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THE RICHARD A. GROSS RESEARCH GROUP.

Lists of alumni are separated into groups based on year. Please select the year you'd like to view from the list below. You can view current group members working under the supervision of Richard A. Gross by choosing Group Members from the Contributors menu above.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Akhverdiyeva, Rena

Azim, Abul

Ashby, Richard D
Current place of employment:
Fats, Oils and Animal Coproducts Research Unit
Agriculture Research Service
United State Department of Agriculture
Title:
Research Microbiologist
Current Work:
I worked for Dr. Gross from 1994 to 1996 as a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Massachusetts - Lowell working in the area of the molecular weight control of poly(hydroxyalkanoates) using poly(ethylene glycol) media additives.  Today, I continue to work on the biosynthesis and characterization of natural products using whole cell catalysis.  I am specifically looking at lipidic feedstocks and inexpensive industrial coproducts (e.g. glycerol, soy molasses, fish byproducts) as carbon sources in the formation of biopolymers and biosurfactants by fermentative means and continue to look for potential industrial interest in these new materials.  By using these materials it is hoped that production costs can be reduced and new outlets found for these coproducts in order to help subsidize the biodiesel, soy processing and Alaskan fishing industries.
Contact information:
Richard D. Ashby
USDA/ARS/ERRC
Fats, Oils and Animal Coproducts RU
600 E. Mermaid Ln.
Wyndmoor, PA 19038
Ph:  215-233-6483
Fax:  215-233-6795
Email:  Rick.Ashby@ars.usda.gov
http://www.ars.usda.gov/pandp/people/people.htm?personid=204
How did your time in the group help in building your career?
On a personal note, I really enjoyed my time with Dr. Gross.  He was instrumental in my development as a scientist and I hope that as we progress in our respective responsibilities that we can continue to work cooperatively in current and future research projects when circumstances allow.

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B

Bansal, Rajesh
Born: Delhi, India
Education: University of Delhi
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Joined the Gross group 1999- as a Visiting Research Student to gain exposure and
expertise in the use of enzymes in polymer synthesis
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Synthesis of functionalized polylactides for biomedical application, microbial oxidation
and reduction on polysaccahrides and Developing biocatalytic routes for the synthesis of
well defined systems & modification of polymers for various applications.
Current place of employment:
Research Faculty at Institute for Nano-Science Engineering and Technology and Center for
Advanced Materials at UMass Lowell
Current work:
Drug Delivery using Nano-Particles and Biodefence
Contact information:
Dr Rajesh Kumar
Center for Advanced Materials and
Institute for Nano-Science Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemistry
University of Massachusetts
Lowell, MA 01853
Phone: 978-933-3708 (office)
Fax:: 978-358-9571
Email: Rajesh_Kumar@uml.edu
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
The training and experience with Prof. Gross helped a lot in acquiring the skills and
knowledge in some of the hot and cutting edge areas of Research, which was very helpful
in competing in this area of research. Professor Gross's constant encouragement,
motivation for writing different grant proposals helped a lot in acquiring the skills for
witing proposals.

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Bisht, Kirpal S
Current place of employment:
University of South Florida
Title:
Associate Professor
Current Work:
Design and synthesize polymers for drug and gene delivery
Contact information:
Department of Chemistry
University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CHE 205A
Tampa, FL 33620-5250
Office: (813) 974-0350, NES 408-A
Lab: (813) 974-0350, NES 407
Email: kbisht@cas.usf.edu
http://chemistry.usf.edu/faculty/bisht/

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Bhattacharya, Anupam

Barbuzzi, Tony
Born: Italy
Education: University of Catania
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Joined the Gross group 2002 as a Postdoctoral Fellow because of his work on biocatalysis
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Incorporating crosslinkable groups into sugar based polyesters
Current place of employment:
Post-doctoral fellow (Department of Chemistry - University of Catania)
Current work:
I work on synthesis and characterization of copolymers obtained by transesterification
process from their homopolymer. We characterize the polymers by MALDI-TOF /MS,
NMR, to hydrolize or pyrolise them into monomers and oligomers and try to characterize
the microstructure and the end-group.
Contact information:
Dr.Tony Barbuzzi
Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
c/o C.N.R. Polimeri
Viale Andrea Doria, 6 - zip 95125 - CATANIA (ITALY)
Tel +39.095.7385038
Fax +39.095. 221541
tony.barbuzzi@tiscali.it
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
During my stay in Brooklyn, Prof. Gross introduced me to the world of enzymes. I've
learned a lot from Prof. Gross and his group.

