Latest news:

May 2013:
Julie accepts faculty position at Tulane University

March 2013:
Elizabeth selected to participate in 63rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

November 2012:
Dr. Epps highlighted in MIT news

October 2012:
Wei-Fan receives ACS travel award

October 2012:
Dr. Epps highlighted in MIT Chemistry newsletter

July 2012:
Sarah receives poster award at Warwick 2012 Polymers conference

May 2012:
Robby named outstanding man of his graduating class


Principal Investigator

Thomas H. Epps, III


Post-Doctoral Members


Matthew Green
Sung Hyun Han


Ph.D. Students

Jillian Emerson
Elizabeth Kelley
Angela Holmberg
Wei-Fan Kuan
Ming Luo

Sarah Mastroianni
Michael Mayeda
Ryan Murphy
Kaleigh Reno
Cameron Shelton

Undergraduate Students

Kevin Hutter
Ron Lewis
Eddie Sangern
Ellen Reed

Past Members

Student Awards

Elizabeth Kelley - ACS POLY travel award

Julie Albert - NSF Graduate Fellowship (2008-2011)

Owen Young - 2nd year Chemical Engineering Best Graduate Student Award (2009)

Maëva Tureau - Air Products Graduate Fellowship (2009-2010)

Jennifer Kelly - NRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at NIST (2010)

Chisom Amaechi - NSF Graduate Fellowship Honorable Mention (2010)

Elizabeth Kelley - NSF Graduate Fellowship Honorable Mention (2010)

Timothy Bogart - Graduate Fellowship Honorable Mention (2010)

Julie Albert - Akzo Nobel Graduate Student Award Finalist (ACS Fall Meeting 2010)

Thomas Smart - NIST Scattering School Participant (2010)

Elizabeth Kelley - National Scattering School Participant (2010)

Elizabeth Kelley - NDSEG Graduate Fellowship (2010-2013)


Epps Research Group

Thomas H. Epps, III
Bachelors - 1998 MIT,
Masters - 1999 MIT (Practice School),
Doctorate - 2004 University of Minnesota,
Post-Doctorate - 2006 NRC Postdoctoral Fellow - NIST,

Associate Professor,
Center for Neutron Science (CNS) - Member,
Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) - Member,
Center for Molecular & Engineering Thermodynamics (CMET) - Member,
NSF REU Site Program - Co-Director

Email: Thomas Epps

Post-Doctoral Members


Matthew Green 
Bachelors - 2007 Virginia Tech
Doctorate - 2011 Virginia Tech 
Current Postdoctoral Researcher. 

Matt joined the Epps and Sullivan research groups in January of 2012. He received his BS in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech, and his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering under the supervision of Prof. Timothy Long at Virginia Tech. His Ph.D. focused on tailoring the structure and function of imidazole-containing block copolymers for emerging applications ranging from gene delivery to electromechanical devices. He is currently investigating amphiphilic block copolymers for targeted drug delivery. In his spare time, Matt enjoys running, biking, and frisbee.  
Email: Matthew Green
Sung Hyun Han 
Bachelors - 2005 Kyungpook National University
Doctorate - 2012 POSTECH Pohang University of Science and Technology 
Current Postdoctoral Researcher. 

Sung Hyun joined the Epps Group in June 2012. He obtained his BS in Polymer Science & Engineering from KNU, and his PhD in Chemical Engineering from POSTECH under the supervision of Prof. Jin Kon Kim. His dissertation was entitled "The Phase Behavior and Morphology of Binary blend of Block Copolymers having Hydrogen Bonding". And now his research area is about block copolymer electrolytes for lithium batteries". In his free time, he enjoys watching movies, going cycling, and calling people. 
Email: Sung Hyun Han

Ph.D. Graduate Students


Jillian Emerson
Bachelors - 2010 Johns Hopkins University,
Current Graduate Student.

Jillian joined the Epps group in November of 2010. Jillian devoted her undergraduate curriculum to alternative energy, graduating with a minor in environmental engineering. Her current research interests include nanoscale control of conducting polymers with applications in photovoltaic technology. When she's not working (or spending time with her family and friends), Jillian loves to read, sing (although rarely in public), or perform experiments in the kitchen (usually food-based).

