Tang Polymer Group

Graduate Students

Hai Zhao

I am from Chongqing, P. R. China. I got my B.S. in the summer of 2023 in Molecular Science and Engineering from the South China University of Technology (SCUT) supervised by Associate Prof. Boxing Zhang. My research topic is “Composite Materials Based on Bacterial Cellulose and Eucommia ulmoides Gum”. In the fall of 2023, I joined Prof. Chuanbing Tang’s group. My research interests lie in the field of polymer catalysts.

Email : haiz@email.sc.edu

Adam Parris

I am from Columbia, South Carolina, and I received my B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular biology in 2023 here at USC. During my undergraduate studies I aided in synthesis and characterization of metallic organic frameworks under Dr. Natalia Shustova, and on nickel catalyzed arylation of gem-difluoroalkenes for novel NSAID synthesis under Dr. Ming Joo Koh at the National University of Singapore. I joined Dr. Tang’s group in Fall 2023 and am interested in antimicrobial polymer research. In my free time I often enjoy gardening and metalsmithing.

Email : adambp@email.sc.edu

Alimi Abiodun

I am from Nigeria. I received my B.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry in 2015 from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. During my undergraduate degree, I examined the phytochemicals in two different Combretaceae species. Afterward, I worked as a production manager at Vitafoam Nigeria Plc for four years. My research interests are sustainable polymers and their application. In the fall of 2022, I joined Dr. Tang's group to further my knowledge about polymers. I spend my free time on sports (soccer, tennis, and indoor games).

Email : aabiodun@email.sc.edu

Md Waliullah Hossain

I am from Dhaka, Bangladesh. I got my bachelor's degree from University of Dhaka in Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering in February 2021. In the fall of 2021, I joined Prof. Chuanbing Tang’s group. My research interest lies in the field of Polymer and their potential application in renewable energy and biomaterials. In my free time I like to cook and watch anime.

Email : mh130@email.sc.edu

Luis "LD" Ramos

I am from Greenville, South Carolina. I received my B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the Spring of 2021. I primarily worked under Jihyeon Hwang in functionalizing lignin and the development of antimicrobial polymers. I currently work with metallocene polymers. In my free time I like to do pilates and am an avid fan of the bachelorette.

Email : ldramos@email.sc.edu

Xiaomeng Li

I am from Laiwu, Shandong Province, P. R. China. I got my B.S. in 2018 in Polymer Science and Engineering from Qingdao University of Science and Technology (QUST) supervised by Prof. Runxiong Lin. My research topic is “Study on properties of photosensitive resin for 3D printing”. After that, I joined Dr. Junpeng Wang’s group in University of Akron (UAkron), and got my M.S. in Polymer Science in 2020. During my master project, I worked on mechanochemistry. In the fall of 2020, I joined Prof. Chuanbing Tang’s group. My research interests lie in the field of mechanochemistry.

Email :XIAOMENG@email.sc.edu

Shayah Bension

I received my bachelors degree in political science and chemistry from Case Western Reserve University where I researched conjugated organophosphorus materials for energy applications under Dr. John Protasiewicz. After I graduated in 2017 I worked in the petroleum industry in Houston at ExxonMobil on polypropylene production. In 2018, I took on a much more customer focused role at SASOL North America in Louisiana where I helped develop applications for our alcohol products. The following school year I moved to Columbia to pursue a PhD in organic chemistry at USC where I joined Dr. Tang's group in fall of 2019 to explore polymer synthesis from biofeedstocks. My main research areas of interest are polymer physics, homogeneous catalysis, and biomaterials science.

Email : ybension@email.sc.edu

Leman Kurnaz

I am from Izmir, Turkey. I got my bachelor from Ege University and received my master’s degree from Selcuk University in Physical Chemistry. During my master project, I worked on the block copolymer synthesize techniques. I worked for 3 years as a researcher in Advanced Technology Research and Development Center. I decided to improve my knowledge of polymers and joined Dr.Tang’s group in the fall of 2018. My research interests are self-assembly polymers and their potential applications. I like to spend my time with my family, cook and watch a movie.

Email : lkurnaz@email.sc.edu

Jihyeon Hwang

I am from South Korea. I received my B.S. in Chemistry in 2013 from Purdue University. During undergraduate, I designed the micro-particles for drug delivery applications under Dr. Kinam Park. Then I joined Dr. Anzar Khan’s group in Korea University, and got my M.S. in Chemical and Biological Engineering in 2018. During master years, I focused on the water-soluble polymer and the hydrogel synthesis, and their applications. In the fall of 2018, I joined Dr. Tang’s group. My research interests lie in the field of antimicrobial materials.

Email : jihyeon@email.sc.edu

Postdoctoral and Visiting Scholars

Dr. Nagarjuna A Mahadas (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research)
I am from Andhra Pradesh, India. I obtained my master’s in chemistry in 2014 from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram. I pursued my Ph.D. in chemistry in 2020 from Shiv Nadar University, Delhi, India. During my Ph.D., my research was centered on synthesizing and characterizing biobased polybenzoxazine networks using renewable building blocks and their application towards flame retardants and adhesives. Later, I joined as a ‘Scientific Employee’ at Fraunhofer IFAM, Bremen, Germany in 2021. Further, I joined as a Joint Manager at Atul Ltd., Valsad, Gujarat, India. In 2023, I moved as a postdoctoral fellow to the University of South Carolina in Prof. Tang’s polymer group. I am currently working on sustainable thermoplastics.

Email: nmahadas@mailbox.sc.edu

Dr. Swagatam Barman (Ph.D, JNCASR, India)
I am Swagatam from Kolkata, India. I obtained master’s in chemistry in 2015 from Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati and received PhD in chemical science in 2021 from new chemistry unit, JNCASR, Bangalore, India. My PhD dissertation involves the development of small molecular and polymeric antimicrobial to combat infections and inflammations. In 2022, I moved to University of South Carolina and joined Prof. Tang’s research group. I am currently working on the development of antimicrobial polypeptide polymers. I believe in people, nationalism, and liberal leftism. It’s my keen interest to interact with new people and new cultures. I like to cook, watch medical dramas, movies, travel and chatting with friends with a drink.

Email: sbarman@mailbox.sc.edu

Dr. Huina Lin (Ph.D. Rutgers University)
I am from Fujian, China. I got my B.S. in chemistry from Fuzhou University. Then I joined Prof. Frieder Jäekle’s group at Rutgers University in New Jersey and obtained my Ph.D. in chemistry. During my Ph.D., I worked on the design and synthesis of borane-functionalized polyolefins. After that, I joined Prof. Chuanbing Tang’s group as a postdoc. My research interests are the synthesis of metallopolymer, and its application in anion exchange membranes.

Email: huina@mailbox.sc.edu

Undergraduate/High School Students

Jackie DePodesta

I am from Charlotte, North Carolina. I’m currently obtaining my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at UofSC and I’m graduating in spring of 2025. I joined Dr. Tang’s research group in spring 2023 and I’m working with research focusing on creating biodegradable forms of plastic using organic polymer synthesis. I intend to continue doing research throughout my undergraduate career and eventually hope to work in the medical industry. In my free time I love to read and watch Greys Anatomy.

Email : depodesj@email.sc.edu

Tristian Merringer

I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UofSC and plan to graduate in 2025. I joined Dr. Tang’s research group in spring 2022 and am currently working on the polyamide brush polymer project. I plan to further pursue research and continue towards a career in either the field of medicine or chemistry. When I have the time, I enjoy traveling, playing guitar, and reading.

Email : menningt@email.sc.edu