zarzar lab
Research Group in the Department of Chemistry at Penn State University
ABOUT
In the Zarzar Lab, we are excited about studying stimuli-responsive materials, understanding the behavior of active matter, and developing laser fabrication methods to synthesize and pattern both inorganic and organic materials. We encourage creative and enthusiastic students from diverse backgrounds to join our interdisciplinary team.
TEAM
Entertainment

Lauren Zarzar
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Lauren is an assistant professor of chemistry, courtesy appt in Dept. of Materials Sci. & Eng. and affiliate of the Materials Research Institute.
Entertainment

Shannon McGee
GRADUATE STUDENT, chemistry
Undergrad: Cedar Crest College. Degree: B.S. in Chemistry. Hometown: Macungie, PA
Entertainment

Nate Sturniolo
GRADUATE STUDENT, chemistry
Undergrad: Concord University B.S. in Chemistry, minor in Math Hometown: Bluefield, WV. "If you know the birds and the stars then you'll never be bored!"
Entertainment

Summer Brown
UNDERGRAD, mechanical eng.
Hometown: West Chester, PA. Hobbies: cooking, pencil drawing, roller/ice hockey
Entertainment

Malak Rayes
GRADUATE STUDENT, chemistry
Undergrad: BS in Chemistry from Muhlenberg College Hometown: Ipswich, Massachusetts
Entertainment

Rebecca Balaj
GRADUATE STUDENT, chemistry
Undergrad: Columbia University. Degree: B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Hometown: New York, NY
Entertainment

Ciera Wentworth
GRADUATE STUDENT, chemistry
Undergrad: Univ. of Southern Maine. B.S. in Chemistry. Hometown: Pownal, Maine
Entertainment

Krista Hirsch
GRADUATE STUDENT, chemistry
Undergrad: St. John Fisher College, BS in chemistry
Grad: Cornell University, MS in chemical engineering
Hometown: Schenectady, NY
Entertainment

Sebastian Fras
Premedicine (PMM Program)
Hometown: Haverford, PA, Hobbies: Tennis, playing Bach, watching film classics.
Entertainment

Sarah Swope
UNDERGRAD, chemical engineering
Hometown: DuBois, PA
Entertainment

Caleb Meredith
GRADUATE STUDENT, MatSE
Undergrad: NC State. B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering. Hometown: Durham, NC
Entertainment

Nabila Nabi Nova
GRADUATE STUDENT, chemistry
Undergrad: University of Dhaka. B.S. in Chemistry. Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Entertainment

Samuel Birrer
GRADUATE STUDENT, chemistry
Undergrad: Rutgers University
Degree: B.A. in Chemistry
Hometown: Succasunna, NJ
Hobbies: history, collecting minerals
Entertainment

Lauren Dueñas
GRADUATE STUDENT, chemistry
Undergrad: Cal State LA, B.S. in Biochemistry. Hometown: Whittier, CA. Favorite ice cream: The Creamery’s Death by Chocolate
Entertainment

Alex Castonguay
GRADUATE STUDENT, chemistry
Undergrad: Binghamton University. B.S. Chemistry with Materials Emphasis, B.A. Music Hometown: Queensbury, NY
Entertainment

Wangyang Xue
GRADUATE STUDENT, chemistry
Undergrad: China Univeristy of Petroleum, B.S. in Chemistry. Hometown: Shandong, China. Hobby: Classical music, Detective fictions
Entertainment

Kueyoung Kim
UNDERGRAD, chemistry
Hometown: State College, PA
Entertainment

Binish Ashfaq
GRADUATE STUDENT, chemistry
Master's in Chemistry from LUMS, Lahore Pakistan
BS in Chemistry from BZU, Multan Pakistan