Recent Group Alumni
Brent K. Amberger
Credentials: Ph.D.
Brent Amberger received his B.A. in chemistry from Amherst College in 2008. At Amherst, Brent spent time working with Professor David Hansen synthesizing molecularly imprinted polymers. Later, he did his undergraduate thesis research with Professors Helen Leung and Mark Marshall, using microwave spectroscopy in the structural determination of small gas phase Van der Waals complexes. At Wisconsin, Brent worked with Professor McMahon in the collaborative rotational spectroscopy sub-group with Brian Esselman and Professor R. Claude Woods. He used a glow-discharge, millimeter-wave spectrometer to observe rotational transitions for small organic molecules. Once rotational spectra for these compounds are known, they can be searched for in space using radio telescopes. Brent owns many things, including a canoe, a cat, and a clownfish.
Brent graduated with a PhD in 2015 and is currently a Senior Researcher at Allergy Amulet in Lowell, MA.
Brandon Dobraska
Credentials: B.S.
Email: dobraska@wisc.edu
Brandon is a Senior at UW Madison pursuing a B.S. in chemistry and is currently working under the guidance of Andrew Owen on computational chemistry. In his time that strays from the academic in nature, Brandon loves fishing and routinely explores new bodies of water. He also enjoys cruising country backroads on his new motorcycle.
Brandon received his Bachelor’s degree in 2017.
Ben C. Haenni
Credentials: Ph.D.
Ben received a B.S in Chemistry and BCMB (Biochemical,Cell, and Molecular Biology) from Drake University in 2010. While there he worked with Dr. Gholam Mirafzal on the green applications of ionic liquids for organic synthesis. In the McMahon Group, Ben applied computational chemistry to wide range of topics and molecules, from tunneling in carbenes to excited state calculations. Ben eats a small variety of food.
Ben received his PhD in 2016 and now instructs at UW – La Crosse.
Zachary Heim
Credentials: B.S.
Email: zheim@wisc.edu
Zach is a senior chemistry major. He joined after a short project with the group as a part of the 115/116 program. He is currently working on rotational spectroscopy of pyrimidine. When not sciencing, Zach enjoys spending his time playing hockey, fishing, and travelling.
Zach received his Bachelor’s degree in 2017.
Phoenix Higgins
Credentials: B.S.
Email: phiggins4@wisc.edu
Phoenix is a junior studying chemistry at UW-Madison with plans to get a PhD in Organic Chemistry after he graduates. He is currently studying the rotational spectrum of chloropyrazine and its isotopologues under the mentorship of Dr. Brian Esselman. When not doing research, Phoenix enjoys reading, playing board games with his girlfriend, and watching tv.
Grace Hyland
Credentials: B.S.
Email: ghyland@wisc.edu
Grace is a senior at UW Madison studying Chemistry and Spanish. She is currently assisting Sam Kougias in the synthesis of astrochemically relevant nitriles. When not science-ing, Grace enjoys yoga, baking, and chemistry puns.
Grace received her Bachelor’s degree in 2018.
Stephanie N. Knezz
Credentials: Ph.D.
Email: stephanie.knezz@northwestern.edu
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Stephanie received a B.S. in chemistry from Butler University in 2011. During her time there, she worked on a variety of projects with Dr. John Esteb, including a chemical education project developing experiments for the organic teaching labs and synthesis of novel β-lactams in conjunction with a small group from Eli Lilly. In the McMahon Group, Stephanie applied matrix isolation in conjugation with various spectroscopic techniques to study reactive organic molecules. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys seeing live music, singing, and camping. Stephanie received her PhD in 2016, and now works at Northwestern University. |
Danny Lee
Credentials: B.S.
Email: djlee6@wisc.edu
Danny is currently a senior pursuing a Chemistry major and is interested in sustainable energy and environmental chemistry. He is working with Sam Kougias synthesizing, isolating, and characterizing a series of novel compounds of astrochemical interest. Some of Danny’s favorite pastimes include photography, golfing, and watching the Chicago Cubs.
Cara Schwarz
Credentials: M.S.
Email: ceschwarz@wisc.edu
Cara graduated from UW Madison with a B.S. degree in chemistry. She is currently working on rotational spectroscopy of phenyl isocyanate. Aside from chemistry, she enjoys skiing, Rubik’s cubes, and spending time outside.
Cara received her Master’s degree in 2017.
Cara is now a member of the Stowe Research Group at UW-Madison.
Ph.D. Graduates
Dr. Steven W. Albrecht
Business Development Manager
AVEKA, Inc.
Email:
Ph.D. 1995 (RJM #4)
Dr. Eric S. Ball
Department of Chemistry
Metropolitan State College
Email: eball2@mscd.edu
Ph.D. 2000 (RJM #12)
Professor Nicola J. Burrmann
Heartland Community College
Email: nicola.bantz@heartland.edu
Ph.D. 2010 (RJM #22)
Dr. Terence M. Barnhart
Senior Director of Straegy and Continuous Improvement
Pfizer
Email:
Ph.D. 1993 (RJM #2)
Professor Paul A. Bonvallet
Department of Chemistry
College of Wooster
Email: PBonvallet@wooster.edu
Ph.D. 2001 (RJM #13)
Professor Nathan P. Bowling
Department of Chemistry
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Email: Nate.Bowling@uwsp.edu
Ph.D. 2005 (RJM #16)
Dr. Eric M. Breitung
General Electric Company
Email: breitung@crd.ge.com
Ph.D. 1999 (RJM #10)
Dr. Jeffrey T. DePinto
Air Products and Chemicals
Email: depintjt@apci.com
Ph.D. 1993 (RJM #3)
Professor Wendy A. deProphetis
Department of Chemistry and Physics
Wagner College
Email: wdeproph@wagner.edu
Ph.D. 2004 (RJM #15)
Dr. Brian J. Esselman
Department of Chemistry
University of Wisconsin
Email: esselman@wisc.edu
Ph. D. 2012 (RJM #27)
Dr. Robert J. Halter
Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Email: rhalter@myriad.com
Ph.D. 2002 (RJM #14)
Dr. Jonathan A. Hodges
Affinergy, Inc.
