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).
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.
Karoll Cancino Graduate 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 Graduate Research Associate	Matt is pursuing his PhD 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.
Alondra Cabrera Research Associate	Alondra is a rising junior majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Mathematics at UIC. She is a L@S GANAS research fellow which is a Latino organization that helps students in STEM. She is passionate about advancing green chemistry and sustainability, with a particular interest in transforming waste into valuable resources that can create positive environmental impact. This passion aligns closely with the MoDSE lab mission of developing innovative, sustainable solutions. She intends to pursue a master’s in chemical engineering to continue to build strategies that bridge science and engineering for a more sustainable future.
Jonathan Liu Research Associate	Jonathan Liu is pursuing a BS in Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago with a concentration in energy and sustainability. He has a strong academic background in chemistry, including coursework in analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and environmental chemistry, along with prior laboratory experience through academic work. Jonathan is especially interested in how interdisciplinary research combines chemistry and engineering to develop sustainable technologies and processes that address environmental challenges. He is passionate about renewable energy and sustainable systems, and is eager to gain hands-on research experience while strengthening his experimental, analytical, and problem-solving skills in a collaborative lab environment.
Vaithy Gopiram Research Associate	Vaithy is pursuing a BS in Neuroscience at the University of Illinois Chicago. He is passionate about the Achinivu lab’s focus on advancing sustainable materials through green chemistry solutions. He is driven by the potential to transform waste streams into high-value products that can reduce our environmental footprint and support the transition towards a closed-loop bioeconomy.
Haider Bakhtiari Research Associate	Haider is pursuing a BS in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago. He has ongoing research in biomedical imaging involving MRI systems. He is interested in how MoDSE lab is trying to find renewable energy and sustainability from waste products that can turn into viable materials. His goal is to use the knowledge that he will gain at MoDSE Lab to help with the fabrication of sustainable medical devices in the future.
Omar Khudeira Research Associate	Omar Khudeira is a Chemical Engineering student at the University of Illinois Chicago and an undergraduate research associate at the MODSE lab. His academic focus is centered on sustainable energy and the advancement of green biorefineries, with research interests involving the conversion of biomass into high-value precursors. He is dedicated to applying technical engineering principles to improve chemical processing and optimize system efficiencies. Through his research and technical coursework, he aims to develop sustainable materials and innovative solutions that address modern environmental and production challenges.
Lohith Raj Vuppala Research Associate	Lohith Raj is pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Evolution and Ecology at the University of Illinois Chicago. He is drawn to the MoDSE Lab's innovative research on meaningful, eco-friendly methods for waste-product disposal. His goal is to better understand how these sustainable waste management strategies can be developed and applied to create a more environmentally conscious future.

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	Michel Canul Chan Visiting Professor
Nand Patel Research Associate	Aigerim Dzhumanazarova Research Associate	Isabelle Gattone Research Associate	Naya Majauskas Research Associate	Cielo Paz Research Associate
Eduardo Lozano Research Associate	Logan Hayes Research Associate	Saima Ashrafi Research Associate	An The Phan Research Associate	Madina Sissenbay Graduate Research Associate
Patrick Flores Research Associate	Sriram Dinesh Research Associate