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Bankova, Mania

C

Chen, Xianhai
Born: Zhejiang, China
Education: BS in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Polymer Science. Both from Zhejiang
University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Joined group in June 1994-1997 as a Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Focus during the Gross years:
New Biodegradable Polymer Design and Synthesis by Ring Opening Polymerization
Current place of employment:
Photon Dynamics Inc., Flat Panel Display Division
Current work:
I am in charge of PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal) material and
process development for our TFT array testing equipment.
Contact information:
Photon Dynamics Inc.
Flat Panel Display Division
6325 San Ignacio Ave
San Jose, CA 95119
www.photondynamics.com
Phone: 408 360 3051 (direct) or 408 226 9900 ext. 3051
Fax: 408 226 9910
Email: xianhai.chen@photondynamics.com

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Cromwick, Ann Mari

Charkarborty, Soma

Chen, Bo
Current place of employment:
Univ. of California, San Francisco
Title:
Postdoctoral Research fellow
Current Work:
Design and synthesize polymers for drug and gene delivery
Contact information:
Biopharmaceutical Chemistry Department of UCSF
1145 HSE, Parnassus St,  San Francisco, CA 94143
Email: summit_bo@yahoo.com

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D

Dang, Feng
Born: P. R. China, Changzhou
Education: BS: Tonghua University (Shanghai, China)
MS: Sam Houston State University (US)
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Joined Gross group August, 1993 as a graduate student because of his research field
as well as his energy and enthusiasm
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Enzyme and whole cell catalyzed polymerization
Current place of employment:
Dial/Henkel in Phoenix. AZ
Current work:
heading up the R&D innovation group for laundry care business
Contact information:
Fang (Frank) Deng, PhD
Manager, Laundry Care R&D
The Dial Corporation, a Henkel Company
15101 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Ph: 480.754.6566
Email: dengf@yahoo.com
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
Everyway

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Dave, Rachna

Current place of employment:
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Facilities
Title:
Postdoctoral Research fellow
Contact information:
Dr. Rachna Dave.
Post-Doctorate Fellow,
Biofilm and Bioprocess Section,
Water and Steam Chemistry Division,
Bhabha Atomic Reseach Centre Facilities,
Kalpakkam. TN. 603 102.
India.
Email: rachnadj@gmail.com

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F

Farrell, Rchard
Felse, Arthur

Current place of employment:
Northwestern Univ.
Title:
Lecturer
Current Work:
Graduate and undergraduate teaching of Chemical Engineering and Biological Engineering courses;  student advising; academic mentoring; student recruitment; research
Contact information:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
2145, Sheridan Road, Room E136
Evanston, IL 60201.
Tel: (847) 491-7387
Fax: (847) 491-3728
E-mail: afelse@northwestern.edu
http://www.chem-biol-eng.northwestern.edu/people/mbp.html

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Fu, Hongyong

Current place of employment:
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp
Title:
Scientist
Current Work:
Developing resins for automotive and chemical coatings
Contact information:
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp.
4440 Warrensville Center Road
Warrensville Heights, OH 44128
Phone: (216)332-8685 (office)
e-mail: hongyong.fu@sherwin.com
How did your time in the group help in building your career?
"The training and experience I got while I was working as a postdoctoral
research associate in Prof. Gross's group laid a solid foundation for
my career development"

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G

Gilmanov, Vladimir
Gao, Wei
Current place of employment:
Rohm and Haas Company
Title:
Senior Scientist
Current Work:
Polymer separation/characterization in Central Analytical Support
Contact information:
Rohm and Haas Company, Spring House Technical Center.
727 Norristown Road. P. O. Box904
Spring House, PA 19477-0904.
Tel 215 619 5873
Email: weigao8730@gmail.com

