People | Achinivu Lab | University of Illinois Chicago

Current Team

Dr. Achinivu Principal Investigator	Ezinne Achinivu is an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago and the Principal Investigator of the Molecular Design for Sustainable Engineering Laboratory (MoDSE Lab). MoDSE lab applies fundamental research in green chemistry, molecular engineering, and biotechnology towards the development of sustainable bioproducts. We are focused on developing sustainable processes for the transformation of waste resources into bioproducts. Achinivu’s major goal is to tackle the enormous challenge that persists in advancing green engineering and green materials, especially with regard to developing a sustainable energy infrastructure and enabling a carbon-efficient community. MoDSE lab specializes in designing ionic liquids for niche applications (like biorefining). In particular, we are helping define the application of protic ionic liquids (PILs) for their use in applications involving biopolymers, bioengineering and biomanufacturing. PILs are also generally a sustainable alternative to conventional ionic liquids (based on cost, biocompatibility, and recyclability). We apply a combination of experimental/analytical and computational approaches to design new PILs for targeted applications. MoDSE Lab is also concerned with ensuring optimal and realistic systems level design that could lead to commercializability; this involves reactor design, process development / optimization and evaluating sustainability assessment (technoeconomic and lifecycle analyses).
Michel Canul Chan Visiting Professor	Michel Canul is a Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Veracruz in Mexico. His research focuses on biogas production (biohydrogen and methane), water pollution caused by petroleum hydrocarbons, and the removal of pollutants from water and solid matrices using bacteria and fungi. He also conducts dynamic studies to understand changes in microbial population structures through molecular tools. Dr. Canul has led research projects involving the use of oil-based substrates for the production of biosurfactants. His primary goal is to remediate contaminated water and soil through microbial bioprocesses. Additionally, he works on the production and extraction of biomolecules of industrial interest from organic waste, applying molecular tools to better understand microbial behavior during bioprocesses.
Taiwo Zacchaeus Adesanya Graduate Research Associate	Zac is passionate about developing bioproducts and bioprocesses that meet performance requirements, are commercially viable, and are environmentally friendly. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Lagos in Nigeria and has extensive engineering design experience in the oil and gas industry. He is engaged in an extensive inquiry into the creation of sustainable bioproducts and bioprocesses from biomass. He strives to transform laboratory facts into factories through procedures including product and process development, characterization, separation, molecular and process simulations, process integration, and control, techno-economic, social, and environmental impact assessments, etc.
Alex Acquah Graduate Research Assistant	My passion for solutions to waste conversion into products fuelled my interest to pursue a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. I am currently a Chemical Engineering graduate student at the University of Illinois Chicago. MoDSE lab equips my research interest in sustainable energy development and transformation of biomass into bioproducts. I aim to have breakthrough research work in sustainable energy solutions.
Madina Sissenbay Research Associate	Holding a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Nazarbayev University, I engaged in research on nanomaterials, air quality, and petroleum engineering. A highlight was presenting my work on "Mesoporous Silica Particles for Quick Methylene Blue Dye Removal from Water" at the 2022 Applied Physics & Materials Science Congress in Turkey. These experiences steered me towards the MoDSE lab, aligning with my professional interests. Now, I am focused on contributing to green chemistry, aiming to impact both the scientific community and the energy industry significantly.
Karoll Cancino Research Associate	I pursued my BS in Chemical Engineering in Colombia. During my years as an associate research student in the research group CICTA (science and food technology), I started feeling the attraction of sustainable chemistry related to the food waste problem and its huge impact on biodiversity. Working on finding a new alternative to use fruit waste as a new source of fuel production, bioethanol. Participating in different seminars, showing the big impact of the project on a rural community. Now as a master’s student at UIC I am happy to be part of the MoDSE lab and contribute to the research team with my work and interests. My passion in the field is to look up for new material substitutes for the overproduction and pollution waste problems that can’t be eradicated but it's possible to modify and reduce the impact of the industrial processes on the ecosystem.
Matthew Gaughan Research Associate	Matt is pursuing a BS in Chemical Engineering. He is passionate about the development of sustainable materials as an essential part of the project to transition current modes of production into modes which can cohabit with our planet. He has previously worked on sustainable textiles research, and is returning to school with the hopes of pursuing further research opportunities in the development of bioplastics.
