Alumni

Cortnie was a summer K-INBRE student from Langston University during Summer 2026. She worked synthesizing cationic polymers and comparing the antimicrobial efficacy of polymers with different cationic groups. She plans to attend graduate school.

Syarif was an REU student from the University of Florida and worked on the synthesis of hyperbranched temperature-responsive polymers via RAFT polymerization. He plans to attend graduate school to pursue a PhD. 

Prabhleen joined the group in Spring 2025 and worked on the synthesis of ABA triblock copolymers (supported by the JCRC and the Kansas Water Institute). Prabhleen is pursuing a PhD in Organic Chemistry at the University of Florida.

Ishi joined the group in Fall 2024 and worked on the synthesis of activated ester and antimicrobial polymers. Ishi is pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering at Kansas State University.

Tristen joined the Calvo Group in Fall 2025 and worked on the synthesis of polymer-drug conjugates for delivery of cancer drugs (funded by the JCRC). She plans to pursue a career in medical sales. 

Brett joined the Calvo Group in Fall 2024 and worked on the synthesis of temperature responsive hyperbranched block-copolymers. He is currently a Chemistry Technician at Fagron Sterile Services (Wichita, KS)

Lin-Lin was an REU student from Augustana University and worked on the synthesis and characterization of temperature-responsive metal chelating polymers. She plans to pursue graduate studies in Chemistry.

Siri was an REU student from the University of Minnesota Morris student and worked on block copolymers for drug delivery. She plans on going to graduate school after finishing her BSc in Chemistry.

Maya joined the Calvo Group in Summer 2024 and worked on injectible antimicrobial microgels for wound healing. Maya plans to attend medical school after a gap year.

Alyssa joined the Calvo Group in Spring 2024 and worked on synthesizing antimicrobial polymers. She is  pursuing a PhD in Chemistry at Washington University St. Louis.

Riley joined the Calvo Group in Spring 2024 and worked on synthesizing polymer-drug conjugates for drug delivery (supported by JCRC). He is pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Nebraska.

Veronica joined the Calvo Group in Fall 2023 and worked on synthesizing functionalized chitosan for internal radiation therapy. Her research was supported by the Johnson Cancer Research Center (JCRC).

Tate joined the Calvo Group in Spring 2024 and worked on synthesizing polymer-antigen conjugates for vaccine delivery. Tate is currently pursuing a doctor of veterinary medicine at KSU..

Creighton joined the Calvo group in Spring 2024 and worked on the synthesis of antimicrobial monomers and polymers. Creighton is currently pursuing a master's in biomedical sciences at KSU.

Nick joined the Calvo Group in Spring 2024 and worked on the synthesis of crosslinked chitosan particles for water purification. Nick started law school in Fall 2024 to become a patent lawyer. 

Rehan joined the Calvo Group in Fall 2022 and worked on novel synthesis routes toward amino-functionalized monomers and antimicrobial polymers. Rehan started medical school at the University of Miami in Fall 2024. 

David joined the Calvo Group in Fall 2022 and worked on novel synthesis routes toward amino-functionalized monomers. David is pursuing an MD at McGovern Medical School (UT Health Houston, TX).

Esha joined the Calvo Group in Spring 2022 worked on a controlled release delivery system for topical acne treatment. Esha started medical school at the University of Pittsburgh in Fall 2024. 

Ashley joined the Calvo Group in Summer 2022 and worked on the functionalization of chitosan to create chelating polymers. She is pursuing an MD at UCF (Orlando, FL).

Frankie joined the Calvo Group in Summer 2022 and worked on the synthesis of modular polymers to create chelating materials. He is pursuing his DDS at NSU Dental School.

Andrew joined the Calvo Group in Summer 2022 and worked on the functionalization of chitosan to create chelating polymers. Andrew intends to pursue a career in the medical field.

Saipranavi joined the Calvo Group in Spring 2022 and worked on the synthesis of antimicrobial polymers for three semesters. She is pursuing a DO at Touro College (Middleton, NY).

Rithvik joined the Calvo Group in Spring 2022 and worked on the synthesis of antimicrobial monomers and polymers until Dr. Calvo's departure from NSU. Rithvik is currently pursuing his MD at Eastern Virginia University. 

Ashley was a student in the Calvo Group from Fall 2022 to Spring 2023. She worked on the synthesis of polymer-drug conjugates. Ashley intends to pursue a career in the medical field.

Meha joined the Calvo Group as a freshman in 2020 and completed an honors thesis in spring 2023 on her project. She is currently an MD student at Saint Louis University.

Blake was a research student in the Calvo group for two semesters (Fall 2021-Spring 2022). He worked on the synthesis of metal binding polymers. Blake intends to pursue a career in the medical field.

Agustin joined the Calvo Group in Fall 2020 and continued research until he graduated in Spring 2022. He is currently an MD student at Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University.

Sneha was an undergraduate student in the Calvo group from 2019-2021 working on the synthesis of metal chelating polymers. She is currently a DO student at NSU's Dr. Kiran Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Blanch was the first undergraduate research student in the Calvo group at NSU and worked on metal chelating polymers. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Chemistry with Prof. Brent Sumerlin at the University of Florida.