Mamta earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with honors from Delhi University, India. Afterward, she joined IISER (Indian Institute for science education and research), Mohali, for an integrated MS-PhD degree. She became a part of Prof. Sanjay Singh’s group for her master’s project, where she developed a keen interest in the cationic chemistry of main group elements (B and Al). Subsequently, she continued her Ph.D in the same lab. Her Ph.D. dissertation focused on synthesizing the highly Lewis acidic cationic aluminum complexes and studying their reactivity and catalytic applications in reduction chemistry. Apart from synthesizing new molecules in lab and discovering some chemistry, she enjoys trekking, playing tennis, and reading.

Kaitlyn is from Slidell, LA and started her undergraduate career at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2018. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in Public Health in December 2021. While there, she conducted research under Dr. Matthew Donahue, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of nitrogen heterocycles. In Fall 2022, Kaitlyn began her graduate studies at Rice. Outside of the lab, Kaitlyn enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her cat and dog, Ivy and Willow

Dinora is a native Houstonian and went to the University of St. Thomas where she earned her B.S. in Chemistry and Physics. In her undergraduate studies, she worked with Dr. Javoris Hollingsworth to synthesize gold nanoparticles for cancer therapy. In the summer of 2021, she worked in Dr. Julian West's lab at Rice University where she worked on a remote functionalization for small molecules via metal chain walking. Dinora started at Rice in fall 2022 to pursue her Ph.D. in Chemistry. In her free time, she enjoys playing on her Nintendo Switch, especially Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing, and doing anything fun with her friends.

Kimberly is from Houston, Texas and earned her B.S. in Chemistry in December of 2022 from UT Austin. During her time there she participated in the FRI program throughout her degree in the lab of Dr. Anthony Dylla. Kimberly did work with dendrimer encapsulated nanoparticles and photo-polymerization of dyes with a focus in spectroscopy. She started at Rice in Fall 2023 and is excited to be back in Houston! Outside of the lab, Kimberly enjoys crafting, reading, wedding planning, and spending time with her wife and puppy.

Damien is from Batesville, Mississippi and attended the University of Southern Mississippi earning his B.S. in Chemistry in Spring 2024. While there, he was a member of the Donahue Research Group where he conducted research on the synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles. In Fall 2024 Damien began his graduate career at Rice University. When not in lab, Damien enjoys cooking, going on walks, and playing video games.