Eva Harth and Team
Eva studied chemistry at the University of Bonn, Germany and the University of Zurich, Switzerland. She obtained her PhD in 1998 from the MPI for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany (PI Muellen).
A postdoctoral fellowship with CPIMA (NSF-Center for Polymer Interfaces and Macromolecular Assemblies) brought her to the IBM Almaden Research Center, CA, USA (PI Hawker).
In 2001, she joined XenoPort, Inc. as Staff Scientist and started in 2004 her academic career at Vanderbilt University as Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry. In 2011 she was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure.
In 2017 she moved to the University of Houston, TX and was appointed as Full Professor and serves as the Director of the Center of Excellence in Polymer Chemistry, funded by the Welch Foundation and the University of Houston.
She is a Fellow of the RSC (2017) and ACS (2021) and received in 2018/2019/2020/2022 faculty achievement awards (50 in 5) from UH. In March 2025 she received two President’s Circle Awards for the years 2023 and 2024. She has served as an Associate Editor for the RSC (Polymer Chemistry), for Elsevier (European Polymer Journal) and is currently with ACS Polymer Au.
Postdoctoral Scholars
Postdoctoral Scholar
Wenping is originally from China. Before receiving his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Houston in 2022, he obtained his B.S. degree at HeFei University of Technology and a M.S. degree from the University of Science and Technology, China, respectively. After his Ph.D. he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the UT at Austin and UT Health. With a strong interest in chemistry, and polymer science, he is now working as a postdoctoral fellow at UH and joined the group in August 2023.
Graduate Students
Graduate Student
Anwar is from Bangladesh and received his Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm.) and Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm.) degree from the University of Dhaka in 2013 and 2015 respectively. Aman has the experience of working both in industry and academia. Before enrolling in the Ph.D. program at the University of Houston he served as a faculty member at the State University of Bangladesh. Currently, he is pursuing his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry at UH and joined the Harth group in November 2021.
Graduate Student
Muhammad received his Bachelors of Science with Honors in Chemistry from Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan with specialization in synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry. He is the recipient of the Higher Education Commission Fellowship, issued by the Government of Pakistan under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Program. He is interested in all aspects of synthetic polymer chemistry and started in the Harth group in October 2021. His hobbies are photography and playing cricket.
Graduate Student
Sanjana is from Sri Lanka and received a Bachelor of Science with honors in Chemistry from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Her previous research project focused on the development of
core-shell nanoparticles for drug delivery applications, using polymers as the shell materials and CuO as the core. In her free time, she loves dancing, listening to music, and traveling. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Chemistry at UH and joined the Harth group in September 2024.
Graduate Student
Born in Sri Lanka, Sandeep obtained his Bachelor of Science (Honors) Degree in Chemistry from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in October 2022 where he went on to serve as a Teaching Assistant in Organic Chemistry. Driven by a profound interest in the realm of Organic Chemistry, Sandeep embarked on his doctoral studies at the University of Houston in August 2023. With the strong interest he had for Polymer Nanoparticle Based Drug Delivery Systems, he joined Harth’s Lab in October 2023 to explore the world of advanced polymeric materials. Beyond the laboratory, Sandeep hopes to bring a unique dimension to the University of Houston community as a classical dancer, showcasing the rich heritage of Sri Lanka in numerous events, including the Cultural Explosion.
Graduate Student
My name is Rajbir Kaur, and I am from India. I hold a Master of Science in Chemistry, specializing in Organic Chemistry, from Multani Mal Modi College, Patiala, under Punjabi University (2021–2022). I graduated as the top student in my class with a CGPA of 9.6/10. During my studies, I received a Meritorious Award for ranking 1st in my department, an Organic Chemistry Scholarship, and secured 2nd place at a national conference for my research presentation. My Master’s thesis focused on studying phytochemicals from medicinal plants as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 using computational techniques. During my research internship, I worked on developing a cost-effective and easily synthesized sensor for detecting specific ions, particularly heavy metal ions, in water and other samples. As part of this project, I synthesized perimidine derivatives as sensors for Fe³⁺ ions. I joined UH in the Fall of 2024.
Graduate Student
Indira Pandey is from Nepal and completed an organic chemistry master’s program in 2021 at the Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kritipur, Kathmandu, a renowned University of Nepal. Previously, in a Master’s program, Indira completed research entitled “ Evaluation of antioxidant potential and in-vitro alpha-amylase inhibition of different parts of berberis aristata plant extract and isolation of chemical constituents” under the supervision of Dr. Khaga Raj Sharma. She is pursuing a Ph.D at the University of Houston, and joined Dr. Harth’s Lab in November 2024 with an interest in polymer chemistry. Indira hopes to contribute to the advanced development and innovate various applicable polymer materials for mankind.
Graduate Student
Dinelka is originally from Sri Lanka and completed her Bachelor’s of Science with Honors in Chemistry from University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Her previous research project was focused on synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) using both chemical and plant-extract based methods and investigating the catalytic potential of IONPs towards organic reactions. Currently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. degree in Chemistry at UH and joined the Harth group in October 2023.
