About

2023-2024 Officers

Sarah Gustafson (She/her/hers)
Sarah Gustafson (She/her/hers)Presidentgustaf14@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role

Sarah Gustafson is originally from Elgin, South Carolina, and graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of South Carolina in 2022. At Purdue, she is advised by Dr. Gounder and her research focuses on thermal catalysis and zeolite synthesis. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys reading, playing piano, and exploring the outdoors.  

Leads GSO meetings, oversees planning and execution of Symposium, liaises with the School of Chemical Engineering administration on behalf of the graduate student body.

Zachary Beickman (He/him/his)
Zachary Beickman (He/him/his)Vice Presidentzbeickma@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role

Zachary is from Henderson, Kentucky and graduated with a B.S. in chemical engineering from University of Kentucky in 2022. He is advised by Dr. Liu studying cartilage tissue engineering and molecular cloning of recombinant proteins. Zachary's hobbies include playing board games, reading comic books, and cooking. 

Assists President in overseeing event planning; manages finances for Symposium and events throughout the year; supports committees in events planning and operations when necessary.

Megha Das (She/her/hers)
Megha Das (She/her/hers)Co-Curricular Chairdas239@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role

I am from West Bengal, India. I received my B.E. in Chemical Engineering from Jadavpur University in 2023. I am being co-advised by Dr. Zoltan K. Nagy and Dr. Gintaras V Reklaitis. My current research centers on Real-time monitoring and Advanced control of Integrated Additive manufacturing platforms. My hobbies include performing classical Bharatnatyam dance, traveling, hiking, and baking.

Responsible for hybrid social/professional development events like Truth and Beauty seminars and Future Faculty Lunches.

Zachary M. Hillman
Zachary M. Hillman Outreach Chairzhillma@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role

Zachary Hillman earned his B. S. in Chemical Engineering from Brigham Young University in April 2023. That August, he began his graduate studies here at Purdue University being co-advised by Dr. Reklaitis and Dr. Nagy where he studies process control and optimization, specifically for crystallization systems. When he is not working, he enjoys solo athletic activities such as running, rucking, and archery.

Responsible for educational outreach events such as the After School Science Education Program at Murdock Elementary.

Esra Ulgey (She/her/hers)
Esra Ulgey (She/her/hers)Sustainability Chaireulgey@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role

Esra is from Canakkale, Turkey. She did her undergrad and master’s from Bogazici University in 2019 and 2022, respectively. She joined Purdue in the Fall of 2022 and now she is a member of the Savoie group. Her research area is understanding the reaction mechanism of electrolytes in high concentrated lithium-ion batteries. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, playing games, reading, and watching cat videos.

Responsible for sustainability efforts within the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, including recycling initiatives and clothing drives.

Sarah Finch (They/Them)
Sarah Finch (They/Them)Social Chairsarahfin@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role

Sarah is from San Antonio, Texas, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University in 2023. She is a first-year Ph.D. member of the Beaudoin Research group. Her research revolves around the manufacturing of defense-critical chemicals. In her free time, she has a love of fun colored hair dye, dungeons and dragons, and cooking tasty meals.

Responsible for social (i.e. non-sports related) events throughout the year (e.g. quiz bowl, ice skating, mini golf, bowling, happy hour).

Katherine Young (She/her/hers)
Katherine Young (She/her/hers)Purdue Graduate Student Government Representativeyoung514@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role

Katherine is from Wenonah, New Jersey. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering at Purdue University. She is currently working in the Nagy group on the design of crystallization systems under the presence of impurities. Katherine's hobbies include reading, traveling, and puzzles.  

Serves as Voting Representative on graduate committee; speaks with students throughout the year to allow graduate students to provide input (both anonymous and otherwise) regarding what they would like to see from GSO or how GSO could better represent their interests as ChE grad students

Isaac Timmer (He/him/his)
Isaac Timmer (He/him/his)First-year Representativeitimmer@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role

Isaac is from Byron Center, MI and he completed his BS in Engineering, Chemical Concentration from Calvin University (Grand Rapids). Isaac is advised by Dr. John Morgan and is working on modeling metabolism in species of plants, yeast, and bacteria. Isaac enjoys playing and watching soccer, and likes to play games, especially pinochle. 

