Members

Julia Laskin

William F. and Patty J. Professor of Analytical Chemistry
Ph.D. Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1998
BRWN 5131A
(765) 494-5434

Email: jlaskin@purdue.edu

Bio and CV (PDF)

LiXue Jiang

I obtained my Ph.D. from the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in 2019. I studied ion-molecule reactions in gas phase using mass spectrometry as well as instrument development. Then, I continued the application and development study of mass spectrometry coupled with superconducting tunnel junction detectors in Carnegie Mellon University.  In November 2021, I joined Dr. Laskin’s group at Purdue University where I am interested in developing an automated system for high-throughput nano-DESI source. My dream was to be a writer when I was a kid.

Email: jiang842@purdue.edu

Hugo Yuset Samayoa Oviedo

I received my B.S. in Chemistry from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) where I studied the critical micelle concentration of synthetic bile salts and, the experimental setup of atomic absorption spectrometry to analyze geological samples. I worked as a chemistry and math teacher in high school before joining the Laskin group in 2018. I am interested in the ion-soft landing instrumentation and its application in energy storage. I have been to 14 countries: 6 in America, 6 in Europe, and 2 in Oceania. Ludwig Boltzmann is my favorite scientist. 

Email: hsamayoa@purdue.edu

Solita Wilson

I graduated from Youngstown State University with my Bachelor of Science.  I worked as a teacher for a charter school for 3 years and then I went for my master’s degree in 2016.  I worked on chemical reduction of carbon dioxide using N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts.  I joined the Laskin group in 2018, and I am interested in instrument development specifically in the field of ion soft-landing. I have spent nights in haunted places. Had my nose piercing done in England.

Email: wils1006@purdue.edu

Miranda Weigand

I received a B.S in Chemistry and Mathematics from Central Methodist University in Fayette, MO in 2019. I performed my undergraduate research at University of Nebraska-Lincoln during the summer of 2018 analyzing drug-protein interactions using high performance affinity chromatography. I joined the Laskin lab in November 2019 with an interest in the development of nanoDESI mass spectrometry imaging to understand biological systems. I've been scuba diving off the coast of Bonaire. I binge watch way too much TV.

Email: weigandm@purdue.edu

Mike Espenship

I received a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Georgia before attending a fellowship position at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, where I quantitated biomarkers of tobacco smoke in human blood and serum using GC-MS. I joined the Laskin group in 2019 where I am working on the development of ion soft-landing instrumentation. I have a passion for aviation. I got my pilots license in highschool, but do most of my "flying" on simulation games I play on my custom built gaming PC. Sir Isaac Newton is my favorite scientist. 

Email: mespensh@purdue.edu

Manxi Yang

I received a B.S. in chemistry from Wuhan University, China. My previous research experiences are in electrochemistry and nanomaterials. I joined the Laskin group in November 2019 with an interest in nano-DESI MS imaging. I love traveling!!!

Email: yang1832@purdue.edu

Sara Amer

I received my B. Sc. in pharmaceutical sciences from Misr International University (MIU) in Cairo, Egypt. I then pursued my Master’s Degree from Suez Canal University (SCU) in pharmaceutical analytical chemistry. It was during that time that I received a year-long research internship in the lab of Tsutomu Masujima at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, or RIKEN in Osaka Japan, where I investigated the methodology and applications of nano-ESI single cell metabolomics. I joined Dr. Julia Laskin’s group in November 2021 with an interest in in the further advancement of the nano-DESI mass spectrometry imaging system and its future biological applications. My favorite vacation activities are snorkeling and parasailing. Ahmed Zeweil is my favorite scientist. 

Email: amer2@purdue.edu

Mushfeqa Iqfath

I recieved a B.Sc. in Chemistry from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh and then completed my MS in Physical Chemistry in 2020. During my MS thesis, I worked on a project where I explored the area of properties of ionic liquid based microemulsions with a special focus on their surface properties. In 2021, I came to Purdue University as a graduate student. I joined Dr. Julia Laskin's group with an interest to perform multidisciplinary research projects in the field of bio-analytical chemistry. Here my focus lies in nano-DESI MS imaging of biomaterials. I am an ardent reader of fiction, specially Bengali literature. When I am not doing science, either I am cooking or watching mystery thriller movies. Rabindranath Tagore is my favorite writer. 

Email: miqfath@purdue.edu

Syeda Nazifa Wali

I received my BS and MS in Chemistry from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. There I worked on the synthesis of semiconductor metal core-shell nanoparticles in a microemulsion medium for their potential application as photocatalysts. I joined the Laskin group in October 2021 and am interested in the development of nano-DESI mass spectrometry imaging. I love talking to people, I enjoy reading as a pastime and trying out new recipes, which I think is a rather convenient hobby to have . It is almost beyond my ability to watch a series one episode at a time, so at any given time period, I end up watching either too much or zero tv shows, and nothing in between.

Email: walis@purdue.edu

Emerson Hernly

I graduated from IUPUI in 2020 where I worked in chemical education and drug discovery performing solid-phase peptide synthesis. I joined the Laskin group to pursue my interests in nano-DESI MS imaging for biological systems and the application of AI and machine learning for chemical data analysis automation. I have a cat named Juice and like cooking, biking, rock climbing, and board/video games. Rosalind Franklin is my favorite scientist. 

