People
Beatrise Berzina
Email: bberzina@iastate.edu
Beatrise received her M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry (Honors) from the University of Latvia and PhD (2020) in Analytical Chemistry from Iowa State University. She developed microfluidic devices with out-of-plane ion selective features for electrokinetic enrichment and separation of charged and uncharged species. Then, as a Postdoctoral researcher, she worked at the Max Bergmann Center for Biomaterials (Dresden, Germany) on point-of-care device development for the detection of various viral pathogens. As a Research Scientist at Iowa State University, Beatrise is working on advancing label-free electrochemical sensors and electrokinetic saltwater purification systems. During her free time, Beatrise enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and attending theater and musicals.
Graduate Students
Aparna Krishnamurthy
Email: aparnak@iastate.edu
Aparna received her B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry and Master’s in Chemistry from Gargi College, University of Delhi, India. She is a fourth-year graduate student at the Anand group. Her research focuses on electrokinetically manipulating the contents within nanoliter-scale water-in-oil droplets for bioanalytical applications. Aparna loves everything related to music, instruments (including scientific instruments) and art.
Umesha Peramune
Email: peramune@iastate.edu
Umesha is a fourth year graduate student in the Anand group. She received her B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Her research interests include bioanalytical chemistry based on ion concentration polarization
Thilini Rathnaweera
Email: thilinir@iastate.edu
Thilini Rathnaweera received her B.Sc. (special) degree in Chemistry from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. She is a third year graduate student. Her research interests are bioanalytical chemistry and development of microfluidic devices for single-cell analysis. Her hobbies include singing, traveling, cooking, and baking.
Tianyi Zhang
Email: ztianyi@iastate.edu
Tianyi Zhang received her B.S. in chemistry from Shandong University in China. She is a second year graduate student in the Anand group majored in Analytical Chemistry. Tianyi enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with family and friends in her free time.
Ethan Leung
Email: eleung@iastate.edu
Ethan received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He is a second year graduate student. His work in the Anand group involves exploiting favorable features of electropolymerizable materials for the production of platforms that can be used to solve pressing analytical challenges related to human health. In his free time, Ethan enjoys swimming, playing instruments, and experiencing new places and activities.
Ben Schelske
Email: bschelsk@iastate.edu
Ben received his B.A. in chemistry from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in 2021. He is a second year graduate student interested in single-cell analysis. Ben enjoys solving puzzles, rollerblading, and learning new hobbies.
Sanduni Devasinghe
Email: sandunid@iastate.edu
Sanduni received her B.Sc. (Honors) degree in Chemistry from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. She is a second year graduate student. Her research interests focus on bioanalytical Chemistry. Sanduni enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Md Ruhul Amin
Email: ruhul41@iastate.edu
Ruhul received his B. Sc and M.S in Chemistry from Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. He is a second year graduate student at Iowa State University and has a passion for analytical chemistry. Ruhul enjoys traveling, swimming, and spending time with his friends.
Zisun Ahmed
Email: zisun@iastate.edu
Zisun Ahmed is an electrical and electronic engineering graduate from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, with two master’s degrees in biomedical physics and technology from the University of Dhaka and bioengineering from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He is a first-year graduate student at ISU and will be delving into the study of ion concentration polarization and its potential applications. Zisun, in his free time, loves chasing down random animals with his son and taking pictures of his family.
Brittany Ginnaty
Email: bginnaty@iastate.edu
Brittany received her B.A. degree in Chemistry from Concordia College, Moorhead MN in 2021. She is a first year graduate student whose research interests include bioanalytical chemistry and single cell analysis. Brittany enjoys working with her hands, playing video games, and spending time with her family and friends.
Undergraduate Students
Zhenwei Wang
Email: wzw333@iastate.edu
Zhenwei is an undergraduate student majoring in chemistry with a minor in biological chemistry. He is working with LFA and exploring how we could enhance the sensitivity in microfluidics system. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, photographing and spending time with family.
Alumni
Min Matthiesen (Li) graduated in December 2018. Current position: Technology Development (TD) Engineer at Intel. Previously: Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Utah under supervision of Prof. Shelley Minteer.
Beatrise Berzina graduated in August 2020. First position after Anand Lab: Postdocoral Research Fellow at Technische Universität Dresden.
Sungu Kim graduated in March 2021. First position after Anand Lab: Postdocoral Researcher at Stanford University under supervision of Prof. Sindy Tang.
Joseph Banovetz graduated in July 2022. First position after Anand Lab: Research Scientist at Nanoaffix in Wauwatosa, WI.
Kira Rahn graduated in July 2022. First position after Anand Lab: Postdocoral Researcher at Colorado State University under supervision of Prof. Charles Henry.
Yara Aceta completed her postdoc in August 2022. First position after Anand Lab: Senior Researcher and Product Manager at Bioherent in Malaga, Spain.
Echo Claus graduated in October 2022. First position after Anand Lab: Laboratory Technician for the City of Moline.
Morgan Clark graduated in November 2022. First position after Anand Lab: Graduate Student in Chemistry Education under the supervision of Prof. Tom Holmes.
Janis Borchers graduated in November 2022.
Han Chen graduated in February 2023. First position after Anand Lab: Research Scientist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in New York.
Darshna Pagariya graduated in April 2023. First position after Anand Lab: Senior Scientist at AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Sommer Osman graduated in August 2023. First position after Anand Lab: Patent Examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia.