People

Research Scientists

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 fifth 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 fifth 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 fourth 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 third 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 third 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 third 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 third 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 third 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 second 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 second 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.


Olivia Jozaitis

Email: jozaitis@iastate.edu

Olivia is an undergraduate chemistry major and works with the Anand group as a research assistant! She is super excited to learn more about microfluidic devices, how they impact the world, and gain more experience in the field of chemistry. She is currently working on droplet-based microfluidics. Outside of chemistry, she is a dance teacher at Center Stage Dance Studio. She also loves hanging out with her friends, listening to music, and doing crafts!

Samantha Rosenthal

Email: sammie@iastate.edu

Sammie is an undergraduate student majoring in chemistry with a minor in biology. She is currently a research assistant within the Anand Group. She is interested in gaining experience in the chemistry field and learning new analytical techniques that can improve human health. In her free time, she can be found playing music in the marching and pep band, gaming, or spending time with friends and 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. Current position: Analytical Development Scientist at MilliporeSigma. Previously: 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. First position after Anand Lab: Biomedical Engineering Lab Specialist at ISU College of Engineering


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.