Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Remy Lalisse
Dr. Dinabandhu Sar
Remy Lalisse was born and raised in Rochester, New York. In 2017, he graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a Bachelor's in Chemistry. He pursued doctoral studies with Prof. Hadad at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. His doctoral work focused on the various forms of treatment for organophosphorous poisoning and mechanistic studies for asymmetric hydrofunctionalization from readily available materials in collaboration with Prof. T. V. RajanBabu. He obtained his PhD degree in August 2022. In his free time, Remy enjoys watching movies, rock climbing, and watching football.
“Nothing is more practical than a good theory.”
-Ludwig Boltzmann
Dinabandhu was born and raised in Garbeta, India. He did his graduation in chemistry (Hons) and master in Organic Chemistry from Vidyasagar University, India. He pursued doctoral studies in Prof. T. Punniyamurthy lab at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, India. His doctoral work focused on C-H functionalization reaction. He obtained his PhD degree in January 2017. From June 2017 to December 2020, he conducted his research in Prof. Dipanjan Pan’s lab as a postdoctoral researcher at Bioengineering Department at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he focused on synthesizing novel small molecule and macromolecular agents for molecularly targeted imaging and therapy for treating cancer and cardiovascular disease. Then he worked in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Baylor University from January 2020 to September 2020, with Dr. B. Lindley on pincer complex synthesis and their application in organic methodology. He joined Dr. Gutierrez’s group in October 2020, working on Iron catalyzed Cross-Coupling reactions. In his free time, Dinabandhu enjoys watching detective movies and spending time with family.
If I am anything, which I highly doubt, I have made myself so by hard work
- Isaac Newton
Dr. Ángel Rentería-Gómez
Ángel Rentería-Gómez was born and raised in Guanajuato, México. He did his bachelor’s in chemistry, pharmacy, and biology (QFB for its abbreviation in Spanish) in Guanajuato University. He pursued doctoral studies in Prof. María del Rocio Gámez-Montaño group in the same university. His doctoral work focused on isocyanide-based multicomponent reaction (I-MCR) and mechanistic studies using DFT with the co-advisory of Prof. Jose Oscar Carlos Jimenez-Halla. In his last year of doctorate, Angel did a research stay with Professor Jieping Zhu at the EPFL-LSPN (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne-Laboratory of synthesis and natural products) in Lausanne, Switzerland, worked in MCR methodologies. He obtained his PhD degree in May 2019 (Honor: “summa cumme laude”). From Sep 2019 to December 2020, he worked like researcher and development chemist in Uquifa México S.A. de C.V. (Cuernavaca, México), where he focused on design, synthesis, purification, and characterization of reference standards for use in the manufacture of APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients). He joined Dr. Gutierrez’s group in January 2021 as a Fulbright-García Robles scholar, working on Iron catalyzed Cross-Coupling reactions and computational research.
“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.”
Stephen Hawking
Dr. Ming-Hsiu Yang
Minghsiu was born and raised in Taiwan. She did her bachelor in chemistry from Tunghai University and master in organic chemistry from National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan. He pursued doctoral studies in Prof. Ryan Altman lab at the University of Kansas. Her doctoral work focused on Pd-catalyzed fluoroalkylation reactions. She obtained his PhD degree in 2017. After that, she conducted her research as a postdoctoral associate at Scripps Research, where she focused on synthesizing TLR agonists and their conjugates with polypeptides. She joined Dr. Gutierrez’s group in June 2022, working on asymmetric iron-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.
"Life is a wheel of fortune and it's my turn to spin it."
-Tupac Shakur
Ph.D. Students
Poulami Mukherjee
Poulami was born in West Bengal, India and was raised in Ukhra, a small town in West Bengal. She completed her Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) from Jadavpur University in 2020 and then completed her masters from IIT Guwahati in 2022. Her master's thesis was done under the supervision of Prof. Bhubaneswar Mandal where she worked in transition metal free synthesis of aryl thioethers via ipso nucleophilic substitution reaction. In fall 2022, she joined Dr. Gutierrez's group where she is working on synthesis of multicomponent iron-catalyzed cross coupling reaction and further explore her interest in synthetic organic chemistry. She is also interested in working on applications of density functional theory to understand the reaction mechanism of organometallic and organic reaction as well. In free time, she does photography; listens to music; cooks food.
“We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained”-----------Marie Curie
Mac was born in Reston, Virginia and raised in Houston, Texas. She received her Bachelor’s in Chemistry and Biology at Stephen F. Austin State University in 2022. There she worked in Dr. Franks’ lab on hydrolysable tannin analysis in hickory nuts.
