Postdoctoral Researchers

Andrew Mahler Andrew Mahler
Rm. 245, Chemistry Bld.
andrew.mahler@louisville.edu

Originally from Texas, Andrew moved to Louisville in 2018. Andrew did his undergraduate in chemistry, with a minor in computer science at the University of West Texas in San Angelo, TX. He then moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area to do graduate studies at the University of North Texas and a postdoctoral position at Texas Christian University. Andrew is now working as a civilian programmer for the U.S. Army.

Undergraduate Researchers

Irma Avdic Irma Avdic
Rm. 245, Chemistry Bld.
irma.avdic@louisville.edu

I was born and raised in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and have been living in Louisville, KY since 2016. I graduated from Ballard High School, Louisville, KY in 2017, and started attending the University of Louisville in the fall that year. Since my second year of college, I have been working as a chemistry tutor at the UofL’s REACH center, tutoring general and organic chemistry. I have also been a TA for general chemistry labs (CHEM 207/208) and will be a TA for the Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 465) course in the upcoming semester. The summer before my junior year of college, I spent interning as a quality control lab technician at Zeochem, LLC in Louisville, KY. I also do undergraduate research in a laser lab studying Doppler-free and cavity ring-down spectroscopy.





Thomas Pike Dane Pike
Rm. 245, Chemistry Bld.
thomas.pike@louisville.edu

Dane graduated in Spring 2020 and recieved a special citation for outstanding academic performance for his chemistry GPA. He was planning to start his graduate studies in anthropology.







Piper Roe Piper Roe
Rm. 245, Chemistry Bld.
piper.roe@louisville.edu

I am from Roanoke, VA. In 2016, I graduated from Cave Spring High School. Since the fall of 2016 I have been attending the University of Louisville and am pursuing a BS in chemistry with a track in business. Additionally, I am on the UofL volleyball team and am a volleyball representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Piper graduated in Fall 2020 and won the ACS Analytical Division award, as well as receiving a special citation for outstanding academic performance for her chemistry GPA. Additionally, she recieved an NCAA scholarship for her academic performance. She went on to an MBA at University of Louisville with the goal of going on to pharma/med sales.



Kushal Nellore Kushal Nellore
Rm. 245, Chemistry Bld.
kushal.nellore@louisville.edu

I am from Louisville. I graduated from Manual High School, Louisville, KY in 2017, and started attending the University of Louisville that year. I am pursuing a BS in chemistry with a track in biochemistry. Additionally, I have also done research at the UofL school of medicine.






Jayden Connelly Jayden Connelly
Rm. 245, Chemistry Bld.
jayden.connelly@louisville.edu

Jayden is currently a senior at the University of Louisville studying biochemistry with a minor in philosophy. She is originally from Taylor Mill, in Northern Kentucky where she graduated from Scott High School, but has lived in Louisville since starting college. You can often find her at U of L’s Interfaith Center where she is the Office Manager and the Secretary for UofL Catholic. When not working, she can be found drinking tea, spinning some records, or painting in her apartment.



Meagan Haase Meagan Haase
Rm. 245, Chemistry Bld.
meagan.haase@louisville.edu

Meagan is originally from West Bend, Wisconsin where she graduated from West Bend East High School in 2019. She has attended the University of Louisville ever since then, pursuing a BS in Chemistry with a track in biochemistry and minoring in French. She is currently a tutor with the university's REACH center where she tutors a multitude of subjects, but really enjoys the lower level sciences. She also does research with Dr. Jinjun Liu's research group. Meagan is excited to officially join Thompson's group and add to her research experience.



Jonathan Bersson Jonathan Bersson
Rm. 245, Chemistry Bld.
jonathan.bersson@louisville.edu

I am currently an undergraduate who will be majoring in Chemistry at the end of 2022. I'm originally from Hawaii but I have moved around and am loving being in Louisville KY. I am excited to have a chance to experience research and put my academic knowledge into practice.

High School Researchers

Demos Negash Demos Negash
Rm. 245, Chemistry Bld.
Demos came to us from duPont Manual High School and spent two semesters in the lab working on computing absorbtion spectra of doped amorphous silica nanoclusters. His work was presented at Kentucky Regional Science Fair and, as a result of winning third place and the Amazon Innovation Award, he was provided funds to travel and present his work at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair held in Phoenix AZ.