Contacts new first-year students throughout the summer to make sure any questions about moving to Lafayette, starting at Purdue, etc. are answered; leads planning of welcome picnic for first-year students; represents first-years throughout the school year at graduate committee meetings; organizes mentor-mentee program.

Sameera Vellore (She/her/hers)
Sameera Vellore (She/her/hers)First-year Representativesvellor@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role

Sameera Vellore is from Hyderabad, India. She graduated with a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Raipur in 2020 and completed her Masters in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2023. She is advised by Dr. Julie Liu and is working on the development of an in vitro Adipose tissue model. In her free time, Sameera enjoys basketball, reading, and traveling.

Contacts new first-year students throughout the summer to make sure any questions about moving to Lafayette, starting at Purdue, etc. are answered; leads planning of welcome picnic for first-year students; represents first-years throughout the school year at graduate committee meetings; organizes mentor-mentee program.

Wei-Ling Huang (She/her/hers)
Wei-Ling Huang (She/her/hers)Safety Chairhuan1914@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role

Wei-Ling graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from National Taiwan University in 2022 and joined Purdue in the Fall. She is advised by Dr. Jeff Miller and her research focuses on non-zeolite-based catalysts catalysis for olefin reactions. Wei-Ling enjoys playing piano, exercising, and exploring musical concerts in her spare time. 

Responsible for safety awareness, accountability, and transparency programming in the School of Chemical Engineering; also serves as a member of the Departmental Safety Committee

Anurag Ramesh (He/him/his)
Anurag Ramesh (He/him/his)Student Advocacy Officerrames102@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role
My name is Anurag Ramesh. I am a second-year graduate student advised by Prof. David. E. Bernal working on benchmarking classical and quantum algorithms for optimization and computational chemistry. My interests include watching and playing soccer, trying different cuisines, and listening to music 

Represents ChE GSO in PGSG, which hosts university-wide social events for graduate students (e.g. the grad student semi-formal at Lafayette Brewing Co.), provides travel grants and other forms of financial assistance for grad students, and advocates graduate students' interests in Purdue policies.

Ashutosh Bhadouria (He/Him/His)
Ashutosh Bhadouria (He/Him/His)Sports Chairabhadou@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role

Ashu is from Mumbai, India. He graduated with a B.Sc. from UC Berkeley and is advised by Prof. Brian Tackett and Prof. Jeffrey Greeley at Purdue. His research focuses on electrocatalysis. In his free time, Ashu likes to play sports, try out new restaurants and travel!

Responsible for sports events throughout the year, including intramural sports teams organization, informal kickball and frisbee games, etc.

Dalton Yu (He/him/his)
Dalton Yu (He/him/his)Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chairyu925@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role
Dalton Yu is from Potomac, Maryland, and he completed his B.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2023. He is co-advised by Dr. Zoltan Nagy and Dr. Gintaras Reklaitis and works on plant-wide control for continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing. In his free time, he likes to run, watch sports, and explore the outdoors. 

Promote a more diverse and inclusive atmosphere for graduate students while they pursue their studies, facilitate cross-cultural exchange within the diverse student body, engage faculty in the same.

Samantha Jernigan (She/Her/Hers)
Samantha Jernigan (She/Her/Hers)Communications Chairjernigan@purdue.edu
  • Bio
  • Role
Samantha Jernigan is from Ponca City, Oklahoma. She completed her B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Oklahoma State University and is now a second year student advised by Dr.Tackett and Dr. Beaudoin. Her research mainly focuses on the electrocatalysis of defense critical materials. In her free time, she likes to read, hike and play dungeons and dragons.

Manages GSO website, events calendar, Facebook page and Twitter page; Takes meeting minutes and posts them for public viewing on GSO website; Publicizes about GSO events on social media; Prepares write-up about GSO activities for dept newsletters.