Email: Jillian Emerson

Angela Holmberg
Bachelors - 2010 University of Minnesota, Twin Cities,
Current Graduate Student.

Inspired by her undergraduate research experiences in polymers and soft materials, Angela joined the Epps Group in the fall of 2010. Her main research goal is to improve the sustainability of omniphobic surfaces, specifically polymeric coatings that repel both water and oil. In collaboration with the Wool Group, she is also working to polymerize biobased monomers. When not working on research, she likes to reminisce about Montana and Minnesota, sail, swing dance, bake, and play card games (especially cribbage) with friends.

Email: Angela Holmberg

Elizabeth Kelley
Bachelors - 2008 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
Current Graduate Student (co-advised by Dr. Millicent O. Sullivan).
Elizabeth started graduate school at the University of Delaware in the Fall of 2008 and joined the Epps group in November of that year. Her research interests are in the use of novel biomaterials for targeted drug delivery and she is currently researching bioresponsive polymeric vesicles. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys reading, the outdoors (especially skiing), and baking for friends!
Email: Elizabeth Kelley

Wei-Fan Kuan
Bachelors - 2008 National Taiwan University,
Current Graduate Student.>
Wei-Fan comes from Taiwan. He started his graduate study at University of Delaware in the fall of 2009, and joined the Epps group on November of that year. His research is focusing on nanoporous network templates and their applications in alternative energy. Out of lab, he enjoys playing basketball and chatting with friends.
Email: Wei-Fan Kuan

Ming Luo
Bachelors - 2008 Zhejiang University,
Current Graduate Student.
Ming is from China, and he joined the Epps Group in November, 2010. His interest area is self-assembly thin films, particularly with triblock polymer. He would like to go to industry after graduation. In his spare time, he likes to do sports and hang out with friends.
Email: Ming Luo

Sarah Mastroianni 
Bachelors - 2008 Lehigh University, 
Current Graduate Student.
 
Sarah is a fifth year chemical engineering graduate student who joined the Epps group in November 2008. She completed her Bachelors in chemical engineering along with minors in environmental engineering and music. Her research interests are in sustainable energy and she is very excited to be part of the solar hydrogen IGERT. She will be researching nanostructured photovoltaic materials using conjugated block copolymer assemblies. In her free time Sarah loves to dance, sing, cook (and eat), and spend time with friends. 
Email: Sarah Mastroianni

Michael Mayeda
Bachelors - 2008 Harvey Mudd College,
Current Graduate Student (co-advised by Dr. Jochen A. Lauterbach).

Michael was born and raised in Hawaii and moved to California to receive a general engineering degree from Harvey Mudd College in May 2008. He is an IGERT student interested in exploring methods for alternative/renewable energy generation and harvesting. His research is coadvised with Dr. Jochen Lauterbach and Dr. Thomas Epps in exploring nanoporous network polymers functionalized with catalytic particles to convert ammonia to hydrogen and nitrogen gas for a potential hydrogen economy. After finishing his degree, he hopes to become a professional bodyboarder, soccer player, pineapple picker, or chemical engineer, whichever comes first.
Email: Michael Mayeda

Ryan Murphy
Bachelors - 2011 University of Kansas,
Current Graduate Student (co-advised by Dr. Millicent O. Sullivan).

Ryan began graduate school at the University of Delaware in Fall 2011 after having a great experience at UD over the summer as an REU student. Joining the Epps group in November of 2011, his research interests involve biomaterials for targeted drug delivery. Outside of research, Ryan enjoys playing guitar, piano, frisbee, basketball, and spending time with friends.
Email: Ryan Murphy

Kaleigh Reno
Bachelors - 2012 University of South Carolina,
Current Graduate Student (co-advised by Dr. Richard Wool).

