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The Stoppel Lab has openings for PhD students, MS students, and undergraduate students.
The Stoppel Lab is not accepting applications for postdoctoral positions at this time.
Interested UF undergraduates in ChE or BME or those interested in the application of biochemistry and entomology to an engineering project should fill out an application.
Students interested in summer undergraduate REUs should apply.
Students with a BS in ChE or closely related fields interested in the PhD program should apply to the UF ChE Department with information here. Fee waivers are provided to all PhD applicants. 

PhD  Students

Marisa   O.   Pacheco,  BS

  • 2022-2025 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow
  • 2024 ACS Women Chemists Committee Merck Research Award Winner
  • Named a 2022-2023 SEC Emerging Scholar  
  • 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025  UF ChE 1st Year PhD Student Mentor Award Recipient
  • 2021-2022 UF Chemical Engineering Excellence in Research Award Recipient
    • Mari was recognized for her many accomplishments as a scientist and researcher with an award from the UF ChE department
  • 2020 HWCOE Kirkland Fellow
  • Joined the Stoppel Lab as a PhD student in Fall 2020 after completing a BS in Chemical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder
    • During summer 2019, Mari joined the Stoppel Lab as an REU student
    • Mari is from Boulder, Colorado and when not in lab, likes to be outside either hiking, playing tennis or camping with friends and family.

Bryce  D.  Shirk,  MS

  • 2024-2027 USDA Predoctoral Research Fellow
  • Bryce is working on a project aimed at developing new functional silk fibroin biopolymers through genetic engineering strategies
  • Joined the Stoppel Lab as a UF BME PhD student in Spring 2021
    • BS, Florida State University, Biochemistry & MS, University of Florida, Entomology
    • Bryce is from Gainesville, FL and, when not studying silk fibroin proteins, he enjoys playing tennis, cooking, and spending time outdoors, especially with his 3 dogs

Elizabeth   L.   aikman,  BS

  • 2022-2025 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow
  • 2024 UF Chemical Engineering Leadership, Outreach, and Service Award Winner
  • Elizabeth is working to build platforms and 3D tissues for investigating the progression of rare muscular dystrophies
  • Joined the Stoppel Lab in Fall 2021 as a PhD student in Chemical Engineering
    • Graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kansas
    • Elizabeth is from Wichita, KS and enjoys hanging out with friends and family, playing board games, and spending time outdoors​​

Lauren   E.   Eccles,  BS

  • Lauren joined the Stoppel Lab in Fall 2022 as a PhD student in the Chemical Engineering department
  • Lauren will be working on leveraging silk materials from various sources for applications in environmental engineering
  • She is also contributing to a large NSF Grant focused on understanding the connections between the genome, proteome, and silk fiber structure in 13+ insects in collaboration with the Florida Museum and Dr. Akito Kawahara, and many collaborators across the US
  • Lauren obtained her Bachelors degree from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in May 2022
  • Lauren joined the Stoppel Lab for Summer 2021 as part of the UF ChE NSF REU program

Jasmine   B.   McTyer,  BS

  • Jasmine joined the Stoppel Lab in Fall 2022 as a PhD student in the Chemical Engineering department
  • Jasmine is working on biomaterials formulations from novel silk sources as part of our NIH NIGMS MIRA Award, looking to understand cell-material interactions in these new biomaterials 
  • Jasmine is also working on a collaboration with local Florida industry, collaborating with scientists and engineers at NeXtGen, Inc. 
  • Jasmine obtained her Bachelors degree from Clemson University in 2022

William   Gross   IV,   BS

  • Will joined the Stoppel Lab in Fall 2023 as a PhD student in the Chemical Engineering department
  • Will's major focus is on the electrogelation of double network hydrogels, using silk fibroin from two main sources to understand the impact of protein sequence on hydrogel dynamics
  • Will also aids in analysis of new silk materials produced in Plodia interpunctella, assessing their properties and structures, to better understand fundamental differences in silk biopolymer structure as a function of protein sequence
  • Will is also an UF NCAA Track and Field team member as a hammer thrower
  • Will graduated with his Bachelors in Chemical Engineering from the University of Akron in 2023

Ivan  G.  de   Barros   Abraao   de   Souza, MS

  • Ivan joined the Stoppel lab in Fall 2024 as a PhD student in the Chemical Engineering Department
  • Ivan will be working on silk nanoparticle systems and their clinical applications
  • Prior to starting his PhD, Ivan competed his MS degree in Chemical Engineering at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas and his BS in Chemical Engineering at Universidade Federal do Parana, in Brazil
  • Ivan also has experience in product development, working at Corbion prior to completing his MS degree

Nikita   M.   Patel,  BS

  • Nikita joined the Stoppel Lab as a MS student in Fall 2024 and transitioned to the PhD program in May 2025
  • Nikita earned a BS in Entomology from UF in May 2024, prior to exploring her interests in Chemical Engineering
  • Nikita's unique training is a perfect match for the Stoppel lab, where she will be working on engineered silk fusion proteins for applications in healthcare and medicine

This   Could   Be   You !!

