Pentzer Lab

Department of Chemistry

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH

Office: Mills 418C

Labs: Mills 423

PI: Emily Pentzer

Professor Emily Pentzer grew up in south central Indiana and earned her B.S. in chemistry at Butler University (Indianapolis, Indiana) in 2005 where she performed research with both Anne Wilson and Stacy O’Reilly in chemistry and Carmen Salsbury in biology (trapping squirrels- seriously). She then moved to Northwestern University where she received her PhD in organic chemistry in 2010 under the direction of Sonbinh Nguyen developing new monomers to prepare polyesters and polyamides by ROMP. From 2010-2013 Professor Pentzer worded as a postdoc with Todd Emrick in the Polymer Science and Engineering Department at UMass Amhers, preparing new materials and nanostructures for organic photovoltaics. Professor Pentzer began her independent career at Case Western Reserve University in the department of chemistry in July of 2013.

Post Doc: Brendan McGrail

Brendan McGrail, originally from McKeesport, PA is currently a postdoc in the Pentzer lab. He earned his B.S. in Polymer Science & Engineering here at CWRU in 2009 then worked in the Wetting, Coatings, and Surface Modification Group at W.L. Gore & Associates in Elkton, MD from 2009-2010. Brendan then returned to academics and obtained his PhD in Inorganice Chemistry at the University of Notre Dame in 2013. Brendan is currently working on the synthesis of functionalized platelets.

PhD Student: Rachael Matthews

Rachael Matthews is a native of Baltimore, MD and earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry at Morgan State University. After obtaining her PhD, Rachael plans on becoming a cosmetic chemist. She is currently working on the synthesis of small molecule dyes for controlled self assembly. Outside of lab, Rachael enjoys shopping and is learning to cook homemade dishes.

PhD Student: Brad Rodier

Masters Student: Peiran Wei

Peiran is working on his masters degree at CWRU, after earning his B.S. in chemistry at Wuhan Institute of Technology in China. He is originally from Wuhan, China and loves cooking (experimenting with food!), as well as art, music, and history. His is also very good at badminton- watch out! Peiran is currently working on the synthesis of polymers for organic thermoelectrics.

Masters Student: Yuanhui Xiang

Undergraduate: Jordan Swisher

Jordan, came to CWRU from Rochester, NY where he graduated from Pittsford Sutherland High School. Jordan plans to pursue his PhD in chemistry and is currently working on the synthesis of small molecule dyes. In his “spare time” Jordan plays varsity baseball and is a brother of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He also likes green bowties.

Undergraduate: Eric Mosher

Undergraduate: Emily Young

Emily is originally from Lancaster, Ohio and is currently a sophomore at CWRU, majoring in chemistry (BS). She plans on attending medical school or graduate school for chemistry after finishing her undergraduate degree. Emily is a member of the CWRU Women’s Basketball team and enjoys reading and playing guitar in her spare time.

Undergraduate: Spencer Burton

Spencer Burton, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, graduated Valedictorian from Amelia High School there. He is currently a first year undergraduate student, majoring in Macromolecular Science and Engineering and working with graphene functionalization. After a fruitful undergraduate career, he plans on working in the materials chemistry industry. Spencer is a regular volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club, and also enjoy drawing and oil painting as well as gaming.

Undergraduate: Arjun Gopinath

Arjun hails from Bangalore, India where he graduated in 2013 from the National Public School, Bangalore, India. As a member of CWRU Class of 2017, Arjun double majors in Chemistry (B.S.) and Medical Anthropology (B.A.). He is currently working on developing new monomers to access conjugated polymers and hopes to become a neurosurgeon, or just be broke. Outside of lab he enjoys playing racquetball, consuming food, and watching Netflix and Youtube, and is a horror movie buff.

Undergraduate: Edward Peng

After graduating from Munster High School in 2012 in Munster, Indiana, Edward started attending CWRU (expected graduation in 2016). Here, Edward majors in medical anthropology and minors in chemistry, while performing research on the synthesis and crystallization of small molecule dyes. After graduation, Edward plans to become a physician. Traveling and making music are among Eddie’s many hobbies!