ShivanI biskunda
Why did you select UF ChE?
I chose UF’s Chemical Engineering program because of its strong emphasis on cutting-edge research and its renowned faculty. The program’s focus on innovation in various aspects of chemical engineering and its state-of-the-art facilities were a perfect fit for my career goals in the biotech industry. Additionally, UF’s collaborative environment, advanced laboratories and commitment to interdisciplinary work were key factors in my decision.
What are your research interests?
My research interests lie in the field of biomedicine and biotechnology, with a focus on developing novel therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases. I work in the Denard Lab, under the supervision of Dr. Carl Andre Denard. Specifically, I work with model organisms like Yeast and E. Coli using the principles of Protein Engineering and Synthetic Biology to engineer proteases that can target and degrade aggregated proteins. I work with my Ph.D. mentor Lawton Long and he has been extremely helpful in my journey so far. This has significantly shaped my professional career and I’m currently a co-author on a yeast paper which is under review and working as a co-op at Moderna!
What do you like about UF?
What I appreciate most about UF is the vibrant academic environment and the plethora of opportunities available to students. The support from faculty and the availability of resources like 24/7 libraries and advanced laboratory facilities have greatly enriched my learning experience. Additionally, there are many fun activities and food joints at the Reitz Union for the students to step beyond academics and explore other interests. For the Indian students, do not miss out on the Holi and Diwali events hosted by IGSA.
What do enjoy about living in Gainesville?
Living in Gainesville has been a refreshing experience, with its blend of a close-knit community and the natural beauty that surrounds the area. Being a college town, I can truly enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and explore outdoor activities like trails and hikes. It is just a 2-hour drive to nearest cities like Tampa and Orlando. Downtown Gainesville is total fun too, making it a unique place to live and study!
What do you do in your free time?
In my free time on campus, I love participating in student events at the Reitz Union and bowling at the game room. I also enjoy exploring Gainesville’s local cafes and nature trails, which provide a perfect escape from the rigors of academic life. Additionally, I find joy in taking long walks by nature, swimming and playing badminton at UF’s SW Recreational Centre.
Tell us about the connections you have made at UF
The connections I’ve made at UF have been instrumental in my personal and professional growth. From collaborating with fellow students on research projects to receiving guidance from professors, these relationships have been a cornerstone of my experience here. Being part of a diverse and inclusive community has also allowed me to forge friendships that I know will last beyond my time at UF.
Please share some positive experiences you’ve had with your ChE professors
My professors in the Chemical Engineering department have been incredibly supportive and encouraging. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with faculty members who are not only experts in their fields but also genuinely invested in their students’ success.
Dr. Sumant has always been my go-to professor for any challenges I’ve faced during my time at college. Whether it was navigating visa issues or seeking course guidance, he was always ready to support me. Another particularly memorable experience was when I needed recommendations for the Excellence Awards. Even professors from my first semester, who may not have remembered me well, graciously provided letters of recommendation. I am incredibly thankful and deeply grateful to all of them.
This kind of personalized support has made a significant impact on my academic, personal and professional journey.
Siqi Wang
Why did you select UF ChE?
When I considered pursuing my master’s degree, UF was always at the top of my list. The master’s program in Chemical Engineering is both professionally practical and impactful. The course design is well-structured, requiring two lab courses that have been invaluable in preparing me for hands-on research. My undergraduate major was in chemistry, and my interest in real-world applications led me to switch to chemical engineering. UF’s ME program is tailored for students like me, who come from different backgrounds, providing the essential foundational knowledge in Chemical Engineering. Additionally, the course workload is manageable, allowing me to focus on research and gain practical lab experience.
What are your research interests?
I am interested in polymer material. My involvement in a project focused on designing and understanding advanced polymer materials for membrane separations is directed toward addressing grand challenges in clean water and energy production. This project has broadened my perspective on polymer applications and fueled my motivation to pursue further study through a Ph.D. program, with a particular interest in the broad applications of polymers.
What do you like about UF?
UF has a rich academic atmosphere, and the community here is incredibly supportive. Both faculty and students are always willing to communicate and assist each other. I love how so many students proudly wear Gator gear—it shows how much everyone values being part of this community. It truly feels like a big family.
What do you enjoy about living in Gainesville?
Gainesville is a quiet and comfortable place, ideal for studying and living. This environment allows me to fully immerse myself in my studies. I also appreciate the weather, especially in winter when the temperature is perfect for me.
What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy swimming and playing badminton with friends. UF has one of the best gyms and swimming pools in Florida, and I even learned breaststroke here! Playing badminton has also helped me make friends, and we’ve spent many enjoyable weekends together. They have been very supportive in my academic journey. Additionally, I love going on road trips with friends during vacations — Orlando and Miami are just a short drive away.
Tell us about the connections you have made at UF
My lab members have become great friends and an important part of my life at UF. We collaborate closely on research projects, and this teamwork has not only strengthened our research but also fostered deep personal connections. Outside of the lab, we often spend time together, whether it’s playing sports, attending university events, or simply hanging out. These friendships have made my experience at UF even more fulfilling. Additionally, I’ve connected with other students across the Chemical Engineering department through seminars and group discussions. These interactions have expanded my academic network and provided valuable insights and support throughout my studies. The sense of community at UF has been instrumental in my personal and academic growth.
Please share some positive experiences you’ve had with your ChE professors
I am incredibly grateful to my PI, Professor Joshua Moon. His approach to teaching is not only thorough but also deeply encouraging. He creates an environment where making mistakes is seen as a part of the learning process, which has greatly helped me build confidence in my research abilities. His classes are a perfect blend of clarity, inspiration, and engagement, making complex topics accessible and interesting.