The Stoppel Lab may consider adding additional PhD students to the group from the Fall 2025 pool of candidates admitted by the Chemical Engineering PhD Program. Apply by Dec. 5th for priority consideration. Matching for these students will take place after arrival at UF. 
  • Please apply to the UF Chemical Engineering Department if you are looking for Fall 2025 opportunities! We have fee waivers for all PhD applicants- sign up for the mailing list here! 
  • Projects available include tissue engineering and regeneration of skeletal muscle, evaluation of rare skeletal muscle disorders, and development of novel silk-based biomaterials for applications in healthcare and medicine, genetic engineering in insects, and evaluation of scale-up/GMP methods for silk production

Masters  Students

Tony   Wiafe   Frimpong,   BS

  • Tony joined the Stoppel Lab in Fall 2023 as a student in the Chemical Engineering department
  • ​Tony is working on computational assessments of genetic engineering strategies for silk fibroin proteins
  • Tony obtained his Bachelors degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana in 2022

Riya   Soni,  BS

  • MS Student in BME at UF
  • As a MS student, Riya is working with Jasmine McTyer assisting with efforts to characterize axolotl extracellular matrix proteins
  • She is proficient in histological techniques and a strong team player

Hai   Doan,  BS

  • MS Student in ChE at UF
  • Hai joined the Stoppel lab in Fall 2023 and will work on our skeletal muscle tissue engineering projects for her MS thesis! 
  • Hai graduated from Penn State University in May 2023, with a BS in Chemical Engineering and minor in Biomedical Engineering, after serving as a research assistant in Hee Jeung Oh's research group
  • Hai enjoys working out and annoying her cat when she isn't in lab or working on her classwork

This   Could   Be   You!!

  • On-going efforts within the lab are always in need of support from MS students
  • If you are interested in joining the lab, please reach out to Dr. Stoppel ​

Medical   Students

Nickolas   Davies

  • Summer 2022 Research Grant Award Recipient from the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA)
    • This short-Term Institutional Research Training Grant (T35) supports Nick's summer stipend and professional development!
    • Nick won 3rd place in the MSRP Symposium!
  • President Elect of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Medical Student Component
  • Joined the Stoppel Lab in Spring 2022 to work on our DoD CDMRP funded project on oxygen therapeutics

UNdergraduate   Students

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Hannah Bagnis (and Luna moth), Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2025, 2023-2024 UF University Scholar and Summer 2023 NIH Scholar
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Cathrine Beshay, Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2026, 2024-2025 UF University Scholar
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Llia Byron, Biochemistry Undergraduate Student, Class of 2027, Summer 2022 SSTP HS Lab Member
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Isabelle Gerzenshtein, Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2025
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Max Kuliyev, Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Student, 2025 CURE Student, Class of 2028
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Rebecca Liwang, Biology Undergraduate Student, Class of 2026, Lab Technician
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Isabel Matias Cruz, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2027, 2024 UF Emerging Scholar
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Sarah Newcomb, Microbiology and Cell Science Undergraduate Student, Class of 2028
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Carlos Olmedo Iniguez, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2028
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Andrea Orozcotorres (and Luna moth), Chemistry Undergraduate Student, Class of 2025, Lab Technician and Researcher
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Casey Perez, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2028, Lab Technician
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Liam Rodgers, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2026
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Cecilia Rodriguez (and a hickory horned devil caterpillar), Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2025, 2024-2025 UF University Scholar
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Elena Rollins, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2025
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Zella Tavai, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2027, Lab Technician
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David Tran, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2028
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Travis Truong, Biochemistry Undergraduate Student, Class of 2025, Lab Technician and Researcher
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Jacob Urbina, Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2028, 2025 UF CURE Student
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Gloriana Valladares Lima, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate, Class of 2027
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Kaylie Verkon, Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate, Class of 2028, 2025 UF CURE Student

