Jean-François Louf
Principal Investigator
Jean-François is an Assistant Professor at Auburn University in the Chemical Engineering department. He did both his undergraduate and graduate work in France (Nice - Lyon - Marseille). Later on, he worked as a postdoc at Virginia Tech with Sunny Jung, at CNRS Grenoble (France) with Philippe Marmottant, at the Technical University of Denmark with Kaare H. Jensen, and at Princeton University with Sujit S. Datta.
Jean-François is French and, as a result, loves red wine (be careful! he's picky) and food. He also loves thrills and doesn't hesitate to go very high to sky dive/hike the highest mountains, or also very deep to scuba dive in the seven seas.
Pablo Illing
Postdoctoral Associate
Pablo is a postdoctoral researcher at Auburn University in the Chemical Engineering department. He did his undergraduate work at the Universidad de Buenos Aires in Argentina. He worked on his Ph.D. in Emory University, in the US, with Dr. Eric Weeks researching soft amorphous materials and granular flows.
Pablo is an Argentinian, and as such there’s nothing more he enjoys than having a good meal with friends, talking about nothing for hours. He likes doing group and contact sports, and enjoys sparring with friends, or having a friendly football 5 match.
Alexis Florit
Undergraduate student
Alexis is an undergraduate student majoring in Chemical Engineering at Auburn University, with plans to graduate in 2027. She loves research and has an interest in Process Engineering with hopes to integrate the two to develop new techniques and applications for Chemical Engineering. She loves problem solving and working to create something from scratch and carries this passion into all her work.
Alexis grew up moving around, and has lived in 7 different cities, including Santiago, Chile, Montreal, and Fairfax, VA right outside DC. She loves to travel and completed her Business Minor abroad during Summer 2024 which gave her the opportunity to travel all over Europe. In Auburn, she loves swimming, running, and going on hikes with her friends.
Tofayel Ahammad Ovee
Graduate student
Tofayel is a graduate student (Phd) of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University. He had 09 years of industrial Experience with different organisations. He worked for Chevron Corporation as Operations Specialist (oil & gas), for Krisenergy Ltd. as control Room Specialist (oil & gas), lead acid battery manufacturering and polymer processing industry. He completed his bachelor in chemical engineering and polymer science from Shahjalal University of Science and technology, Bangladesh. During his bachelor he did his research with wastewater characterization.
He was involved with Chevron Diversity and inclusion committee during his job. He loves traveling, swimming, and cricket, movie, TV series.
Joshua Green
Graduate student
Joshua is an undergraduate student in Chemical Engineering at Auburn University and plans to graduate in 2023. Joshua enjoys working problems and finds interest in the medical field. He has worked in compounding pharmacy for six years and is a member of the Auburn Chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society.
Joshua grew up in north Alabama living on the river he enjoys fishing and swimming. In his free time likes to read, as well as spend time with friends playing pickleball or racquetball. Joshua also enjoys hiking and gardening.
Nicolas Ulrich
Graduate student
Nicolas is a graduate student in Chemical Engineering at Auburn University. He has Co-op experience as a Process Engineer at Argos Cement LLC. He is also currently working part-time at a startup called Automation Media Group.
Nicolas is from Athens, AL and grew up spending most of his time in the outdoors. These days camping, hiking, working on his car, reading and playing soccer are his favorite hobbies.
Katie Sorensen
Undergraduate student
Katie Sorensen is an undergraduate student studying Chemical Engineering at Auburn University, where she plans to graduate in May 2027. She has a strong interest in applying Chemical Engineering principles to solve complex problems, particularly in optimizing processes and enhancing efficiencies. Problem-solving is what first drew her to engineering, and she looks forward to continuing to develop these skills throughout her studies and research.
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Katie spent much of her time growing up swimming for and coaching the local swim team. Now in Auburn, she enjoys learning new music on her guitar and spending time with friends during her free time.
M. Lily Afroj
Graduate student
Lily is a Ph.D. student at Auburn University. She earned her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from BUET (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology) and later worked as a Lecturer at BAUST (Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology) for two years. Her undergraduate research focused on numerical modeling of latent-heat thermal energy storage using phase-change materials and thermodynamic analysis of integrated power and cooling systems.
​
As a Bengali, there is nothing Lily enjoys more than sharing a good homemade meal with her family. She loves cooking delicious food and spending time with her loved ones. Outside of academics, she enjoys swimming, traveling, and shopping
Molly Smith
Undergraduate student
Molly Smith is an undergraduate student in chemical engineering at Auburn University. She has experience working in the School of Pharmacy lab, in a chemical plant at Eastman, and performing Principal Component Analysis under Dr. Kieslich. She enjoys working alongside engineering students from multiple majors through Engineers Without Borders and has gone to Bolivia twice. She has a core belief that engineering technology should be reliable, accessible, and efficient.
When not studying, she enjoys reading, going to the gym, crossword puzzles, and word games. Outdoors she loves hunting ,hiking and soccer, but also doesn’t mind spending a sunny day in a hammock. Molly also has an extensive collection of books and National Geographic magazines, which sparked her curiosity to pursue engineering.
