Alumni

Abbas Khambatti (EC ’25 + postbac ’26)

Member since fall 2023

Pronouns: he/him/his

I’m Abbas Khambatti, undergraduate student, Chemistry major, Philosophy Minor at Emory University. I grew up in Louisiana, and came to Emory to pursue an interest in protein modeling and conformational studies. I’m a huge fan of sci-fi and fantasy media.

Madeline (Maddie) Garcia (EC ’26)

Member since fall 2023

Pronouns: she/her

Hi! I’m Maddie and I’m originally from Kansas City, Kansas. I am currently pursuing a double major in biophysics and chemistry. I am interested in the physical modeling and properties of biomolecular structures with specific emphasis on DNA gene expression. Outside of academics, I enjoy finding new coffee shops around ATL, going to concerts or music festivals, and reading.

Lorenzo Layug (EC ’26)

Member since spring 2023

Pronouns: he/him

Hello! I’m Lorenzo and I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. I joined the Davis Lab because I really love applying my knowledge across the sciences to understand structure-function relationships in enzymes. If you see me outside of lab, I’m probably solving different kinds of Rubik’s cubes or hanging out with my friends at the Filipino Student Association.

Varun Karry (EC ’26)

Member since spring 2023

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hi, I’m Varun! Originally from Edison, NJ, I am currently studying Chemistry and Applied Mathematics. I have an interest in exploring the intersection of all the sciences and gaining a deeper understanding of how enzymes facilitate the reactions that they catalyze, particularly those with implications for medicine and drug development. When I’m not in the lab, you can find me singing in the Emory Concert Choir or performing with my a cappella group!

Vatsal Purohit

Member since Spring 2022

Pronouns: he/him/his

I grew up in Bangalore, India and moved to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Physics with a minor in Mathematics and Biology. During this time, I worked as an undergraduate researcher for Dr. Yulia Pushkar and assisted with projects specializing in time-resolved spectroscopic studies that elucidated the water-splitting reaction mechanism in the Photosystem II complex and several Ruthenium-based artificial catalysts. My undergraduate studies drew me to stick with biophysical research and I decided to stay back at Purdue to pursue my PhD in the Department of Biological Sciences through the Inter-Disciplinary Life Sciences program. During my PhD, I worked with Dr. Cynthia Stauffacher and my project was centered around developing and applying a pH-jump triggering approach to observe the reaction mechanism of bacterial HMG-CoA reductase using time-resolved crystallography. My research experiences have made me passionate about developing novel methods that build upon the current biophysical capabilities for studying enzymatic mechanisms, thus leading me to the research being pursued at the Davis lab. Besides science, I enjoy music, films, podcasts and reading.

Ryan Jones (EC ’26)

Member since spring 2024

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hey everyone! My name is Ryan Jones, and I am from Darien, Connecticut. I am an undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry, and I am on the pre-med track. I have an interest in the focus of biophysical chemistry, specifically in protein characterization and solving 3D structures. In my free time I can be found at the gym lifting weights, playing basketball, or spending time with my friends.

Emily Pacek (REU ’25)

Kirklin (Kirk) McWhorter (PhD 2025)

Now a postdoc in the Biegasiewicz lab at Emory

Pronouns: he/him/his

I was born and raised in Alabama and moved to Atlanta once graduate school started. At Auburn University, I graduated with a bachelor’s in biochemistry and a minor in philosophy. My undergraduate work included studying catalase-peroxidase, a heme-dependent enzyme, and my current work is focused on devising optimal time resolution for reaction monitoring in crystallized metalloenzymes. Besides science, I like to stay active in philosophy and novel reading, love singing, and when I can I love to play some video games.

Sahand Emamian (PhD 2025)

Member since Spring 2020

Pronouns: he/him/his

I am originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and I received my BS in Physics from Indiana University, Bloomington in 2016 (Go Hoosiers!), with minors in mathematics, chemistry, and linguistics. Originally a pre-med student, I made sure to have a good background in biology and chemistry. After college I spent time as a research intern and then a post-baccalaureate fellow at Lawrence-Berkeley National Laboratory, where I mainly focused on development of photocathodes for the Stanford Linear Accelerator. All of these experiences have culminated in a strong basis for the interdisciplinarity of the Davis Lab!

