People
Principle Investigator
Amy Xu, Ph.D.
Aug 2020 - Assistant Professor
2017-2020 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow at NIST/University of Maryland
2016-2017 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Massachusetts Amherst
2013-2016 - PhD, University of Auckland, NZ
2012 - BSc 1st Class Honours, University of Auckland, NZ
2009 - BSc, University of Auckland, NZ
Graduate Students
Shanta Biswas
Project: Phase Behaviour of protein and polymer complexes in crowded environments
2015 - MSc, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
2013 - BSc, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Shanta is from Bangladesh. Before joining LSU to pursue her graduate studies, she was a lecturer in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of Dhaka. She received many prestigious awards, including the Dean's Award and the National Science and Technology fellowship from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh. Her research interests focus on the characterization and development of biopolymers for various applications. Apart from spending time in the lab, she loves traveling and cooking, especially trying the traditional dishes from all around the world.
Khaleda Rinee
Project: Understanding the mechanism of action of aluminum adjuvants
2019 - BSc, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Khaleda completed her undergraduate studies in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2019. Chemistry has always been her favorite subject. Her curiosity about chemistry aroused from several natural phenomena: cooking, for example, since cooking is nothing but changes in chemistry. She believes that a good chemist must be a good cook. Since Spring 2021, she has been studying in the Chemistry Department at LSU, trying to figure out how aluminum adjuvants could improve the efficacy of vaccine products.
Sulochana Ekanayaka Mudiyanselage (Sulo)
Project: Dilution-induced complex coacervation
2020 - BSc (Honours) in Chemistry, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Sulo graduated from University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, in 2020 with a BSc (Honours) degree in Chemistry. She has a keen interest in Chemistry since childhood. Her current research interests are biopolymers. Her hobbies are travelling, baking and playing music.
Bailey Broderick
Project: Understanding the mechanism of action of aluminum adjuvants
May 2022- BSc with concentration in Biochemistry, UNCW
Bailey is originally from Philadelphia. She studied as an undergrad at University of North Carolina-Wilmington, where she was very involved in the chemistry community. She found her love for science at the elementary school science fair. When not in the lab, she enjoys her time outdoors especially sitting on the beach reading a book.
Dilki Jayathilaka
Project: Phase behavior of protein and polysaccharide complexes
2020 - BSc (Honours) in Chemistry, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Dilki Jayathilaka is a graduate of the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Honors in Chemistry, achieving first-class honors. She has been recognized with the Professor S. Mageswaran Gold Medal for outstanding performance in Advanced Organic Chemistry at the Honors Degree examination in Science and was included on the Dean’s List for her achievements in undergraduate-level examinations in science. She served as a teaching assistant in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Jaffna from 2021 to 2022. Additionally, she had the chance to work as a research assistant in the same department. Her professional journey continued at the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), a leading institution in Nano and advanced technology research in Sri Lanka, where she worked from 2022 to 2023. Dilki enjoys traveling, exploring cities, and spending time with her family.
Undergraduate Students
Alison Hecht
Project: Phase Behaviour of protein and polymer complexes
Senior in Biochemistry at LSU
Alison is currently majoring in Biochemistry. She is interested in the medical field and research. She plans on pursuing an MD/PhD after getting her bachelor's degree. Her hobbies include reading and traveling.
Sadie Noble
Project: Phase Behaviour of proteins in crowded environments
Senior in Chemistry at LSU
Sadie is an undergraduate student majoring in chemistry. She plans on going to grad school for her PhD in analytical chemistry. Her hobbies are reading, crafts, and traveling to the beach.
Group Alumni
Qutell Adderley - MSc in Chemistry, Class of 2022. Currently at Chemours, Delaware
Victoria Rittell - MSc in Chemistry, Class of 2023
Thy Vu - BSc in Biochemistry, Class of 2023. Currently at Eurofins New Orleans, Louisiana
Gabrielle Abate - BSc in Biochemistry, LSU
Zoe Patton - BSc in Biochemistry, LSU
Sandini Fernando - BSc in Chemistry, LSU
Group Mascots
Haka
Project: Following Amy and asking for food
Finn
Project: Eating Everything