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Samson Adelani (email) is a third year Ph.D. student in the Materials Science and Engineering Program. He did his undergraduate study in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria, where he studied the effect of pre-weld heat treatment on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of artificially aged 8011A aluminum alloy. Moreso, he previously worked with the Advanced Polymer Composite Lab at FUTA where his research focused on the use of agro-waste in the development of polymer composites for novel applications. His current research focuses on the 3D printing of Engineered Living Materials (ELMS). In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, bicycling, and playing saxophone. He also loves watching soccer games particularly (premier league) on weekends.

Ava Crowley (email) is a third year PhD student in Chemical Engineering. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University where she studied electromagnetic heating and extrusion-based 3D printing of synthetic polymer nanocomposites. Her current research focuses on mechanical characterization of synthetic ultrathin polymer films. 

Alyssa Libonati (email) is a second year graduate student in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department. She received her B.S. in Biochemistry and B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from SUNY Binghamton. Her prior research experience includes work in photocatalysis and the toxicology of tattoo inks. Current research interests include engineered living materials (ELMs) and sustainable polymers, with a focus on determining the mechanical properties of these microbial-based materials. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys lifting weights, cooking, hiking, cycling, and learning about regenerative agriculture.

Olivia Pear (email) is a second year Ph.D. student in the Materials Science and Engineering Program. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UC Berkeley in 2017. Prior to becoming a graduate student, Olivia worked in industry designing and synthesizing biopolymer hydrogels to improve the material properties of sustainable food products. Outside of work, she enjoys running, cooking, and being a beginner in many sports (climbing, skiing, pickleball, to name a few).

Kiera Croland (email) is a third year Ph.D. student in the Chemical Engineering Department and an NSF GRFP fellow. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University in 2022. Kiera’s undergraduate research focused on the characterization of cell-material interactions between polymer-peptide hydrogels and human mesenchymal stem cells using Multiple Particle Tracking microrheology. Outside of her graduate studies, she enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with her cat, Archy.