Graduate Student
Hansi Ranathunga is from Sri Lanka and completed her Bachelor of Science (Honors) degree in Chemistry at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2023. During her time at the university, she served as a teaching assistant in organic chemistry, where she had the opportunity to instruct undergraduate students and deepen her knowledge of various organic chemistry topics. Her previous research project focused on the formulation of a hybrid nano-fertilizer complex utilizing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Houston, starting in August 2024. With a keen interest in interdisciplinary research in polymer and nano chemistry, she joined Harth’s Lab in September 2024, to collaborate on innovative research initiatives within these dynamic fields.
Graduate Student
Hamed is from Iran, where he earned his Master in Polymer Chemistry and his Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry. During his master’s program, he focused on the synthesis and modification of unsaturated polyesters, as well as the modification of an organo-cobalt complex used for the room-temperature disassociation of peroxides through a redox reaction. His passion for Polymer Chemistry led him to join Professor Harth’s lab in October 2024 to pursue his PhD.
Graduate Student
Stephen is from Bangladesh and graduated with an M.Phil. from BUET, Bangladesh, in 2018. Stephen completed his B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry from Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh, in 2010 and 2011, respectively. His previous research projects have focused on the synthesis of composite materials and studying their mechanical properties. He is now pursuing his Ph.D. at UH and has joined the Harth group in October 2021.
Graduate Student
Shinu Shaleela is from India and completed an integrated bachelor’s and master’s program in 2024 at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, a prestigious national institute known for its focus on science education and research. During previous research under Professor Sangit Kumar, Shinu synthesized a novel chiral organotellurium catalyst featuring a chiral quinine backbone. This catalyst demonstrated the ability to enantioselectively transfer highly reactive arylselenol or arylthiol in dichloromethane onto Michael acceptor chalcones, resulting in the synthesis of chiral selenides or chiral sulfides with high yield. Currently, she is pursuing Ph.D. at the University of Houston. In September 2024, Shinu joined Dr. Harth’s lab with an interest in polymer chemistry and hopes to contribute to advancing the development of innovative polymer materials for various applications.
Graduate Student
Jacobo is a Texas native from San Antonio and received his Bachelors of Science at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2020. With a strong interest in organic synthesis and polymer chemistry, he is now pursing a PhD. at UH and joined the Harth group in October of 2021.
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Students
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Student
Giovanna is a Senior Undergraduate Student at UH, majoring in Chemistry. She finished her honors thesis in the Fall of 2021 and continues started to work in the Methodist Hospital in Houston.
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Student
Charlie is a Senior Undergraduate Student at UH, majoring in Biochemistry. She finished her honors thesis in the Fall of 2024 and continues starts her graduate career at the University of Alabama, Birmingham with focus on Developmental Biology.
Undergraduate Students at Vanderbilt 2005 – 2017
Fiona Denham (Honors Thesis); Evan Kravitz; Ariel Kravitz; Brian Mayersohn, Vasanth Sathiyakumar (Honors Thesis and Pearson Award Recipient 2013; Julian Greenbaum; Tyler Terrill; Brian McGrath; Joanne Chou; Harry Watson; Ray Wang; Julian Waksal; Sicheng Ma; Chris Gross; Mark Philipson; Philip Goldberg; Jesse Fenton; Anisse Chaker
Graduate Students
Graduate Student
Chinessa defended in August 2009 and after postdoctoral work at the Howard Hughes Institute she is now a Patent Examiner at USPO.
Graduate Student
Hatice is originally from Turkey and finished her higher education at Bilkent University, Ankara, and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Chemistry. After working in industry for several years, she joined the Harth group in September 2017. Her interests were the exploration of the MILRad polymerization and the further development of the Isomerization Polymerization of alpha-olefins. She graduated in 2022 and joined KRATON in Houston.
Graduate Student
Estela Ordonez grew up in Ecuador and graduated with a double major in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin in 2017. She started her graduate career at UH in the same year in the Harth group and graduated in 2022. She started a career as a patent agent in Houston.
Graduate Student
Dr. Dain B. Beezer is originally from Jamaica and graduated from Fisk University, Nashville, TN. He then completed a Masters degree in Johnson group at Vanderbilt through the Vanderbilt -Fisk Bridge Program. He conducted his PhD in in the Harth group and graduated in 2017. With the move of the group to UH in August 2017, he continued as postdoc from 2017-July 2020 to take then a position as Assistant Professor at Fisk University, which brought him back to Nashville. 🙂 Congratulations to your new position and good luck!
Graduate Student
Teresa defended her thesis in July 2009 and holds a current position as CSO (Chief Food Safety Officer) at the FDA.
Graduate Student
Huong Dau is a graduate from Ho Chi Minh City, University of Medicine and Pharmacy (2014), Vietnam, and worked at Astra Zeneca for more than two years. In 2017, she started in the Ph.D. program at the University of Houston, joining the Harth group. During her tenure she received the SPE Scholarship and the Jay E. Kochi Graduate Fellowship, and graduated in 2022 with the departmental dissertation award. She started her R&D career at PPG in Cincinnati, OH.
