Alon Gorodetsky
University of California, Irvine
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Short Bio
Dr. Alon Gorodetsky is an Associate Professor with a primary appointment in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Gorodetsky obtained dual B.S. degrees in Engineering Physics and Materials Science at Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. He then completed postdoctoral work as an NSF American Competitiveness in Chemistry Fellow at Columbia University. Dr. Gorodetsky’s work has received international recognition and has been highlighted in media outlets such as Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, The Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Smithsonian Magazine, Wired, The Verge, Newsweek, Forbes, NPR, BBC, and CNN. Dr. Gorodetsky has also received numerous accolades, including the AFOSR Young Investigator Award, the DARPA Young Faculty Award with the Director’s Option, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, and the DARPA Embedded Entrepreneurship Initiative Award.
Researchers

Researcher
Research Scientist
aburkeatuci@gmail.com LinkedIn
Anthony Burke is a postdoctoral specialist, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2019.
He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine (Irvine, CA, USA) in 2011. He also received a B. S. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA, USA) in 2004 and a B. S. in Plant Biology from the University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA, USA) in 2004. During his first stint in the Gorodetsky Group, he worked on the synthesis and characterization of sequence-defined organic semiconductor nanowires. Tony is broadly interested in organic semiconductor materials and analytical biochemistry.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Tony’s current research is focused on the synthesis of materials for octopus-inspired camouflage and signaling systems.

Researcher
Ivan Tomov is a project scientist, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2022.
He received his Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics from Moscow University (Moscow, Russia) in 1970. He also received a B.S. in Physics from Sofia University (Sofia, Bulgaria) in 1966. Prior to joining the Gorodetsky Group, he worked on femtosecond laser systems, nonlinear methods for generation of harmonics of ultrashort laser pulses, the study of long period optical gratings, and the interaction of acoustic and optical waves in fibers.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Ivan’s current research is focused on holotomography.
Postdoctoral Researchers

Postdoctoral Fellow
aleezaf@uci.edu CV
Aleeza Farrukh is a postdoctoral fellow, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2019.
She received her Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Mainz, Germany) in 2017. She also received her M.Phil. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Punjab (Lahore, Pakistan) in 2011 and B.S.C. in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry from the University of Punjab (Lahore, Pakistan) in 2007. Prior to joining the Gorodetsky Group, she worked on light-guided control over axon growth in photoresponsive biomaterial platforms. Aleeza is interested in dynamic biomaterials and functional interfaces for tuning cellular behavior.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Aleeza’s current research is focused on cephalopod-inspired bioelectronic control of cellular signaling.

Postdoctoral Fellow
sanghol9@uci.edu LinkedIn CV
Sanghoon Lee is a postdoctoral fellow, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2021.
He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Design and Production Engineering from Konkuk University (Seoul, Republic of Korea ) in 2020. He also received an M.S in Mechanical Design and Production Engineering from Konkuk University (Seoul, Republic of Korea) and a B.S in Mechanical System Design and Engineering from Konkuk University (Kyunggi, Republic of Korea). Prior to joining the Gorodetsky Group, he worked on the fabrication and characterization of roll-to-roll-printed organic thin film transistors and 3D structural sensors and actuators. Sanghoon is interested in roll-to-roll fabrication of flexible devices.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Sanghoon’s current research is focused on the manufacturing of squid skin-inspired thermoregulatory composite materials.
Graduate Students

Graduate Student
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Georgii Bogdanov is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2019.
He received his M.S. in Chemistry from New Mexico Highlands University (Las Vegas, NM, USA) in 2019, M.S. in Laser Engineering from ITMO University (Saint-Petersburg, Russia) in 2018, and B.S. in Optical Engineering from ITMO University (Saint-Petersburg, Russia) in 2016. Prior to joining the Gorodetsky Group, he worked on X-Ray analysis of crystal structures, modification of polymer surfaces via reactive ion etching, and development of optical control systems. Georgii is interested in the biophotonics applications of protein-based materials.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Georgii’s current research is focused on the squid leucophore-inspired engineering of the optical properties of mammalian cells.