Nand Patel Research Associate	Nand is an undergraduate student pursuing a BS in Chemical Engineering at UIC. MoDSE Labs commitment to green energy by taking waste material and turning it into green bioproducts is very fascinating to me. He is eager to learn new ways to make our planet a bit cleaner. He enjoys working in person and interacting with other people. He is working on plasticizer screening for Cellulose Bioplastics in order to find the best plasticizer candidate using Density Function Theory. He aims to develop a cleaner solution to this waste material problem.
An The Phan Research Associate	An is pursuing a BS in Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago. He is passionate about the development of ecologically friendly material design solutions, with a focus on bio-based polymers, ionic liquids for biomass processing, and corrosion-resistant coatings. He is experienced with sustainable resources like perovskite-based catalysts. These experiences have given him the technical expertise and investigative spirit needed to make a significant contribution to MoDSE Lab's objective of developing sustainable material innovations.
Aigerim Dzhumanazarova Research Associate	Aigerim is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Originally from Kyrgyzstan, she grew up in Indonesia before moving to the United States for her studies. Her previous research has focused on emulsion polymerization and developing alternatives to petroleum-based products. Passionate about sustainability, Aigerim aims to further her interests in environmentally friendly technologies through her work in the MoDSE lab and contribute to the team's goals and aspirations.
Justin William Yoo Research Associate	Justin is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. At the MoDSE Lab, I am going to assist with research focused on catalyst development for sustainable chemical processes. My academic interests lie in materials development and electrochemistry, and I’m excited to gain hands-on experience working at the intersection of green chemistry and molecular engineering. Through my work in the lab, I hope to contribute to innovative approaches that advance sustainable energy and materials solutions.
Isabelle Gattone Research Associate	Izzie is a rising junior at Washington University in St. Louis, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. She joined the MoDSE Lab because she’s interested in the intersection of environmental and human health, with a particular interest in how biodegradable materials can contribute to more sustainable and health-conscious lifestyles. Her passion for health and wellness is rooted in her background as a competitive swimmer, where she developed a strong foundation in balancing academic and athletic commitments in a healthy, intentional way.
Naya Majauskas Research Associate	Naya is an undergraduate student at UIC pursuing a BS in Chemical Engineering. With a strong interdisciplinary background in biology and environmental sciences, she is passionate about developing greener chemical processes with real-world applications. At the MoDSE Lab, her research focuses on optimizing catalysts that will be used for the conversion of biomass into valuable bioproducts. Her experience working as a Hazardous Materials Technician at UIC’s EHSO not only contributes to her understanding of safe and sustainable lab practices, it also motivates the goals she shares with MoDSE Lab to have a positive health and ecological impact. Naya hopes her work will contribute to the advancement of sustainable technologies at a commercial scale.
Cielo Paz Research Associate	Cielo is pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Iowa. She found her passions aligning with MoDSE Lab and is eager to be part of a team that is aiming for a cleaner tomorrow. She is interested in extracting and characterizing valuable components from biomass, as well as understanding the molecular-level interactions that drive these processes. Through her involvement in the lab, Cielo hopes to help advance sustainable technologies that convert waste into effective, green alternatives to conventional materials.

Previous Members

Donatella Poveda Research Associate	Marko Bogosavljevic Research Associate	Huyen Nguyen Research Associate	Love Patel Research Associate	Mustafa Soniwala Research Associate
Sylvia Jarecki Research Associate	Zain Alsalhani Research Associate	Salma Khalifa Research Associate	Najmin Isa Research Associate	Rawan E. Hussein Research Associate
Keira Leech Research Associate	Keith Michael Christopher Research Associate	Lauren Livingston Research Associate	Ogechikanma Ihenacho Research Associate	Jacob Nowobilski Research Associate
Cooper Ross Research Associate	Omar Aly Graduate Research Associate	Jessica Fajardo Research Associate	Ameena Beg Research Associate	Ben Dobbins Research Associate
Aman Dudeja Research Associate	Matthew McCawley Research Associate	Kacper Switalski Graduate Research Assistant	Abdullah Amer Graduate Research Assistant	Hussein Rezk Research Associate
MariElena Rivera Research Associate	William In Research Associate	Barakat E. Kadir Research Associate	Oluwaseyi Saliu Post-Doctoral Researcher