I also appreciate the guidance of our graduate advisor, Professor Sumant Patankar, who encouraged me to join a lab and helped me overcome my lack of confidence. The other professors I have met in class are professional and patient. I truly enjoy my time in their classes.
Labdhi Shah
Why did you select UF ChE?
I was impressed by the research facilities and profile of professors at UF ChE. It is also highly ranked university. I also discovered that, at UF it’s possible to do interdisciplinary research. I am passionate about working towards developing something new and I had my Undergrad degree in ChE. So, I thought to continue the same path. Therefore, I chose UF CHE.
What are your research interests?
I am interested in nanofabrication, specifically using oxide compounds. I am working on fabricating the magnetic memory with Oxide compounds.
What do you like about UF?
UF has ample research opportunities and plenty of resources like lab facilities and supportive professors. Libraries and reading halls provide a good atmosphere to study and concentrate. UF also has computer and printing labs. These facilities have really made my study much easier. Apart from that, bus facilities have also made my life much more convenient and economical. The events like Gameday, Gator night, etc. are fun part about UF, which helps me feel connected.
What do enjoy about living in Gainesville?
I enjoy sunny weather and beaches, the most about Gainesville. The city has two sides: It’s a peaceful town to live, but on weekends the downtown offers a party atmosphere.
What do you do in your free time?
I play badminton and table-tennis at Southwest recreational center.
Tell us about the connections you have made at UF
I have made connections at the Nanoscale Research Facility (NRF) through Semiconductor Career Readiness Organization (SCRO). I am a member of SCRO. This has provided me with firsthand experience of all microfabrication processes and have also put me to the connections with recruiter in Semiconductor Manufacturing companies.
Apart from SCRO, I am connected to most of seniors from UF through LinkedIn. UF has a very wide network of alumni, and being a UF student helps a lot to connect with these alumni.
Please share some positive experiences you’ve had with your ChE professors
The professors in ChE are very supportive.
When I was new to the university, Dr. Kirk Ziegler helped me initially to find out the research group. He has always replied to my emails and helped solved my concerns like, whether to do thesis or take research credits.
Right after I started my master’s, Dr. Jason Butler gave me opportunity to work in his Lab in DNA electrophoresis. I worked there for few months, and learned a lot.
My coursework experience at ChE has also been great. I appreciate the guidance from Dr. Sumant Patankar in Advanced Chem Bio Lab. I have gone to him any time I need guidance with coursework as well as questions about jobs and Ph.D. options. I really appreciate all the opportunities that I have at ChE.
Marissa Premsukh
Why did you select UF ChE?
I did my undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering here at UF. I originally chose UF ChE because it was the best chemical engineering program in the state. I stayed on to complete a master’s here though because of the practical experience I could gain in the program’s lab courses and because of how challenging the coursework is. I learned so much during my undergrad, but I also wanted to explore subjects that I didn’t realize I was interested in until late into my undergrad. The Master’s program gave me the chance to focus more on the subjects I wanted to.
What are your research interests?
I currently study polymer informatics under Dr. Janani Sampath. I mostly use machine learning algorithms and data science techniques to try predicting polymer properties. I’ve learned how to use different Python packages and data-scraping methods, and I’ve gotten to use UF’s supercomputer, HiPerGator, to run experiments.
What do you like about UF?
UF has something for everyone, and it’s easy to meet new people. I like how there are a lot of opportunities to work part-time on campus. I’ve worked at UF’s Academic Technology Learning Spaces for over a year. It’s on campus so it’s easy to fit into my schedule, and I get time to work on homework while there.
What do enjoy about living in Gainesville?
Gainesville is a comfortable college town. There’s just enough restaurants and events so that you can find new things all the time, but it’s also not an overwhelming amount. Despite the Florida heat and humidity, Gainesville has a lot of nice nature trails and parks to explore as well..
What do you do in your free time?
I usually draw or read in my free time, but I’ve also been taking a beginning pottery class this semester at the Reitz Union’s arts and crafts center. I’ve always liked learning new art mediums, so using a potter’s wheel to make ceramics has always been a goal of mine. UF has leisure courses that you can take for a small fee, so I figured I’d make the most of it. Besides that, I also go out for brunch and to trivia nights at one of the local breweries with my friends.
Tell us about the connections you have made at UF
I’ve met a lot of my friends at UF through Alpha Chi Sigma, a chemical sciences fraternity here. I joined my freshmen year of undergrad, which was when I met one of my best friends and current roommate. People of any degree level can join, so I also met graduate students who helped me decide to go to graduate school and mentored me throughout my undergrad. You also make lifelong friends in your classes here too. I met my other two best friends on the second day of my first ChE class. The labs and some courses in this program really do foster groupwork, which gives you a chance to learn from other students as well.
Please share some positive experiences you’ve had with your ChE professors
During one of our research group outings, we went bowling. I got to see Dr. Sampath bowl for the first time (she did good!), and we all had a lot of fun getting to talk about non-research related things and hang out. We have group outings whenever a semester ends or when someone new joins the group, and it’s always a good time. When I mentioned earlier that I met my best friends on the second day of class, that was because Dr. Tocco had randomly assigned us to groups for that class period using a deck of cards. We had become such good friends that later, he thought we had known each other before that day rather than never had talked before. It was nice to see him surprised when we told him.