Graduate Student
yinuanl1@uci.edu LinkedIn CV
Yinuan is a PhD student in the Chemical, Applied, and Material Physics Program, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2019.
She received her B.A. in Chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO, USA) in 2019. Prior to joining the Gorodetsky Group, Yinuan worked on solid-state NMR characterization of alumina thin films. Yinuan is interested in manufacturing of adaptive materials for camouflage applications.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Yinuan’s current research is focused on squid skin-inspired color-changing composite materials.

Graduate Student
nkaimal@uci.edi LinkedIn CV
Nikhil Kaimal is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2019.
He received his B.S. in Biochemical Engineering from the University of California, Davis (Davis, CA, USA) in 2019. Prior to joining the Gorodetsky Group, he worked on the genetic engineering of plant circadian rhythms and monitoring of stem cell differentiation. Nikhil is broadly interested in genetic engineering and tissue engineering.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Nikhil’s current research is focused on focused on the squid leucophore- and iridophore-inspired engineering of the optical properties of mammalian cells.

Graduate Student
panyimil@uci.edu CV
Panyiming is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2019.
He received his B.S. in Materials Physics from the Special Class for the Gifted Young of the University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui, China) in 2019. Prior to joining the Gorodetsky Group, he worked on the synthesis, modification, and energy applications of noble metal nanocrystals. Panyiming is interested in adaptive materials for renewable energy applications.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Panyiming’s current research is focused on the fabrication of octopus-inspired camouflage and signaling systems.

Graduate Student
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Arsenii Panteleev is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2020.
He received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN, USA) in 2020. Prior to joining the Gorodetsky Group, he worked on simulating the effect of the ionic dipole moment in the Hofmeister series with biased free energy sampling methods. Arsenii is interested in the computationally-guided design of biomimetic protein-based materials.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Arsenii’s current research is focused on understanding sequence-function relationships for reflectins.

Graduate Student
astrzele@uci.edu LinkedIn CV
Aleksandra Strzelecka is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2020.
She received her joint B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Technology from the Silesia University of Technology (Gliwice, Poland) in 2018. Prior to joining the Gorodetsky Group, she worked on the development of new initiators for ATRP polymerization and on the optimization of colorimetric methods in the paint industry. Aleksandra is broadly interested in polymeric materials and bioinspired optics.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Aleksandra’s current research is focused on squid skin-inspired color-changing composite materials.

Graduate Student
dmberlin@uci.edu LinkedIn CV
David Berlin is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2021.
He received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Irvine (Irvine, CA, USA ) in 2019. Prior to joining the Gorodetsky Group, he worked on understanding relationship surface topography and dispersal relationships for bacterial biofilms. David is broadly interested in bioinspired materials and their applications in bioelectronics.
In the Gorodetsky Group, David’s current research is focused on is focused on cephalopod-inspired bioelectronic control of cellular signaling.

Graduate Student
LinkedIn CV
Austin Wardrip is a Ph.D. student in the Interdisciplinary Materials and Manufacturing Technology program, who rejoined the Gorodetsky Group in September 2021.
He received his A.A.O.T. in General Studies from Portland Community College (Portland, OR, USA) in 2011. He next received his B.S. in Chemistry from Stanford University (Stanford, CA, USA) in 2014. He then received his M.S. in Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine (Irvine, CA, USA) in 2017. Previously in the Gorodetsky Group, he worked on the electronic characterization of perylene-based oligonucleotide-inspired molecular wires. Austin is interested in materials engineering, physical chemistry, and electrochemistry.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Austin’s current research is focused on the spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of quinoline-based polymers.

Graduate Student
erpeng@uci.edu CV
Ethan Peng is a M.S. student in the Department of Material Science and Engineering, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2021.
He received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine (Irvine, CA, USA) in 2021. Prior to joining the Gorodetsky Group, Ethan worked on the expression of reflectin in bacteria and on the synthesis of heteroacenes. Ethan is broadly interested in the synthesis of organic semiconductors for device applications.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Ethan’s current research is focused on the synthesis of materials for octopus-inspired camouflage and signaling systems.
Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate Student
jccai1@uci.edu
Jennifer Cai is an undergraduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences at UC Irvine, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2023.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Jennifer’s current research is focused on cephalopod-inspired bioelectronic control of cellular signaling.

