability of the polymers are investigated. |
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| Justin Smith graduate student justinsmith@ufl.edu B.S., Fisk University, 2017 Joined Fall 2017 Defended Ph.D. March, 2026 | My research is based on creating high glass transition temperature polyesters from biorenewable feedstocks. |
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Current undergraduates: Jacobus Hazelhoff, Vanessa Oumarjeet , Aliyah Rotchin, Serena Sander, and Cade Van Aelst