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Gupta, Bhavna

Gothlich, Alexander

H

Henderson, Lori
Born: Detroit, MI
Education: 1998 PH.D.POLYMER SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, LOWELL, MA.
1995 M.S. IN CHEMISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, LOWELL, MA
1986 M.S. IN MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, DETROIT, MI.
1981 IN CHEMISTRY, MARYGROVE COLLEGE, DETROIT, MI.
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
I elected to work for Prof. Gross due to his extreme dedication and search for truth and
discovery in the scientific field. At that time, he was managing many diverse research
projects that encompassed a multidisciplinary approach and understanding to doing
research. My dissertation project was challenging, unconventional and pioneering in of it
self and hence provided me with a sound foundation in research techniques/principles. I
knew then, that I would excel beyond the normal expectations due to his ability to inspire
and create a stimulating working environment.
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Biocatalysis of Macromolecules: Kinetic and mechanistic studies of enzyme-catalyzed
polymerization reactions
Current place of employment:
Program Director
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) in NIH
Current work:
Drug and Gene Delivery Systems and Devices Program Area. The drug and gene delivery program supports the research and development of new and improved technologies for the controlled and targeted release of therapeutic agents. Areas of emphasis include: the development of new delivery vehicles such as nanoparticles and micellar systems; energy-assisted delivery using ultrasound, electroporation, etc.; and the integration of biosensing with controlled dosage delivery using BioMEMS and other emerging technologies.
Contact information:
Division of Discovery Science & Technology
Democracy Plaza Two Suite 200
6707 Democracy Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301-451-4778
hendersonlori@mail.nih.gov
http://www.nibib.nih.gov/Research/ProgramAreas/Biomaterials
http://www.nibib.nih.gov/About/Directories/ScientificPrograms
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
It was a significant turning point in my career. I've acquired and developed several interesting
skills that transitioned me from the chemical industry into the world of biotechnology.
I've acquired and continue to do so unique skills/knowledge that puts me in the forefront of my research endeavors.
The technical challenges and instrumental techniques encountered during my Ph. D.
studies ultimately enhanced my creativity, promoted innovative thinking and nourished my
inquisitive mind. This was just the beginning!

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Hu, Shanghui

Hunsen, Mo
Born: Ethiopia
Education:
Addis Ababa University (BS, MS) and
Michigan State University (PhD)
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Joined the Gross group 2005 as a Visiting Scientist during my sabbatical to work on enzyme catalyzed reactions.
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Investigating the potential of Humicola insolens Cutinase for polyesterification reactions. Studying acyl esterases catalyzed esterification of polyols.
Current place of employment:
Associate Professor at Department of Chemistry, Kenyon College, Ohio and
Visiting Scientist at the CASE Comprehensive Cancer center, CASE School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Current work:
I am currently working on synthesis and biological activity studies of carbohydrate- and natural product-based anti-cancer, chemoprevention, and immune modulatory drugs.
Contact information:
Dr. Mo Hunsen
Department of Chemistry
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH43022
Tel (740) 427-5091
Fax (740 427-5731
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
It was a great experience and I have learned a lot from Prof. Gross and his diverse group of scientists. I have learned a lot about enzyme catalyzed reactions in organic solvents and about polymer chemistry.  I have greatly enjoyed the academic-industry collaborations as this really puts things in to perspective.

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J

Jiang, Zhaozhong

Current place of employment:
Yale University,  Faculty of Engineering
Title:
Research Associate
Contact information:
55 Prospect Street
401C
New Haven, CT 06511
Mailing:
P.O. Box 208260
New Haven, CT
MEC 401C
Email: zhaozhong.jiang@yale.edu

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K

Kalra, Bhanu
Born: India
Education: BS and MS, and Ph.D University of Delhi, India
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Because of versatile and extended nature of his research.
Research Focus during the Gross years:
HRP catalyzed gel formation by covalent crosslinking of tyramine modified
aspartamide, vinyl polymerizations.
Lipase catalyzed a) ring-opening polymerization, b) polymerizations using
hybrid catalyst (combination of lipase and a chemical catalyst) to produce
unique copolymers, (III) combination of ring-opening and condensation
polymerizations to synthesize unique terpolymers.
Lipase catalyzed vinyl monomer synthesis, regioselective acrylation of ethyl
glucoside, thymidine and adenosine at 5'-O position. These monomers were
polymerized by conventional free radical as well as controlled radical
(ATRP) polymerizations.
Current place of employment:
Diagnostics System Labs,
445 Medical Center Blvd.
Webster Texas, 77598.
Current work: Senior Scientist
I work in production and Research and Development
I am involved in synthesis of conjugates of antigens, antibodies and steroids
with enzymes (HRP and Alkaline Phosphatase) and other linkers.
Besides this, I am involved in assay development and setting up EIA and
ELISA immunoassays on chemiluminescence based techniques
Contact information:
Phone: 281-332-9678,
Fax: 281 338 1895
Email: ajaybhanu@yahoo.com
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
I got a lot of exposure by attending meetings and discussions. Working in
his group enabled me to indulge in vast and extended areas of science.
Working as a part of NSF-BBM has enabled to me to learn the industrial
requirements of the work. My time in the group has been really enjoyablable
and full of learning