In Fall 2012, Kaleigh decided to venture north to the University of Delaware for graduate school after completing two summers of an REU at UD. By combining the expertise of two groups, Kaleigh is working to replace commodity materials with new renewable polymers. When Kaleigh is not trying to change the world, she enjoys getting in the kitchen and cooking, volunteering, traveling, and being on the beach.
Email: Kaleigh Reno

Cameron Shelton
Bachelors - 2012 University of Virginia,
Current Graduate Student

Cameron started graduate school at the University of Delaware in the fall of 2012, and joined the Epps group in November of that year. His research area of interest is soft materials, and he is currently focusing on control of triblock copolymer thin film morphology. When not working, he enjoys watching and playing sports, hanging out with friends, and playing games.
Email: Cameron Shelton

Undergraduate Students


Kevin Hutter
Undergraduate Student, University of Delaware (Class of 2014)
Kevin is chemical engineering major at the University of Delaware. He joined the Epps group in June of 2012. His current work involves modifying silicon surfaces with chlorosilanes and studying surface energy changes on these surfaces. Kevin is considering going to grad school after graduation from Delaware but also has an interest in industry. In his free time, Kevin enjoys playing sports along with playing saxophone.
Email: Kevin Hutter

Ron Lewis
Undergraduate Student, University of Delaware (Class of 2013)
Ron is a chemical engineering major at the University of Delaware. Ron is working on the effect of deswell rate on solvent-annealed block copolymer morphology. Ron is contemplating a master's in materials science after he obtains his bachelors degree with minors in anthropology and materials science. In his free time, Ron likes to play and compose music on his keyboard, listen to music, and play games.
Email: Ron Lewis

Eddie Sangern
Undergraduate Student, University of Delaware (Class of 2014)
Eddie is a chemical engineering major with minors in nanoscale materials and economics. He joined the Epps group in January of 2012. His current work involves solvent annealing of polymer thin films as they are being cast. Eddie is considering going to graduate school after he receives his bachelor's degree. In his free time, Eddie enjoys playing sports, games, and is also an avid percussionist.
Email: Eddie Sangern

Ellen Reed
Undergraduate Student, University of Delaware (Class of 2014)
Ellen is a chemical engineering major at the University of Delaware. She joined the Epps group in the summer of 2012. Ellen is studying salt-doping effects on block-copolymer morphology. She plans on going to graduate school after completing her bachelor's degree. In her free time, Ellen enjoys swing dancing and biking.
Email: Ellen Reed

Past Members



Jung Hyun Lee - post-doctoral researcher Korea Institute of Science and Technology
Jon Seppala - post-doctoral researcher National Institute of Standards and Technology
Matt Hoffman
Robby Pagels - BS (UD 2012)
Joey Kim - BS (UD 2012), Cal-Tech Ph.D. student
Sarah Hann - BS (UD 2012), U-Penn ChemEng Ph.D. student
Bin Wei - Research student
Owen Young, Ph.D. - currently employed by Dow Chemical
Eddie Qian - undergraduate researcher
Raghunath Roy - post-doctoral researcher Dow Chemical
Jennifer Kelly - currently employed by the FDA
Thomas Smart - post-doctoral researcher
Vijay Taori - post-doctoral researcher
Maëva Tureau, Ph.D. - currently employed by Air Products
Julie Albert, Ph.D. - current post-doc with Dr. Genzer (NC State University)
Chisom Amaechi - Research student
Jong Keun Park - Post-doctoral researcher, currently employed by Dow
Ben Schantz - University of Delaware (c/o 2012)
Ryan P. Murphy - REU student, University of Kansas (c/o 2011)
Mike Baney - BS (UD 2010), employed with Hexcel
Tim Bogart - BS (UD 2010), UT-Austin ChemEng Ph.D. student
Christina Marino - currently employed by Johnson & Johnson
Jason Papandrea - University of Delaware (c/o 2011)
Tom Ronan - REU student, Notre Dame University (c/o 2010)
Jasmine Smith - REU student, Delaware State University (c/o 2011)
Nripen Singh - Post-doctoral researcher, currently employed by Lynntech, Inc.
Paul Brigandi - BS (UD 2008), currently employed by Dow
Tom Scherr - BS (UD 2008), LSU ChemEng Ph.D. student
Krishna Mukkavilli - REU student, Arizona State University (c/o 2009)
Ilyas Sarwar - Visiting group member
Peter Wells - BS (UD 2009)