Graduate Student
Julia obtained her M.S. in 2009 and continued as Research Assistant in the Harth group from 2009-2011. She is now working as consultant.
Graduate Student
Kelly defended her thesis in June 2017 and is now working as a Principal Scientist at Eco Labs, St. Paul, MN.
Graduate Student
Sharon defended in July 2009 her thesis and after postdoctoral work at Georgia Tech she is now an Assistant Professor at Delta State University, MS.
Graduate Student
Anthony received his Bachelors of Science at Jackson State University, and went on to obtain his Master in Materials Science (June 2017) at the University of Bordeaux, LCPO, France, working with Dr. Olivier Sandre. Anthony has received the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to fund his PhD in Polymer Chemistry. He worked in the Harth group on the development and expanding the scope of the newly discovered metal organic insertion/light induced radical (MILRad) polymerization and graduated with a PhD. in Chemistry in December 2021. He is set to start a postdoctoral position at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Washington, DC.
Graduate Student
Michael graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and started in 2015 in the Harth group his graduate studies and moved with the group to UH. He graduated with a PhD. from VU in July 2019. Currently he is a Senior Scientist for Blacklidge Emulsion Inc. in Gulfport, MS working on asphalt materials.
Graduate Student
Yu-Sheng Liu grew up in Taiwan and graduated in 2014 from National Sun Yat-Sen University in Taipei. He worked for a few years as a Research Assistant at Academia Sinica. He moved to the U.S. and started the graduate program at UH in 2017 and joined the Harth group and graduated in 2022. He started his industrial research scientist career at Merck Inc. in New Jersey.
Graduate Student
Breyinn is a native of Winston-Salem, NC. She graduated from Hampton University (Virginia) in 2016 earning a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in nanoscience. She joined the Harth group in Spring 2017 when still at Vanderbilt University and moved with the group to UH in the Fall of 2017. She became a recipient of the NSF graduate fellowship in 2018 with an application from UH. She graduated with a PhD. in August 2021 is now a Senior Research Scientist at Estee Lauder Companies, Melville, Long Island, NY.
Graduate Student
Michael defended his thesis in March 2018 and graduated in August 2018. He holds a position at Hewlett Packard in San Diego, CA.
Graduate Student
Dee graduated from Case Western University with a B.S. degree. He joined the group in September 2019 and is working on Isomerization polymerization and MILRad polymerization.
Graduate Student
Hasaan graduated from San Jose State University in 2019 with a B.S. and Masters degree with work on ADMET polymerization. He started in September 2019 in the Harth group and his project involves the development of novel metal-organic catalysts for olefin polymerization.
Graduate Student
Artez defended in May 2013 and works in his current position as Instructor at Southwest Georgia Technical College and Educator at Thomasville City Schools.
Graduate Student
Ben graduated in 2015 and is now a Senior Research Scientist at SeLux Diagnostics, Inc. in Boston, MA.
Graduate Student
David Steves graduated in 2014 with a PhD. from the Department of Pharmacology, VUMC and is holding a senior position at the NCI at the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL). Through his extensive knowledge in the nanosponge delivery system and nanonetwork preparation, he is teaching and supporting the start-up who licensed the network technology (1. generation) developed in the Harth lab.
Graduate Student
Enja is originally from Mongolia and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2016 with B.S in chemistry with Magna Cum Laude and worked on natural product synthesis projects. Started at UH August 2017 to pursue my PhD degree in Physical Chemistry and joined the Harth Lab in September 2017. Enja graduated in 2022 and started her R&D career at Lycra in Charlottesville, VA.
Graduate Student
Alice defended in 2010 and she holds a current position as manager at DuPont.
Graduate Student
Laken defended her thesis in February 2019 and graduated in May 2019 from Vanderbilt. She started a position as Research Scientist at Clorox, CA.
Graduate Student
Chenying graduated from Beijing University of Chemical Technology and came to the University of Akron and graduated in 2019 with a Masters degree under the guidance of Professor Colleen Pugh. She started in September 2019 and is interested in radical polymerizations.
Postdoctoral Scholars
Postdoctoral Scholar
Dain defended his thesis in August 2017 and currently working as a Postdoctoral Associate in the Harth group at UH.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Dr. Glen R. Jones completed his PhD in 2018 from the University of Warwick, UK, working under the guidance of Professor Haddleton. He joined the Harth group from October 2018 – August 2020 as postdoctoral scholar and investigated the isomerization of alpha olefins and their unique polymerization. He then returned to the UK.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Dr. Fanny Joubert was a postdoctoral scholar in the Harth lab from January 2015 – January 2016.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Dr. Guangzhao Li was a postdoctoral scholar in the Harth group from 2012-2015 and went back to China where he is now an Associate Professor.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Valentin Puchelle grew up in France and received his B.S. degree from the University Paris-Est Creteil with a dual degree in Chemistry and Biology. He continued his studies at Sorbonne University and obtained a M.S. degree in 2017 and completed his Ph.D. in 2020 (PIs Guegan and Illy). From 2020 to 2022 he was a postdoctoral scholar at UH in the Harth group and started his industrial career at TotalEnergies.