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Kandula, Jagannadha Rao
Born: Andhra Pradesh, India
Education: Ph.D. (Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology)
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, India
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
To strengthen interdisciplinary knowledge in the areas of Biotechnology
and Chemistry
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Biological treatment of bilge water generated from US Navy Marine vessels
by forced molecular evolution. Screening of carbohydrate oxidase producing
microorganisms and microbial oxidation of polysaccharides. Fermentative
production of microbial glycolipids and biosurfactants and their process
optimization.
Current place of employment:
Acambis, Inc. Canton, MA
Current work:
Manager, Viral Production Fermentation
Responsible for the management, maintenance and supervision of
daily activities of viral production fermentation department for the
production of viral vaccines
Manager, Bacterial Fermentation Development
Responsible for the management, maintenance and supervision of daily
activities of bacterial vaccine development department and scale-up of viral
and bacterial vaccines production into the large scale bioreactors.
Contact information:
Manager, Viral Production Fermentation
Acambis, Inc.
90 Shawmut Road
Canton, MA 02021
t 781 302 2963
f 781 828 0545
rao.kandula@acambis.com
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
Learned excellent project scheduling and management skills from Prof.
Gross. Also my tenure in Dr. Gross group helped to build up
interdisciplinary teamwork relationship for successful reaching of project
milestones.
This period also exposed me and strengthens my knowledge in bio-organic
catalysis area exhaustively.

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Kemnitzer, John
Born: Utica, NY
Education: BS, RIT Chemistry 1988
PhD, UMass Lowell 1993
Post-Doctoral, Rutgers University 1995
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Synthetic analogues of polyhydroxyalkanoates
Current place of employment:
Integra LifeSciences Corp, since 1996
Current work:
Director Polymer R&D
Contact information:
John Kemnitzer
Integra LifeSciences Corp
311 Enterprise Drive
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
E-mail: Jkemnitzer@integra-ls.com

How did your time in the group help in building your career:
Critical thinking and free reign to pursue intellectual interests within the
scope of the group's core focus. Relatively unencumbered academic pursuit
of interests and broad principles, but with an eye for practical application(s)
when warranted.

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Kumar, Ajay
Born: India
Education: University of Delhi, India
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Leading Scientist in the field of Biocatalysis
Research Focus during the Gross years: i) the evaluation of enzymes systems
that are active for monomer polymerizations, ii) the synthesis of new
monomers and polymers, iii) detailed characterizations of monomer and
polymer structure using advanced NMR techniques, iv) the development of
new strategies to achieve enhanced enzyme-activity for desired reaction
types, v) the development of new methods to achieve enzyme-catalyzed
transesterifications between chains and vi) condensation polymerization to
achieve sugar based polyesters.
Current place of employment:
Diagnostics System Labs, Webster Texas, 77598.
Current work:
Production of Immunogens, Tracers and biotin complexes, Steroids-Enzyme
(HRP, ALP) conjugates, Hormones and Proteins. Development and
Optimization of Steroids, Hormones and protein immunoassay. Management
and supervision of team of R&D staff in organic division and Immunoassay
development. Established ELISA and RIA based assay for many steroids
and proteins biomarkers.
Contact information:
Ajay Kumar, Director Research and Development, Div. Of Organic
Chemistry and Assay Development, 445 Medical Center Blvd. Webster,
Texas-77598, Tel: 281-332-9678,Email: akumar@DSLabs,com
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
It was a great learning curve and experience for me. It helped me attain state
of the art knowledge in the field of enzyme in polymer science. It helped
improve my presentation, group management and writing skills and I am
proud of the group.

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Kim, Oh-Young

Kulshrestha, Ankur
Current place of employment:
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Title:
Senior Scientist
Contact information:
Ankur S Kulshrestha, Ph.D
Senior Scientist
BD Medical Surgical Division
G318a, Becton Building
1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes
New Jersey, 07417
email: Ankur_Kulshrestha@bd.com

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Kuma, Rajesh
Kaushik, Himanshu
Kumar, Vineet
Kudesheva, Dina
Kunika, Masao

L

Loos, Katja


Born: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Education: Ph.D. University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
The perfect chance to combine my research on surfaces and interfaces in Prof Ulman's group with the world of biomacromolecules.
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Enzymes at defined interfaces.
Current place of employment:
University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Current work:
Assistant Professor (tenure track) of Polymer Chemistry in the Department of Polymer Thin Film and Surface Science at the Materials Science Centre, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Contact information:
Department of Polymer Chemistry
Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials
University of Groningen
Nijenborgh 4
9747 AG Groningen
The Netherlands
Tel +31-50-3636867
Phone: +31-50-3636867,
Fax: +31-84-2236001
Email: k.u.loos@rug.nl
URL: http://www.rug.nl/staff/k.u.loos/cv
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
Working in one of the "founding places" of polymer science in two well known groups on an interdisciplinary project is a unique experience and opens, in addition to the fact that I was funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Society, a lot of doors.