Tyler Woods
Undergraduate student
Tyler Woods is a sophomore in chemical engineering, graduating in 2028. He has worked in the Mistriotis Lab, where he studied cancer cell migration and developed skills in experimental techniques and data analysis. Tyler is driven by an interest in scientific problem-solving, especially where engineering and health intersect.
When he is not in class, studying, or working in the lab, Tyler enjoys watching and playing soccer — especially following Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team. He also loves Auburn football and college football in general, and enjoys spending weekends hanging out with friends.
Olivia Berger
Undergraduate student
Olivia Berger is an undergraduate student majoring in Chemical Engineering and plans to graduate in 2029. She is passionate about applying principles of chemistry and engineering to solve problems, especially through innovative in sustainable approaches. She is excited to continue to learn through research.
Olivia is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and enjoys being outdoors - hiking, playing her guitar, watching sports, or reading. She also loves trying new things!
Mary Frances Springfield
Undergraduate student
Mary Frances Springfield is an undergraduate student studying Chemical Engineering at Auburn University, with plans to graduate in May of 2027. She is particularly interested in applying engineering to agriculture and hopes to build a career at the intersection of chemical engineering, agriculture, and sustainable food systems. She is excited to continue exploring how engineering and science can be used to better understand and improve the systems that sustain us.
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Mary Frances has a lifelong love for Auburn and is grateful to serve the Auburn community in various capacities both on and off campus. Outside of the classroom and lab, she loves cooking, swimming, traveling, and spending time with friends. She is happiest when she is gathered around a table with good food and good company.
Owen Key
Undergraduate student
Owen is an undergraduate student majoring in Chemical Engineering at Auburn University, planning to graduate in 2028. He is interested in the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine, and plans to pursue medical school after graduation. Through his work, Owen hopes to strengthen his research and problem-solving skills while gaining a deeper understanding of biological systems.
Owen is originally from Birmingham, Alabama, and has been a lifelong Auburn fan. He always knew he wanted to be an Auburn engineer and fell in love with Chemical Engineering before coming to college. Outside of school, he loves running, biking, golfing, watching football, playing video games, and watching movies. His all-time favorite movie is The Martian.
Abby Sewell
Undergraduate student
Abby Sewell is an undergraduate student majoring in Chemical Engineering at Auburn University and plans to graduate in 2029. She is deeply curious about the world and is interested in the intersection between engineering and biological systems, and how they work together to solve important issues today. She is excited to continue exploring how engineering can be used in various and often unexpected ways.
Abby is originally from Birmingham, Alabama, and is thrilled to advance her academic journey at Auburn. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys playing piano and guitar, working out, drawing, taking photos, traveling, exploring nature, and trying new things.
Ryan Palmer
Undergraduate student
Ryan is an undergraduate student in Electrical Engineering at Auburn University who plans to graduate in 2029. He is interested in the intersection between engineering and medicine. He plans to hopefully attend graduate school for a masters and then medical school.
Ryan is originally from Pell City, Alabama and is super excited to advance his academic career at Auburn. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends, cooking, going to concerts, and playing video games.
Charles Hamlett
Undergraduate student
Charles is an undergraduate student in Chemical Engineering at Auburn University. Over the past summer, he completed a Process Engineering Internship with Aptar Active Material Science. He has been involved with Student Government Association, Sigma Nu Fraternity, and the Auburn Chapter of AICHE. Through research, he hopes to gain a deeper problem-solving skills.
Charles grew up in Memphis, TN and enjoys fishing, running, and golf in his free time. He has recently gotten into pickleball and tennis. Outside of this, he enjoys hanging out with friends and cooking.
Past members
Setareh Heidari - grad student
Taylor Sorell - undergrad student
Molly McNair - undergrad student
Jebril Toumi - intern student
Jacob Thornton - undergrad student
Jay Griggs - undergrad student
Fiona Gambin - intern student
Samantha Banas - intern student
Kevin Label - intern student
Colin Lainey - intern student
Eloise Khouzami - high school student
Shankar P. Kharal - postdoctoral associate
Tori McDermott - undergrad student
Clay Williams - undergrad student
Will Johnson - undergrad student
Bennett Milton - undergrad student
Ethan Wavra - undergraduate student
Isabella Perez - undergrad student
Gavin Johnson - undergrad student
Mari Miles Dempsey - undergrad student
Yunseo Ha - high school student
Carson Williams - undergrad student
Joshua Lake - undergrad student
Mason Miller - undergrad student
Evelyn Squires - undergrad student
Hadam Benachou - highschool teacher
Tori Phillips - graduate student
Ryan Duerr - undergraduate student
Huzaifa Imran - undergraduate student
Jeffe Clare Old - undergraduate student
Audrey Sealock
Undergraduate student
Audrey Sealock is a sophomore studying chemical engineering at Auburn University, with plans
to graduate in 2029. She is interested in biomedical research and pharmaceuticals, with hopes
to apply her chemical engineering background to develop new treatments and drug-delivery
methods. She loves problem solving and working hands-on to bring ideas to life, and she carries
this passion into everything she does.
​
She is from Great Falls, Virginia, which is around 30 minutes outside of Washington, DC.
Outside of the classroom, she enjoys playing volleyball and pickleball, watching movies, and
trying new food with friends.