Undergraduate Student
locvn2@uci.edu
Loc Nguyen is an undergraduate student in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UC Irvine, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2023.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Loc’s current research is focused on production and purification of reflectin isoforms.

Undergraduate Student
nethra.shah@emory.edu
Nethra Shah is an undergraduate student in the Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology at Emory University, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2022.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Nethra’s current research is focused on understanding sequence-function relationships for reflectins.

Undergraduate Student
atomov@ucsd.edu LinkedIn CV
Anna Tomov is an undergraduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UC San Diego, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2022.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Anna’s current research is focused on transmission electron microscopy.

Undergraduate Student
chiz38@uci.edu
Ashlynn Zhang is an undergraduate student in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UC Irvine, who joined the Gorodetsky Group in 2023.
In the Gorodetsky Group, Ashlynn’s current research is focused on production and purification of reflectin isoforms.
Administrative Coordinator

Researcher Engineers and Specialists
Name | |
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Kelsey Miller | |
Kasha Muzila | |
Mahan Naeim | |
Tam Nguyen | |
Elena (Helen) Orins | |
Eriberto Vargas |
Postdoctoral Researchers
Name | |
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Mohsin Ali Badshah | |
Laura E. Bagge | |
Chandra Bikram KC | |
David Joshua Dibble | |
Zhijing Feng | |
Maurizio Follador | |
Nina Hüsken | |
Xiaoteng Jia | |
Steven R. Jim | |
Juhwan Kim | |
Nam Nguyen | |
Young Park | |
Maxime Rammal | |
George Stiubianu | |
Ward G. Walkup IV |
Graduate Students
Name | |
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Andrew Bartlett | |
Nathaniel Burmas | |
Juana A. Cerna | |
Atrouli Chatterjee | |
Mary Nora Dickson | |
Yegor Van Dyke | |
Sidney Luke Eichelberger | |
Melvin Colorado Escobar | |
Didac Gomez i Castellvi | |
Jonah-Micah Jocson | |
Emil Karshalev | |
Rylan Kautz | |
Reina Kurakake | |
Erica M. Leung | |
Robert Lopez | |
Yujia Lu | |
Amir Mazaheripour | |
Omkar Mohaptra | |
Kyle Liam Naughton | |
Nataliya Naumova | |
Brenna Norton-Baker | |
David Ordinario | |
Kritideepan Parida | |
Priyam Patel | |
Long Phan | |
Preeta Pratakshya | |
Huiting Qin | |
Milan Shlain | |
Nadia E. Tolouei | |
Vivek Tyagi | |
Mehran Umerani | |
Alexandra Vyatskikh | |
Chengyi Xu |
Undergraduate Students
Name | |
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Alex Allevato | |
Mercedeez Jasmin Aquino | |
Trinity Bento | |
Justin Couvrette | |
(MyAnh) Kaylee Dao | |
Henry Dinh | |
Samantha Drake | |
Marcus Firstman | |
Justin Kerr | |
Myriam Khalil | |
Laliphat (Mai) Kositchaimongkol | |
Dylan Laidlaw | |
LeAnn Le | |
Jessica Leal-Cruz | |
Jose Armando Linares | |
James Long | |
Alejandro Lopez | |
Michelle Lu | |
Jason Merz | |
Nikka Mofid | |
Christopher Moore | |
Michael Nguyen | |
Uyen Nguyen | |
Myron Hon Phan | |
Marlon Pinedo | |
Micah Raney | |
Andrew Reuter | |
Preston Rogers | |
Nicholas Sarif | |
Alexander Schmidt | |
Michael A. Shenk | |
Amanda Smith | |
Eric Tavarez | |
Eric Tseng | |
Jonathan Varela | |
Eddie Vargas | |
Sean Winchester | |
Katarina Van Wonterghem | |
Joseph Yazvin |
Visiting Scholars
Name | |
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Tadao Takada | |
Georgious Vougioukalakis |