Dr. Ram Ambre
Office: SGM 111, Lab: SGM 243/136

Hello everyone, I am Ram Ambre from India. I have completed my PhD from Taiwan and have postdoctoral research work experience from Taiwan, Sweden and United States. I am friendly and easy-going person, having a positive attitude towards work and life. Apart from work I like to spend time with my wife, kids, and friends. In the Worrell group I am involved in synthesis, characterization and application of CO releasing organic polymers.  

Dr. Mckenna Hanson
Office: SGM 111, Lab: SGM 239/243/112

I’m Mckenna Hanson, a recent Denver transplant originally from Minnesota. I graduated with my PhD from the Reineke group at the University of Minnesota back in April. While there, I focused on cationic micelles for antisense oligonucleotide delivery as well as some other biological applications of polymers. Outside of work, I love hiking, skiing, camping, and hanging out with my foster fails, Louie the kitty and Ted the pup!

Nick Bagnall (G4)
nicholas.bagnall(at)du.edu
Office: SGM 229, Lab: SGM 239/243

I was born and raised in Colorado where I’ve lived in Denver and Durango. I enjoy spending my extra time outside biking and skiing, so Colorado has been the perfect state for me. I went to undergraduate to study mathematics but ended up falling in love with chemistry because of group theory. I finished my bachelor’s degree at Metropolitan State University of Denver studying Chemistry with a minor in mathematics. In the Worrell lab I plan to work on organometallic catalysts for applications in polymers and materials science.

Meredith Jones (G3)
meredith.h.jones(at)du.edu
Office: SGM 229, Lab: SGM 239/243

I grew up in Carbondale, Illinois (not Chicago), then moved on to Tennessee for undergrad at Sewanee. There I majored in chemistry, worked in an inorganic lab, and spent my free time trail running on the Cumberland plateau. After graduating I headed to Denver to continue pursuing mountain related activities. In the Worrell lab I plan to work on organic synthesis with applications in polymer and materials science.

Riya Joshi (M2)
riya.joshi(at)du.edu
Office: SGM 229, Lab: SGM 239/243/112

I grew up in Delhi, India and came to US for my undergraduate studies in The College of Wooster (Ohio). I graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and immediately moved to University of Denver for graduate studies. Besides chemistry I love going to gym, make dance videos (reels mainly), clubbing and all sorts of outdoor activities. In Worrell Lab, I will be working on CO releasing polymers and other fun stuff. 

Cole Jernigan (G1)
cole.jernigan(at)du.edu
Office: SGM 229, Lab: SGM 239/243

I was born in New York City and grew up in London, England before coming back to the US in 2014. I came to Denver in 2019 seeking the mountains as I love skiing and hiking, and the outdoors in general. I arrived at DU as a Biochemistry major, but I quickly realized my love for chemistry within my first year, so I switched my major to Chemistry with a Biology minor. I am specifically interested in organic synthesis and polymer chemistry with applications in material science, which is what I will be doing in the Worrell Lab.

Jeffrey Amidon (G1)
Office: SGM 229, Lab: SGM 239/243/112

I was born and raised in Denver till I went to Michigan to attend Calvin University where I studied chemistry and found a real passion for organic synthesis.  Growing up in Colorado I enjoyed all of the outdoor activities that the state has to offer but I have a particular love for fly fishing and camping. In the Worrell Lab I plan to work on organic synthesis in the context of CO releasing polymers.

Zac Abero (technical staff)
zac.abero(at)du.edu

Hi! I'm Zac, I grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois. I moved to Denver to pursue my undergraduate degree in Computer Science where I discovered the Innovation Labs through my work-study position. Here, I quickly found a passion for creating things with my hands. The work I do relates to the prototyping and fabrication process, including iterative design.  I particularly specialize in the usage of wood in the making process but I am also familiar with thermoplastics and metals as well. Other than that, I enjoy skateboarding. snowboarding, illustrating, photography, biking, camping, gardening, repairing things, and cooking. In the Worrell Lab, I am working on retrofitting lab equipment to harvest and compile research data later to be analyzed in comparison with formal research equipment.

Pat Seitz-Sitek (U4)
pat.seitz-sitek(at)du.edu
Office: SGM 111, Lab: SGM 239/243

I was born and raised in northern New Jersey just outside of New York City before moving to Colorado to live near my brother and attend school in 2019. I have also spent some time living on the central coast of California in Santa Barbara working in the mountain bike industry, but decided Colorado was the place for me. I am an avid mountain biker, skier and dog dad to a mixed breed pup named Lola who I enjoy spending time with. My interest in chemistry began during my time working as a firefighter where I went through extensive HAZMAT training and responded to emergencies at scientific and industrial facilities such as Nokia Bell Labs in Murray Hill, New Jersey. This led me to DU to study chemistry and geography. In the Worrell Lab I plan to develop strong skills in organic synthesis, and the use of organometallic catalysts in polymer chemistry with Nick Bagnall.

Viv Lawless (U2)
viv.lawless(at)du.edu
Office: SGM 229, Lab: SGM 239/243

I’m originally from Columbus, Ohio but chose University of Denver due to my love for the outdoors and the amount of family I have in Denver. I am a Biochemistry major with a minor in biology and medical physics. My true passion is chemistry but I am highly interested in the application of chemistry in medicine which led me to biochem and the use of polymers in the biomedical field. In the Worrell Lab I work with Riya Joshi and Mckenna Hanson on polymer production for undergraduate labs and am doing in situ kinetic experiments. 

Theo Canji (U3)
theo.canji(at)du.edu
Office: SGM 111

Hi! I’m Theo, I grew up in Chicago before coming to study at the University of Denver. I am pursuing degrees in GIS and Computer Science with a minor in math. I am super intrigued by all facets of life and learning, whether it be algorithms, making tables in the wood shop or learning how to play the piano. In the lab I am focused on software development and data analytics.