Email: ehernly@purdue.edu

Arya Das

I received a B.Sc. in Physics from BJB college, India and M.Sc. in Physics from OUAT University, India. I am currently a graduate student under the supervision of Prof Suddhasatwa Basu and Dr. Mamata Mohapatra at CSIR-IMMT, India. My research is focused on electrochemistry of specially designed nanomaterials. I joined the Julia Laskin research group in January 2022 as an Overseas Visiting Fellow. I am interested in the ion-soft landing instrumentation for development of novel electrode-electrolyte interfaces for application in energy storage. I am fascinated by travel, meeting new people from diverse cutural backgrounds, and learning about their food and traditions. Still a tea lover in the Country of Coffee. C V Raman is my favorite scientist.

Email: das190@purdue.edu 

Xilai Li

I received my B.S. in chemistry from Nankai University. During my undergraduate in Nankai and visiting Purdue, I conducted my research on microdroplet reactions by using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and its derivative methods. I joined the Laskin group in 2022 where I dedicate myself to developing ion soft-landing technology and exploring its application in cluster synthesis, surface modification, and preparative mass spectrometry. I like to wear white shirts everyday. Nikola Tesla is my favorite scientist.

Email: li4266@purdue.edu

Raquel Cericatto Konzen

I received a B.S. in Chemistry from Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), Brazil. I got a Master's degree in Environmental Science and Technology (PPGCTA) from the same university. During this time, I worked on the development of multiple adsorbents to remove contaminants from water. After my master's, I worked as a lab technician (chromatography), and as a contractor for a food company, where I developed and validated an HPLC method to detect and quantify sweeteners. I joined Dr. Julia Laskin's group in November 2022 with an interest in working on the development of ion soft-landing instrumentation. I love watching cartoons - favorites at the moment: Rick and Morty, Billy & Mandy, and Clarence. Carl Sagan is my favorite scientist. 

Email: konzen@purdue.edu

Alyssa Marie Moore

I received my B.S. in Chemistry and B.A. in Physics from the University of Florida in 2022. There I did undergraduate research on bioanalytical applications of MALDI mass spectrometry. I joined the Laskin lab in November 2022 to pursue my interest in nano-DESI mass spectrometry imaging. I really enjoy watching TV and reading, my favorite genres are mystery and fantasy. Stephen Hawking is my favorite scientist.

Email: moor1179@purdue.edu

Aiming (Murphy) Zheng

I received my B.S. in Chemistry from Purdue University in 2021. During my undergraduate research in Professor Dor Ben-Amotz's group, I was working on density study on various molecules in aqueous solution and solvation of cyclodextrins with hydroxides using Raman Spectroscopy. I joined the Laskin group in October 2023 with an interest in nano-DESI MS Imaging. I have two adorable cats and a lovely dog, all named after snacks. I enjoy reading a lot and have a huge bookshelf as I buy too many books. I am a huge gamer and probably spent more time on video games than I should. 

Email: zheng428@purdue.edu

Bethany Phillips

I received my B.S. in Chemistry from Davidson College in 2023. My undergraduate research focused on the quantification of pyrazines in hookah smoke using GC-MS and the quantification of ROS in hookah smoke using an acellular assay. I joined the Laskin lab in November 2023 to pursue my interest in working on the development of ion soft-landing instrumentation. I enjoy reading, hiking, cooking, and baking. I learned most of my cooking knowledge from watching cooking shows. Marie Curie is my favorite scientist.

Email: phill488@purdue.edu

Tommy Zhang

I received my BS in Biochemistry at Purdue in 2021, and my MS in Chemistry at Indiana University - Indianapolis in 2023. I joined the J. Laskin gang in 2023 to conduct research in mass spectrometry imaging. I only eat dinner, sometimes two dinners. When I’m not eating dinner, I enjoy finding new music artists, browsing my video game library and then not playing any games, and cleaning my room. René Descartes is my favorite scientist.

Email: zhan2999@purdue.edu

Xindi Tang

I received a BS in Chemistry and Biochemistry from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2023. I did my undergraduate research in Dr. Lingjun Li's lab on ion mobility MS and in Dr. Huy Dinh's lab on scRNA-seq. I joined the Laskin lab in November 2023 with an interest in nanoDESI MS imaging. I like to do jigsaw puzzles and travel!

Email: tang666@purdue.edu

Danny Hristov

I am an undergraduate senior chemistry major at Purdue from Knoxville, Tennessee. I am a graduate of the L&N STEM Academy where I served as president of my school’s science bowl team. My scientific interests include analytical, physical, and electrochemistry. I work under graduate assistants Hang Hu and Hugo Samayoa in testing the electrochemical performance of redox and non-redox species using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). Beyond chemistry, I enjoy performing classical piano and travelling internationally. I particularly enjoy visiting Bulgaria and Puerto Rico where most of my family resides.

Dylan Forbes

I am a senior studying Chemistry at Purdue University. I joined the Laskin group in August 2021 to work with Habib on the synthesis and mass spectrometric characterization of atomically precise nanoclusters. 

Ronnie Cutler

I am an undergraduate sophomore chemistry major at Purdue, and I am from the Chicago land area in Illinois. I am mainly interested in electrochemistry and its applications in battery development. I currently work under Hugo Samayoa Oviedo to understand and experiment with the cyclic voltammetry of viologens.

Erik Sveen

I’m currently a sophomore studying chemistry at Purdue University. I joined the Laksin lab in September of 2022. I am working with Miranda to study glycans using mass spectrometry.

Haven Wilson

Taaran Sajalvinodh