She joined Dr. Gutierrez’s group in Fall 2022 to pursue research in iron catalyzed cross-coupling reactions to gain more knowledge and experience in the field of organic chemistry. In her free time, Mac enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” - Isaac Newton
Macayla Guerrero
Tapas was born in West Bengal, India and was raised in Ichhapur, a small village in West Bengal. He completed his Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science from Bengal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research under MAKAUT, WB in 2018 and then he moved to NIPER, Mohali for his masters. His master's thesis was done under the supervision of Dr. Joydev K. Laha where he worked on Generation and Reactivity of Arene Radical by Green Approach. After that he was appointed as a Junior Research Fellow in his previous group where he developed the formylation of azaindole by SET approach. In fall 2022, he joined Dr. Gutierrez's group where he is focusing to develop iron catalyzed enantioselective multicomponent radical cross -coupling reactions.
“You can’t cross the see merely by standing and staring at the water.”- Rabindranath Tagore
Tapas Maity
Achyut Gogoi
Jacob Grygus
Achyut was born in Assam, India and was raised in Nazira, a small town in Assam. He completed his Bachelor of Science(Chemistry) from Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi in 2019 and then completed his masters from IIT Bombay in 2021. His master's thesis was done under the supervision of Prof. R.B. Sunoj where he worked on DFT based mechanistic investigation of transition metal catalyzed C-H activation reactions. In fall 2021, he joined Dr. Gutierrez's group where he is working on applications of density functional theory to understand the reaction mechanisms of transition metal catalyzed reactions. He is also interested in the applications of machine learning to predict, design and improve the catalytic efficiency of various metal catalyzed reactions.
"Equipped with my five senses, I want to explore the universe around me and call the adventure science"
-Edwin Powell Hubble"
Jacob was born and raised in Mokena, Illinois, receiving his Bachelor’s in Chemistry at the University of Arkansas in 2021. As a 2019 NSF-REU student and later a transfer student to the University of Arkansas, Jacob worked under the direction of Dr. Nan Zheng. Exploring his interests in organic chemistry, Jacob investigated the cleavage of strained “cyloaminal” compounds using hypervalent iodine reagents and photocatalysis as a method to achieve selective C-H functionalization. In the fall of the same year Jacob enrolled in Texas A&M University’s Chemistry Department as a graduate student, joining the Gutierrez Research Group where he does synthetic work in multicomponent iron-catalyzed cross coupling reactions and further explore his interests in synthetic organic chemistry. In the free time he can find, Jacob enjoys reading, going on hikes, cooking, baking, exploring history and talking to family.
“It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
Robert Martin
Robert was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. He attends the University of Maryland, College Park where he is earning his (triple) BS in Chemistry, Mathematics, and in Education. He has worked as a TA for Organic Chemistry lab for 2 years and is currently working on the student teaching required to complete his certification for education. He decided to pursue research in Dr. Gutierrez's lab after taking Advanced Organic Chemistry with Dr. Gutierrez, and is currently working on computational research in the group. In his free time, he enjoys playing Pokemon, listening to rap music, and spending time with his family.
It was all a dream
- Notorious BIG
Cassandra Youshaw
Cassy was born and raised in Howard County, Maryland. She graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2019 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics.
There she worked in Dr. Chase’s lab, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of the fluorescent dye, Aza-BODIPY. She joined the Gutierrez group in Fall of 2019, working on iron catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. In her free time, Cassy enjoys watching nerdy movies and spending time with her family.
I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift or easy.
-Marie Curie
Shuai Yin was born in Tianjin, China, and graduated in 2018 with B.S in Chemistry at Nankai University, China. In his undergraduate, he developed his interest of Organic mechanism and Physical chemistry. Driven by his strong interest of chemistry, he was admitted by Drexel University, where he worked in Dr. Martinez’s group, working on Pauson-Khand reaction.
In Fall 2020, he decided to pursue research in Dr. Gutierrez’s lab to have further study on the computational chemistry and the research of organic mechanism. In his free time, Shuai enjoys cooking, reading and playing computer games.
God does not play dice.
— Albert Einstein
Shuai Yin
Undergraduate Students
Katya Beltran
Katya grew up in Silver Spring Maryland where she first discovered her love of chemistry in her IB HL chemistry class at Richard Montgomery High School. Ever since she was young, she loved doing puzzles with her grandfather and playing detective with her younger sister. She found that forensic science satisfied all her passions. She is excited to be a part of "The Original OG Research Labs" and do research in the field of Organic Chemistry for the first time. Some of her other passions include playing cello, working out, and dancing.
“Practice does not make perfect. Practice makes permanent. Repeat the same mistakes over and over, and you don't get any closer to Carnegie Hall.”