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Liu, Shengsheng

M

Mei, Ying

Born: P.R.China
Education: Ph.D in Chemistry
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Green Chemistry and Biomaterials.
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Enzymatic polymerization.
Current place of employment:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Current Work:
Development of the high throughput approaches for stem cell engineering
Current Title: Postdoctoral Researcher
Contact information:
Langer Lab, 45 Carleton Street, E25-325,
Cambridge, MA 02142
Email: ymei@mit.edu
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
I had the chance to work in several different research areas and had wide view about the scientific achievement in the polymer society. I could work with the scientists in the industry and government labs. This could help me the choose the career that fit me best.

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MacDonald, Rensee

Mahapatro, Anil

Current place of employment:
Norfolk State University
Title:
Assistant Professor
Current Work:
My research interests lie in two distinct but overlapping areas biocatalysis and biomaterials. My academic training in polymers lead to a keen research interest in materials. During my doctoral dissertation I worked on the synthesis of biodegradable polymers using biocatalysis. After my Ph.D. I decided to gain some experience in more applied materials research which led to post doctoral work in industrial immunoassay research as well as cardiovascular biomaterials research in an academic setting.
Contact information:
Anil Mahapatro, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Center for Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences &
Department of Chemistry,
Norfolk State University,
700 Park Avenue,
Norfolk, VA 23504 USA
Email: amahapatro@nsu.edu
Tel: 757-823-8494
http://www.nsu.edu/biotechnology/DrAnilMahapatro/

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Mang, Harald
Current place of employment:
Baxter Bioscience Vienna
Title:
Quality Specialist
Current Work:
Preparing submission documents together with the production team for various agencies (FDA, EMEA)
Contact information:
Dr. Harald Mang
Baxter BioScience
Licensing Support Management
Industriestr. 51 , 1220 Vienna, Austria
Phone: +43 1 20100 2876
Fax: + 43 1 20100 5131
Email: harald_mang@baxter.com

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Martin, Arthur
Current place of employment:
Corning Incorporated
Title:
Sr. Development Scientist
Contact information:
Arthur W. Martin, Ph.D.
Sr. Development Scientist
Life Sciences
Science and Technology
SP-DV-09-2
One Science Center Road
Corning, NY 14831
Email: MartinAW@corning.com
Phone: 607-974-0425
Fax: 607-974-9268

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Mishra Alpana

N

Nakaoki, Takahiko
Born: Osaka, Japan
Education: Osaka University, Japan
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Joined the Gross group 2000-2001 as a Visiting Research Scientist because of the many
papers written concerning enzymatic polymerization
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Enzymatic polymerization of lactones depending on matrix of immobilized lipases.
Current place of employment:
Associate Professor at Ryukoku University, Japan
Current work:
Enzymatic polymerization in supercritical CO2
Molecular structure formed in gel (solid state 13C NMR)
Contact information:
Ryukoku University
Seta, Otsu 520-2194, Japan
Tel: +81-77-543-7661Fax: +81-77-543-7483
E-mail: nakaoki@rins.ryukoku.ac.jp
URL:http://www.chem.ryukoku.ac.jp
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
The research done with Prof. Gross was new field for me. So it was the important
opportunity to begin the research on enzymatic polymerization.

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P

Parandoosh, Shoreh

Q

Qin, Dongqi

R

Reeve, Michael S.
Born:
Education: St. Anselm College BS-Chemistry
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Joined 1988-Umass-Lowell as a graduate student. I chose the Gross group because he is a
young energetic Professor with interesting ideas and directions
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Design and characterization of degradable copolymers. PHB, PCL and PLA copolymers
were the focus.
Current place of employment:
R&D Group Leader at NeoResin US
Current work:
Design and development of water based polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) and acrylic
emulsions for use in the coatings, graphic arts and adhesives industries.
Contact information:
R&D Group Leader
NeoResins Inc.
730 MainStreet
Wilmington, MA 01887
Phone - 978-661-7457
E-mail - michael.reeve@neoresins.com
Fax - 978-988-3918
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
Working in Prof. Gross and Prof. McCarthy's Consortium exposed me to industrial
contacts and ways of thinking. I was prepared for transitioning to an industrial setting.

