Seung Hwan (Allen) Lee
Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota
Research Faculty, BioTechnology Institute
Email: [email protected]
Postdoc in Chemical Engineering, MIT, 2023-2025
Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, 2022
B.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, UCLA, 2017
Research Interest: Metabolic engineering, biomanufacturing
Hobbies: Listening to classical piano music, particularly from this artist
Monika Kajal
Postdoctoral Associate
Email: [email protected]
Postdoc in Carnegie Science, Stanford
Ph.D. in Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
M.S. in Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
B.S. in Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
Research Interest: Yarrowia lipolytica metabolic engineering
Hobbies: Hiking, practicing yoga, visiting zoos, and exploring new cuisines and food spots
Chi Young Hwang
Postdoctoral Associate
Email: [email protected]
Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea, 2025
B.S. in Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea, 2025
Research Interest: Yeast engineering for polymer production
Hobbies: Running, bodyweight exercises, and cooking.
Nhat Nguyen
Ph.D. student in Materials Science and Engineering
Email: [email protected]
B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, 2025
Research Interest: Computational enzyme mining and engineering
Hobbies: Baking and hanging out with friends
Zoe Lelas
Ph.D. student in Materials Science and Engineering
Email: [email protected]
B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2024
Research Interest: Sustainable polymer (co-advised with C. Ellison)
Hobbies: Crocheting, Skiing, Hammocking/Reading, Hockey, Going to Muesums, Music, Spending with Friends
Muhammad Hafiz Haziq Mohd Yusri
Undergraduate researcher
Email: [email protected]
Major: Biochemistry and Mathematics
Research Interest: FORCE pathway in P. pastoris
Hobbies: Swimming, SCUBA diving, Climbing
Joseph Gaul
Undergraduate researcher (2026 Summer UROP)
Email: [email protected]
Major: Chemical Engineering
Research Interest: Biopolymer production and functionalization
Hobbies: Any outdoors activity, rock-climbing, playing chess, and playing the cello
Danica Draves
Undergraduate researcher (2026 Summer UROP)
Email: [email protected]
Major: Materials Science and Engineering
Research Interest: Sustainable polymer assisting Zoe Lelas
Hobbies: Weightlifting, Playing Guitar, Crocheting, Embroidery, Reading, Seeing Friends