Group Members

Chris Gorman (PI)

Professor Gorman was was born and raised in Madison, NJ. He completed a BA in Chemistry and Computer Science at Drew University, a Ph. D. from Caltech (working under Professor Robert Grubbs) and did postdoctoral research with Seth Marder at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and with George Whitesides at Harvard University. He has been a faculty member at NC State since 1994.


Contact: cbgorman (at) ncsu (dot) edu

Ivan Cockman

5th year graduate student


Ivan Cockman grew up in Louisburg, North Carolina. He graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan College with a B.S. in Chemistry and a B.S. in Mathematics in 2019. He joined NC State in Fall 2019 with an interest in organic synthesis.

Interests: Organic synthesis, tabletop/boardgames, gaming, hiking/outdoors

Contact: iwcockma{at}ncsu{dot}edu

Dylan Leonard

5th year graduate student


Dylan Leonard was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but raised in Land O' Lakes, Florida. He attended Oglethorpe University, studying chemistry while playing college baseball. In the Spring of 2019, he graduated from Oglethorpe University with a B.S. in Chemistry. He joined the graduate program at NC State in the Fall of 2019.

Interests: Dendrimers, sports, food, whiskey, beer, and music (in no particular order)

Contact: dcleonar{at}ncsu{dot}edu

Juliana O'Brien

4th year graduate student


Juliana was born and raised on Long Island, New York. She graduated from High Point University in May 2020 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in mathematics. She joined NC State in the fall of 2020 with an interest in bioorganic materials.

Interests include: hiking, cooking, cats and painting.

Contact: jobrien2{at}ncsu{dot}edu

Lihan Chen

4th year graduate student


Lihan was born in Shandong, China, and moved to Shanghai for school. In June 2020, she graduated from ShanghaiTech University with a B.S. in Material Science and Engineering. After a short trip to the Netherlands, she joined NC State in the spring of 2021. Currently, she is working on broad-spectrum antimicrobial materials.

Interests include: hiking, reading, dogs and traveling.

Contact: lchen38{at}ncsu{dot}edu

Quy Nguyen

1st year graduate student


Quy Nguyen grew up in Charlotte, NC. He graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2023 with a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. He joined NC State in Fall 2023 and is currently working on the Phosphate Capture project.

Interest include: Baking, card games, and cooking.

Contact: qhnguyen{at}ncsu{dot}edu

Previous Group Members

Matt Pech (Ph. D., 2023)Lindau Chemicals, Inc. Columbia, SC
Gaoyan Mu (Ph. D., 2021)
Ryan J. Smith (Ph. D., 2020)R&D Scientist, Procter & Gamble
Rosalva Castrejon Garcia (Ph. D., 2018)Scientist, BASF
Cameron Stevens (Ph. D., 2018)Scientist, Axalta Coating Systems
Hu Menglong (Ph. D. 2014)Scientist, Polymaker Changshu China
Willett Jenelle (Ph. D. 2013)Process Engineer, Intel, Portland, OR
Xu Jingchao (M.S. 2013)Research Specialist, General Biosystems Inc. Raleigh NC 
Brannock Molly (Ph. D. 2012)Commercial Manager, BASF, Detroit, MI
Kim Yun-Ho (Ph. D. 2011)Scientist, Samsung, Seoul, Korea
Lebo Xu (Ph. D. 2011)Sr. R&D Scientist/Engineer, WestRock, Richmond, VA
Eric Tucker (Ph. D. 2010)Research Scientist, Veeco, New York, NY 
James Williams (Ph. D. 2010)Assistant Laboratory Manager/Technical Director, Microbac Laboratories, Fayetteville, NC
William Behof (Ph. D. 2010)Scientist, Catalent Pharma Solutions, Morrisville, NC
Jennifer Ayres (Ph. D. 2009)Scientist, FHI 360, Durham, NC
Brandon Walker (M.S. 2007)Lead Scientist & Research Specialist, Timilon Technology Acquisitions, Topeka, KS
Tiffani Bailey Lash (Ph D 2006)Program Director, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering , Washington, DC
Young-Rae Hong (Ph. D. 2005)Senior Engineer, Stealth Mode Startup, Sunnyvale, CA
Aneta Dembowa (M.S. 2004)Manufacturing Manager, Seattle Genetics, Seattle, WA
Drew Wassel (Ph. D. 2004)Vice President of Chemistry at EyeCRO, Oklahoma City, OK
Angela Allen (Ph. D. 2004)Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Shaw University
Szymon Dembowy (M.S. 2004)Technical CMC professional, Cascadian Therapeutics, Seattle, WA
Ryan Fuierer (Ph. D. 2004)Technical Representative, Asylum Research, Raleigh, NC
Tyson Chasse (Ph. D. 2004)Director, Analytical CMC, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA
Joshua Yohannan (M.S. 2003)Laboratory Manager, Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner, Pittsburgh, PA
Richard Lloyd Carroll (Ph. D. 2001)Scientist, Mylan Laboratories, Morgantown, WV
Ryan Vest (M.S. 1998)Global Director of Innovation, MacDermid Graphics Solutions, Atlanta, GA
Russell Miller (M.S. 1997)Senior Director, Business Development, Scotwork North America, Raleigh, NC