Roesser, David

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S

Scholz, Carmen
Born: East Germany
Education: Diploma (MS) and Doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) from: University of
TechnologyDresden
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Joined 1996 as a Postdoctoral Fellow because of research interest in biopolymers
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Sophorolipids
Current place of employment:
Associate Professor University of Alabama in Huntsville
Current work:
Teaching undergraduate and graduate classes
Research in biopolyesters
Research in surface modifications
Contact information:
Dr. Carmen Scholz
Department of Chemistry
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, AL 35899
Tel.: (256) 824 6188
Fax: (256) 824 6349
Email: cscholz@matsci.uah.edu
http://chemistry.uah.edu/Faculty/scholz/
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
Rich believed in me and my ability to become a faculty member

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Shah, Devang

Shah, Vishal

Current place of employment:

Dowling College, Department of Biology

Title:

Assistant Professor

Current Work:
Development of novel bioremediation techniques for soil and water treatment.
Investigate the influence of polymers, nanoparticles and similar materials on the soil microbial diversity. 
In addition, his lab a collection of more than 200 microbial cultures that were isolated from the soil of Gamma Forest located in the Pine Barren Region of Long Island.
Contact information:
Vishal Shah
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Dowling College,
Idle Hour Blvd,
Oakdale. NY 11769.
Ph  : 631-244-3339
Fax: 631-244-1033
http://www.dowling.edu/faculty/Shah

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Shi, Fengying

Sahoo, Bishwabhusan

Seufert, Michael
Born: Bavaria, Germany, City of Guenzburg
Education:
1986 - 1991 Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany
1992 - 1995 Max Planck Institute of Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany
1995 - 1996 UMASS at Lowell
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Existing Research "History" in polyglucans and related polymers.
Preparation for future tasks within polymer research facility of BASF
Aktiengesellschaft
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Biodegradable, starch based surfactants
Current place of employment:
BASF Venture Capital in Santa Barbara, CA
Current work:
Venture Capital Investments for Corporate Venture Capital Group
Contact information:
Michael Seufert
P.O. Box 91954
Santa Barbara, CA 93067
Michael.seufert@basf-ag.de
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
Working in an international surrounding is a long lasting experience. This
experience provides certainly skills one can use in almost all manners of
professional and daily life.
The field of biodegradable polymers is an important field. Even if I left pure
chemical research I'm continuously exposed to the theme. I can take
advantage out of my knowledge almost every day in many ways.

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Smith, Gilbert

Shi, Fengying

T

Thakur, Amit

Venkataraman, Sridhar
Vaidya, Alankar
Email: alankarvaidya@yahoo.com

W

Wallner, Sabine
Current place of employment:
Boehringer Ingelheim Austria
Title:
Project Manager
Current Work:
Coordinating internal and external biotechnology based projects with respect to timelines and budget
Contact information:
sabine.wallner@vie.boehringer-ingelheim.com

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X

Xing,Guo-Wen
Born: China
Education: Shanxi University, China, B.S. (1994)
Peking University, China, Ph. D. (1999)
Reason for choosing the Gross group:
Joined Gross group 2001-2002 as a Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Focus during the Gross years:
Lipase-catalyzed amidation of poly(alkyl acrylate)
Chemo-enzymatic syntheses of leupeptin analogues as calpain inhibitors
Current place of employment:
The Scripps Research Institute
Current work:
Biomedical research in general chemistry
Contact information:
The Scripps Research Institute
10550 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037
Mail BCC 338
E-mail: gxing@scripps.edu
How did your time in the group help in building your career:
It is one of the most important areas in green chemistry to utilize enzymes for organic syntheses
and polymer modification. My experience in NSF-BBM center at Polytechnic University is
very useful and helpful for my future scientific research.

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Xu, Jin

Z

Zhang, Jinwen


Current place of employment:
Washington State University
Title:
Assistant Professor
Current Work:
Bio-based thermoplastic composites and foams
Polymer toughening, reinforcement and micromechanics
Biopolymer packaging materials
Bio-based adhesives
Contact information:
Dr. Jinwen Zhang
Assistant Professor
Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory
Washington State University
Pullman, WA  99164-1806
Phone:  (509) 335-8723
FAX:  (509) 335-5077
Email:  jwzhang@wsu.edu
http://www.wmel.wsu.edu/facultypages/fac_zhang.html

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