Chemistry

Graduate Students / Teaching Assistants

 

 ADEMOLA ADEOYE (Master’s Student)

I am from Nigeria, and I received my bachelor's degree from the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. I am currently a graduate student in Analytical Chemistry in Tammy Boles' lab, where I specialize on the development and optimization of chromatographic methods for assessing environmental pollutants in aqueous medium. With a passion for environmental research, I am committed to improving analytical techniques for monitoring and protecting water quality. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing soccer, studying, and meeting new people, as well as connecting with others in the academic community and beyond.

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CAYDEN KIRBY (Master's Student)

My name is Cayden Kirby and I was born in Sparta, Tennessee. I'm A current Master of Chemistry Candidate concentrating in Biochemistry. As of Fall 2024 I am working in Dr. Xuanzhi Zhan's research group where I am performing cellular expression of proteins found in MAPK cascades. I am tasked with using a novel peptide inhibitor to prevent the activation of specific kinases that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. When I'm not in the lab I find myself reading fiction novels, cooking delicious food, and spending time with those who mean the most to me.

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CHRIS HARDY (Master's Student)

I am from Lawrenceburg, TN and received my bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from UT Chattanooga in the spring of 2024. I joined TN Tech as a graduate student the following fall. My research interests primarily fall within the field of computational biochemistry, particularly within the application of artificial intelligence towards the prediction of protein structure. Outside of school I enjoy fishing, reading, and cooking.

 

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CLEMENT OPOKU ACHEAMPONG (Master's Student)

I am from Ghana, where I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Cape Coast. In the fall of 2024, I joined Tennessee Tech University, where I’m currently working in Dr. Jesse Carrick’s lab, focusing on organic synthesis. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing soccer, video games, and watching soccer matches on TV.

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EMMANUEL AIMIUWU (Master's Student)

I am originally from Nigeria and earned my B.Sc. in Chemistry from the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria. In the fall of 2023, I joined Tennessee Tech, where I am currently a member of Carrick's research group. My research area focuses on organic synthesis, where I synthesize complexant scaffolds that can be used for separation studies of minor actinides from lanthanide in spent nuclear fuel.

Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy spending time with friends, playing soccer, going on road trips, and watching movies

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EMMANUELLA EBINUM (Master's Student)

Originally born and raised in Nigeria, I have always been curious about how the world works. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Technology) at Delta State University, Abraka, I decided to leap across the globe, joining Tennessee Tech in the fall of 2024, to explore new challenges in the development of analytical methods and environmental chemistry.
While the academic journey is thrilling, nothing excites me quite like a great meal. A true food lover at heart.

 

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MUINAT ZUBAIR (Master's Student)

My name is Muinat Zubair. I got my bachelors degree in biochemistry from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria. I am currently working on the kinetic and computational analysis of JNK3 and MKK7 in the Zhan lab, in collaboration with the Cashman lab.

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OLUWASOLA IFEDAYO (PhD Student)

I am popularly called "SUREBOY", I was born and brought up in Lagos, Nigeria. I received my Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) Degree certificate in Industrial Chemistry from Federal University Of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. I have over 9 years working experience in Oil and Gas industry.  

I am currently a member of Dr Andrew Callender's lab as a master's student. My current research focus is on "Detection of polycyclic musk compounds in indoor dust by In-Tube Extraction (ITEX) HS-GC-MS".

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PATIENCE MANSAH NORTEY (Master's Student)

I’m Patience Mansah Nortey, a Master's student from Ghana 🇬🇭. I earned my bachelor's degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, and joined Tennessee Tech in fall 2024. As a member of Cojocaru’s lab, I am working with Dr. Andreea Cojocaru on developing active pharmaceutical ingredients as ionic liquids to enhance drug delivery systems. In my free time, I love being outdoors, playing soccer, watching movies, and traveling.  

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RANDI K. PADIKORALAGE (Master's Student)

I’m originally from Galle, Sri Lanka. I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka and joined Tennessee Tech in the fall of 2023. As a member of the Gru lab I’m working with Dr. Ranil M. Gurusinghe in the rotational spectroscopy field. In my free time, I enjoy engaging in crafts, cooking, and traveling.

 

 

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RUSIRU RAJAPAKSHA  (Master's Student)

I’m from Walasmulla Sri Lanka. I obtained my bachelor’s degree from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and joined Tennessee Tech in the spring of 2023. As a member of the Gurusinghe lab I’m working with Dr. Ranil M. Gurusinghe in the rotational spectroscopy field. Outside of work I enjoy spending my free time outdoors, hiking, trekking, and travelling.

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STEPHEN AWUKU (Master's Student)

I am from Ghana, and I obtained my bachelor’s degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and joined Tennessee Tech University in FALL 2023. I am currently working in Dr. Cojocaru’s Lab where we focus on environmental and pharmaceutical chemistry research. My research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of Liquid state Juglone derivatives compounds for pharmaceutical and agricultural applications. Outside the Lab I enjoy playing and watching soccer, swimming and working out.