People

Principal Investigator

R. Kōnane Bay

Professor Bay (email) is an Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at 񱦵. She was a Presidential Postdoctoral Research Fellow working with Professor Sujit Datta at Princeton University on investigating structure-property relationships of engineered living materials. She received her Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering working with Professor Alfred Crosby on quantifying the mechanical properties of ultrathin glassy polymer films. She received her B.S. in Materials Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2014. When not in the lab or the office, she is lifting, watching a show, solving a sudoku, or chilling with her cats, Jax and Koa.

Graduate Students

Samson Adelani

Samson Adelani (email) is a third year Ph.D. student in the Materials Science and Engineering Program. He did his undergraduate study in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria, where he studied the effect of pre-weld heat treatment on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of artificially aged 8011A aluminum alloy. Moreso, he previously worked with the Advanced Polymer Composite Lab at FUTA where his research focused on the use of agro-waste in the development of polymer composites for novel applications. His current research focuses on the 3D printing of Engineered Living Materials (ELMS). In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, bicycling, and playing saxophone. He also loves watching soccer games particularly (premier league) on weekends.

Image of Samson standing in front of shopping center in a purple shirt

Ava Crowley

Ava Crowley (email) is a third year PhD student in Chemical Engineering. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University where she studied electromagnetic heating and extrusion-based 3D printing of synthetic polymer nanocomposites. Her current research focuses on mechanical characterization of synthetic ultrathin polymer films. 

Picture of Ava standing in front of a white wall

Alyssa Libonatti

Alyssa Libonati (email) is a second year graduate student in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department. She received her B.S. in Biochemistry and B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from SUNY Binghamton. Her prior research experience includes work in photocatalysis and the toxicology of tattoo inks. Current research interests include engineered living materials (ELMs) and sustainable polymers, with a focus on determining the mechanical properties of these microbial-based materials. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys lifting weights, cooking, hiking, cycling, and learning about regenerative agriculture.

Image of Alyssa smiling

Olivia Pear

Olivia Pear (email) is a second year Ph.D. student in the Materials Science and Engineering Program. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UC Berkeley in 2017. Prior to becoming a graduate student, Olivia worked in industry designing and synthesizing biopolymer hydrogels to improve the material properties of sustainable food products. Outside of work, she enjoys running, cooking, and being a beginner in many sports (climbing, skiing, pickleball, to name a few).

Picture of Olivia smiling

Kiera Croland

Kiera Croland (email) is a third year Ph.D. student in the Chemical Engineering Department and an NSF GRFP fellow. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University in 2022. Kiera’s undergraduate research focused on the characterization of cell-material interactions between polymer-peptide hydrogels and human mesenchymal stem cells using Multiple Particle Tracking microrheology. Outside of her graduate studies, she enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with her cat, Archy. 

Picture of Kiera smiling and looking off into the distance

Undergraduate Students

Owen Sabolcik

Owen Sabolcik is a fourrth-year undergraduate student majoring in chemical engineering.  He is interested in creating a positive impact on the earth through research and engineering. Owen is currently focused on materials science, specifically polymers and renewable materials. Outside of academics, Owen is usually spending as much time as he can outdoors climbing, hiking, and fly fishing. He also enjoys playing volleyball in between classes.

Image of Owen smiling

Pets

Jax

Jax is a feline lab technician in Chemical and Biological Engineering. He has lived in three states in his lifetime. His research focuses on understanding the nature of cracks by directly laying inside of them.

He is a vocal advocate for an open door policy and has been heard crying at doors until change is enacted. His favorite pastimes are sleeping with a paw over his eyes, going on walks on his leash, and playing with his toy duck.

Image of Jax the Cat

Koa

Koa is a feline lab technician in Chemical and Biological Engineering. His current research focus is on how to play with his brother, Jax.

He loves to fall asleep on his humans. His favorite pastimes are sleeping, playing with his toys, and bouncing around the house.

Picture of a tabby cat, Koa sitting on top of a bookshelf

Archy

Archy is a feline lab technician in the Chemical Engineering Department. His current research focuses on discovering the best hiding spots in his new home and investigating methods to break into his treat bin. Outside of his studies, Archy enjoys drinking water straight from the faucet, using his voice to advocate for his needs (food and attention), and finding creative ways to enact sneak attacks.

A picture of a grey tabby looking up

Lab Alumni

  • Aidan Gustafson | Texas State | Sloan Scholar & SMART program undergraduate researcher  | Summer 2024
  • Taylor Donen | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Young Scholars Summer Research Program undergraduate researcher | Summer 2024
  • Lydia Flackett | 񱦵 undergraduate researcher | January 2023 – May 2024
  • Nicole Garza | 񱦵 UROP & DLA undergraduate student | January 2023 – May 2024
  • Teagan Kelly | 񱦵 UROP undergraduate student | January 2023 – September 2023
  • Carlos Ruiz Gonzalez | 񱦵 SPUR undergraduate student | Summer 2023