High   School   Students

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Attisun Blackwell, class of 2024 from North Marion High School in Citra, FL joined the lab during Summer 2023 via the UF Summer Science Training Program. Attisun continues to work in the Stoppel Lab during the 2023-2024 academic year. Attisun is mentored by Lauren Eccles.
The UF Summer Science Training Program gives high school students the opportunity to stay on the UF campus and participate in research over the summer.
2024 Participants:
  • Kamilat Mustapha
  • Stella Duran Gonzalez
2023 Participants:
  • Rachel Oley
  • Attisun Blackwell
  • Qingyuan (Harry) Zhang
2022 Participants:
  • Isiri Kadambi
  • Llia Byron
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Harry Zhang presenting is poster at the 2023 SSTP Symposium in July 2023
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Rachel Oley presenting her work during the SSTP Final Presentations in July 2023

Stoppel   Lab   Alumni

PhD   Alumni

​Julie    F   Jameson

  • 2021-2022 UF Graduate School Graduate Mentoring Award Recipient
    • Julie discusses her mentoring philosophy here. Her impact on the growth and development of Stoppel Lab trainees will be felt for many years to come. 
  • 2021-2022 American Association of Women Emerging Scholars Dissertation Award Recipient from the UF AAW Chapter
  • 2021-2022 UF Chemical Engineering Excellence in Research Award Recipient
    • Julie was recognized for her many accomplishments as a scientist and researcher with an award from the UF ChE department, following nominations from Dr. Stoppel and Dr. Butler
  • 2019-2020 Attributes of a Gator Engineer for Leadership Award Recipient
    • The Attributes of a Gator Engineer Award is considered the most prestigious award bestowed on students within the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida
  • Julie joined the Stoppel Lab in Fall 2018 as a PhD Student in Chemical Engineering and defended her thesis on March 14, 2022. She graduated in May 2022
    • Institute for Cell and Tissue Science and Engineering Robert C. Pittman Fellow 2017-2018
    • HWCOE Graduate Preeminence Fellow
    • Chair of the University of Florida Graduate Student Council, 2019-2020
    • BS, University of Arkansas, Chemical Engineering
    • Julie is from Oklahoma City, OK and enjoys playing soccer, sharing science and engineering concepts with kids in K-12, and hanging out friends and family​

Master's   Alumni

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Nisha Kotta, MS August 2024 BME Graduate
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Cong Sun, MS December 2022 ChE Graduate; Currently a PhD Student at UF in Chemistry
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Neeharicka Measala, MS Fall 2021 Graduate
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Parth Patel, MS Spring 2021 ChE Graduate
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Hanifah A. Yasin, MS Spring 2020 UF Graduate
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Raul G. Cruz Quintero, MS Summer 2020 UF Graduate, Pfizer

Undergraduate   Alumni

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Annie Nguyen, Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2024. Annie is a PhD student at UConn BME.
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Emily Fussell, Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate, Class of 2024, 2022-2023 UF University Scholar,. Emily is an MS Student at Cornell
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Asha Rao, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2023, 2022-2023 UF University Scholar. Asha is working at Abbott in Chicago, IL.
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Axianax Merone, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2023. Axi works at Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati, OH.
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Jonathan Valentin, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2023
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Jostin Armada, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2022. Jostin is a PhD student in Chemical Engineering at Cornell University
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Vy Ly, UF Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2022; Vy is an Associate Specialist at Merck (Elkton, VA)
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Isabela Torres, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2022, 2021-2022 UF University Scholar; Isabela is a Product Owner at Radix Engineering & Software
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Monique Bernier, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2022, 2020-2021 UF University Scholar; Monique is currently a Discovery Program Lead at AAB
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Viviana Pinzon, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2021. Viviana is an Associate Scientist at Gillette (Procter & Gamble) in Boston, MA
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Melissa Kolaci, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2021; Currently a Process Development Coordinator at Lacerta Therapeutics
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Caroline Hamric, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2021, 2020-2021 UF University Scholar; Caroline is an Associate Scientist at Catalent Pharma in St. Petersburg, FL
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Kelly M. Bukovic, BS Spring 2020 UF Graduate; Currently a Chemical Engineering PhD Student at the University of Virginia
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Christian V. Ore, BS Spring 2020 UF Graduate; Currently employed at Proctor and Gamble
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Ali Lateef, BS Spring 2021 UF Graduate; Currently a PhD student at the University of Delaware