Email: jahodges@nc.rr.com
Ph.D. 2000 (RJM #11)
Professor Carl R. Kemnitz
Department of Chemistry
California State University Bakersfield
Email: carl_kemnitz@firstclass1.csubak.edu
Ph.D. 1995 (RJM #7)
Dr. Yong Seol Kim
Bergische Universität Wuppertal
Email: yokim@uni-wuppertal.de
Ph.D. 2005 (RJM #17)
Dr. Laura A. Kopff
Ph.D. 2012 (RJM #26)
Dr. Kevin L. Kott
The Procter and Gamble Company
Email: kott.kl@pg.com
Ph.D. 1993 (RJM #1)
Dr. Susan P. Lucas
Email: susanplucas@gmail.com
Ph.D. 2006 (RJM #18)
Professor Jessica L. Menke
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Email: menkej@uww.edu
Ph.D. 2010 (RJM #23)
Professor Eric V. Patterson
Truman State University
Email: menkej@uww.edu
Ph.D. 2010 (RJM #8)
Professor Caroline R. Pharr
Mercyhurst College
cpharr@mercyhurst.edu
Ph.D. 2008 (RJM #20)
Dr. Randal A. Seburg
Merck Research Laboratories
Email: randal_seburg@merck.com
Ph.D. 1995 (RJM #6)
Dr. Christopher J. Shaffer Institute of Organic Chemistry
and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i.
Email: shaffer@uochb.cas.cz
Ph.D. 2010 (RJM #24)
Professor Louise L. Stracener
Department of Natural Science
Edgewood College
Email: lstracener@edgewood.edu
Ph.D. 1998 (RJM #9)
Dr. Phillip S. Thomas
Ohio State University (Post-Doc)
Email: pthomas@chemistry.ohio-state.edu
Ph.D. 2007 (RJM #19)
Professor Craig M. Whitaker
Department of Chemistry
U.S. Naval Academy
Email: whitaker@brass.mathsci.usna.edu
Ph.D. 1995 (RJM #5)
Dr. Katherine (Traynor) Windsor
Department of Chemistry
Vanderbilt University
Email: katherine.windsor@vanderbilt.edu
Ph.D. 2010 (RJM #21)
M.S. Graduates
Brian Barnes
M.S. 1998
Susie Belal
M.S. 1998
Sean Birke
Jefferson College
Email: sbirke@jeffco.edu
M.S. 1990
Beatriz DeGuia
M.S. 2004
Prof. Nancy Carter Dopke
Mercer University
Email: dopke_nc@mercer.edu
M.S. 1996
Thomas Draxler
Email: twd007@gmail.com
M.S. 2011
Ryan Fimmen
Ohio State University
Email: fimmen.2@osu.edu
M.S. 1998
Terese A. (Kreifels) Waltz
M.S. 2012
Alex Nolan
Email: nolana77@gmail.com
M.S. 2011
Kathleen Pollock
Cedarburg High School
Email: kpollock@cedarburg.k12.wi.us
M.S. 1995
Zoe M. Samer
M.S. 2013
Cara E. Schwarz
Nicholas A. Walters
M.S. 2016
Jim Zdrodowski
M.S. 1994
Undergraduates
Kris Andersen
1990
Scott Aulinskis
1995-96
Caroline Breitkreuz
2005
Mathew J. Biller
University of Wisconsin
biller@wisc.edu
2008-2009
Kevin Carlisle
1993
Ed Choi
Guilford Pharmaceuticals
Email: ctchoi@home.com
1991-92
Dr. Andrew P. Combs
Bristol Myers Squibb
Email: Andrew.Combs@bms.com
1988-89
Mitch A. Daane
University of Wisconsin – Madison Athletic Department
Email:
2008-2009
Brandon Dobraska
201?
Kyle A. Hecker
Eli Lilly and Company
1996-97
Phoenix M. Higgins
2018-2019
Grace E. Hyland
2017-2019
Jayson Kempinger
University of Nebraska
Email: jkemping@bigred.unl.edu
2005-2006
Aaron Kunzer
Abbott Laboratories
1995-96
John Lansdown
1991
Mike Larson
1989
Danny J. Lee
2017-2019
Ibrain Marcano
2002
Aatmik R. Patel
2019
Ryan Powers
1989
Craig C. Price
University of Wisconsin
Email: ccprice@wisc.edu
2009
Jeff Rauh
1988-90
Rodrigo A. Sanchez
2018
Paul Severin
1992-94
Jeffery M. Slosarczyk
2008-2009
Tom Spaulding
1990
Colleen C. Sylvester
2009-2010
Eric M. Todd
Department of Chemistry
University of Illinois
Email: erictodd@scs.uiuc.edu
1999-2002
Dr. Tammy C. Turek-Etienne
Invitrogen Drug Discovery Solutions
Madison, WI 53719
Email: tammy.turek-etienne@invitrogen.com
1993-94