-Sarah Kay, No Matter the Wreckage
Melanie Garcia
Melanie Garcia was born in Oak Lawn, Illinois. She is currently attending Texas A&M University and is pursuing her B.S. degree in Chemistry. During her undergraduate courses, Melanie developed a curiosity for the applications of chemistry in biological systems and decided to integrate a biological chemistry track into her studies to explore her interests in biological chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology. During her free time, Melanie enjoys knitting and watching action movies.
“For a research worker, the unforgotten moments of his life are those rare ones which come after years of plodding work, when the veil over nature’s secret seems suddenly to lift & when what was dark & chaotic appears in a clear & beautiful light & pattern.”
- Gerty Cori
Mireya Ramirez Lopez
Lukas Morehead
Alfonso Ortiz
Mireya grew up in Huntsville, Texas where she attended Huntsville High School. She then moved on to complete her basics at Blinn College in Bryan, Texas and transferred to A&M to pursue a B.S in Chemistry where she developed an interest in sustainable chemistry. She began her work with Dr. Gutierrez’s lab in the Summer of 2022 where she works on synthesizing auxiliary compounds that will be used to explore three component cross-coupling reactions.
In her free time, Mireya enjoys spending time with family and her six pets. Her other interests include hiking, kayaking, painting and cooking.
“I don't feel particularly proud of myself. But when I walk alone in the woods or lie in the meadows, all is well.”
― Franz Kafka
Lukas Morehead was born in Longmont, Colorado, and raised in many different states- Texas the longest. He is attending Texas A&M University and working towards obtaining a BS in Chemistry. Lukas is a pre-med student and started research in organic chemistry to gain some background for when he applies to medical school. He wanted to explore organic chemistry research under the advice of his uncle, who is an organic chemistry professor at ECU. Lukas is quite excited to begin with the Gutierrez group. In his free time, Lukas enjoys working out, watching movies, and trying new places to eat.
"The science of today is the technology of tomorrow."
-Edward Teller
Alfonso Ortiz was born in Pilot Point, Texas. He attended Pilot Point High School while completing collegiate coursework through North Central Texas College in Gainesville, Texas. Currently, he is pursuing a B.S. in Animal Science at Texas A&M. Alfonso is also a pre-med student who developed a passion for medicine through the hardships of living with asthma. With The Gutierrez Group, he plans to fuel his passion for medicine and science by researching organic/organometallic reaction mechanisms. Ultimately leading to his acceptance into an MD program. In his free time, Alfonso enjoys running, weight lifting, and playing 42 with his friends.
“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”
- Aristotle Onassis
Former Members
Ph.D. Students
Dr. Zhihui Song (2017-2022)
•Current Position: Research Scientist at Sinopec Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Industry [songzhihui0820_at_icloud.com]
Dr. Ryan Dykstra (2017-2022)
•Current Position: Postdoctoral Researcher at Merck. [ryan.dykstra_at_merck.com]
Dr. Mingbin Yuan (2017-2022)
•Current Position: Postdoctoral Researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory. [myuan_at_lanl.gov]
Dr. Madeline E. Rotella (2016-2021)
•Current Position: Postdoctoral Researcher at UPenn with Prof. Kozlowski. [mrotella_at_sas.upenn.edu]
Dr. Wes Lee (2016-2021)
•Current Position: Postdoctoral Researcher at NIH. [wes.lee_at_nih.gov]
Postdoctoral Researchers
Dr. Lei Liu
•Current Position: Medicinal Chemist at Incyte Corporation
Dr. Jun Zhou
•Current Position: Assistant Professor at Changsha University of Science & Technology
Visiting Scholars
Camila Aguilera (2022)
•Current Position: Ph.D. student at U. Rochester with Prof. Neidig
Undergraduates
Yem Nguimbous (Prince George's Community College)
Anthony Ramirez Chincilla (Prince George's Community College)
Saul Flores
Joshua Turman (Prince George's Community College)
Dale Allen (Prince George's Community College)
Abigail Hunker (McNair Scholar @ Frostburg State University)
Emma Walter
Stephanie Vargas
David Polefrone
Zachary Wilhelm
Onyemachi Azubuko (Prince George's Community College)
Brandon Williams (Prince George's Community College)
Yuliang (Aaron) Wu
Michael “Ben” Geherty
Victor Baumann
Donovaun Bialose (McNair Scholar @ University of Maryland)
Surjo Bandyopadhyay
Linus Nemiroff
Michael Davis
Christopher Acha (Prince George's Community College; McNair Scholar @ University of Maryland)
Ashley Henriquez (Prince George's Community College)
Simone Williams
Ashley Onwu
Alyssa Manio (Prince George's Community College)
Monica Cardenas
High School Students
Oreoluwa Akinyodee, Academy of Health and Sciences @ Prince George's Community College
Deeya Garg, Montgomery Blair High School
Pratik Lahiri, Richard Montgomery High School