Summer   NSF   REU   Student Alumni   (funded   by   ​NSF EEC-1852111)

The UF ChE NSF REU program and UF HWCOE Summer Undergraduate Research at Florida Programs support undergraduate participation in summer research.  
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Alaura Cakley participated in Stoppel Lab summer research in 2022. Alaura is a Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering undergraduate student at Clemson University working in the Larsen Lab!
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Katie Leonard participated in Stoppel Lab summer research in 2022. Katie graduated with her BS from Auburn University in 2023 and is attending Rice University for her PhD!
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Kayleigh Trumbull participated in Stoppel Lab summer research in 2023. Kayleigh is a Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering undergraduate student at Clemson University working in the Larsen Lab!
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Kristen Bennett participated in Stoppel Lab summer research in 2023. Kristen is a Chemical Engineering undergraduate at the University of Washington working in the Nance Lab!

Additional   Lab   Alumni

  • ​Adelyn Richgels, Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, Class of 2026, 2023-2024 UF University Scholar (2022-2024)
  • Zachary Ostrander, UF Biology Undergraduate, (2023-2024)
  • Anna Weaver, Chemistry and Innovation Undergraduate Student, Class of 2026, 2021-2022 High School Student Member
  • Rachel Oley, UF Summer 2023 SSTP High School Student Researcher (Summer 2023)
  • Marina Fernandez Campa, UF Biomedical Engineering Student (2019-Spring 2023)
  • Cori Holloway, UF Anatomy and Physiology Student (January 2022-December 2022)
  • Isiri Kadambi, UF Summer 2022 SSTP High School Student Researcher (Summer 2022)
  • Michael O'Brien, UF Chemical Engineering Masters Student (August 2021- May 2022)
  • Amin Suchedina, UF Biology Undergraduate, Spring 2022
  • Jack McNamara, UF Mathematics Undergraduate Student, CURE Program Spring 2022
  • Ashley Landry, UF Chemical Engineering Undergraduate, January 2021-December 2021​
  • Adam Koff, UF Chemical Engineering Undergraduate, December 2020-December 2021
  • Yash Patel, UF Chemical Engineering Master's Student, January 2021
  • ​Alexa Espinoza, UF Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, October 2018-December 2019
  • Keri Clarke, UF Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Student, October 2018-May 2019
  • Jinbo Gong, UF Chemical Engineering Masters Student, March 2020-December 2020
  • ​Kayla Sutcliffe, UF MRET NSF-Sponsored Public School Teacher STEM Program, Glen Springs Elementary, Summer 2019
  • ​Mackenzie McNickle, UF MRET NSF-Sponsored Public School Teacher STEM Program, Stephen Foster Elementary, Summer 2019
How to join the Stoppel Lab as a PhD Student
  • Get accepted into the PhD program in the UF Chemical Engineering Department (Applications due December 5th) 
    • ​The Stoppel Lab is interested in both US students and International Students with UG (or MS degrees) in Chemical Engineering or related field
    • The Stoppel Lab will take PhD students from other departments, pending available funding
How to join the Stoppel Lab as a MS Student
How to join the Stoppel Lab as an Undergraduate
  • Fill out an application and email it to Dr. Stoppel 
    • Check out the services provided by the UF Center for Undergraduate Research to understand what is expected from an UG performing research
    • Priority will be given to Chemical Engineering UGs looking to complete an honors thesis
    • Check out the requirements for an engineering undergraduate honors thesis  
    • Students are welcome to take EGN 4912 for credit after their first semester, usually 1 credit/semester in lab
  • Apply for funding from UF to support your work during the semester (ask Dr. Stoppel if you need help!)
  • Students interested in working over the summe
    • Take lab for course credit (EGN 4912)- make sure to discuss this with Dr. Stoppel as early as possible before the semester starts
Suggested funding mechanisms for PhD Students:
*Funding is not required to join the lab as a PhD student. However, in addition to strengthening your CV, funding provides students with:
  • More opportunities and freedom in their research during their PhD 
  • More opportunities for networking and conference attendance
  • Flexibility in professional development activities
  • Members of the Stoppel Lab should anticipate an inclusive and hardworking environment where: 
    • Intellectual merit, creativity, and diversity are celebrated
    • Respectfulness and compassion are required
    • Engagement with the community through outreach is encouraged
  • We welcome students of all backgrounds and identities and will not discriminate based on any group to which one might identify
  • Lab alumni go on to positively impact our society in a variety of future endeavors
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