Stacey Jones (PhD 2025)

Technical advisor at the Thomas Horstemeyer Law Firm (Atlanta, GA)

Pronouns: he/him/his

I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. I migrated down to Atlanta for high school and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Chemistry from Georgia State University. My undergraduate research focused on investigating the mechanism of ubiquitin chain synthesis using unnatural amino acid incorporation. Some of my hobbies are video games and watching anime, as well as the occasional game of basketball.

Riddhi Jhunjhunwala (EC ’25)

Member since summer 2022

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hi everyone, my name is Riddhi and I am from New Delhi, India! I am an undergraduate student pursuing a double major in chemistry and economics on the pre-med track. I am interested in the biological applications of chemistry as long as the real-time visualization of biomolecules. I love drinking coffee, running, meeting new people, and eating Italian food 🙂

Kendra Ireland (PhD 2024)

Now a postdoc in the Moiseenkova-Bell lab at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Pronouns: she/her/hers

I was born and raised in a small town in Northern Maine and graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX with a B.S. in chemistry and a minor in biology. My undergraduate research focused on the synthesis and application of photocaged substrates for heme-dependent cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. My current work in the Davis lab involves the structural characterization of catalytically relevant heme enzyme intermediates, with a focus on systems important for regulating the human immune response. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy visiting local breweries, going on hikes, making/eating soup, crafting, and traveling!

Brandon Colella (SOAR ’24)

NC State University (c/o 2025)

Brandon worked with the Davis Lab as part of the LGS-SOAR program in Summer 2024.

Ken Dorazio (EC ’24)

Member since summer 2022

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hello! My name is Ken, and I am originally from Bedford, New York. I am an undergraduate student double majoring in Chemistry and Materials Science. I have a particular interest in how math, cs, and physics can be used to elucidate chemical structure and properties as a basis for understanding biology. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing & watching tennis, driving around ATL, traveling, and tinkering with & taking apart anything I can.

Tamra Blue (PhD 2023)

Assistant Professor Carleton College, Postdoc in the Booker Lab (PSU)

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hello! My name is Tamra Blue and I have a passion for teaching, learning, and researching chemistry.  I received my Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. My undergraduate research focused on the synthesis of CXCR4 inhibitors, which are directly involved in breast cancer cell metastasis. I joined Emory as a member of the Lutz lab where I systematically characterized a protein superfamily in order to discover industrially relevant biocatalyst. My work in the Davis lab involved the mechanistic determination and crystallization of a 4Fe-4S cluster containing family within the old yellow enzyme superfamily. When I’m not in the lab I am actively involved in my local NOBCChE Chapter helping to spread diversity, inclusion, and smiles to a field traditionally composed of the opposite 😊.

Joe Ambarian (EC ’23)

Member since Summer 2021

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hi! I am a Chemistry and Theater Studies double major, originally from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. I love studying how light interacts with matter—especially the physics that lets us visualize biomolecules up close. I am interested in pursuing graduate school for chemistry, with a particular focus on biophysics. Outside of lab, you can find me scouring Atlanta for vintage bookstores, humming Taylor Swift on public transportation, and watching Survivor with friends.

Andrea Mancia (EC ’24)

Summer 2021 – Spring 2022

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hello! My name is Andrea and I am from Newnan, GA. I am an undergraduate student majoring in chemistry with a minor in dance. I am interested in learning about the chemical, biological, and physical processes that keep our body functioning, and how they are all connected to each other. In my free time I like to explore new eateries, go on a run, watch some anime, or dance!

Evan Nie (EC ’24)

Member since summer 2022

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hi! My name is Evan. I grew up on the island of Oahu, HI, and am a chemistry major here at Emory. I love studying biochemistry and exploring the chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. After graduating, I am interested in attending dental school and becoming a dentist. My biggest hobby is photography, and I specialize in street and landscape photography. Besides, I like spending my free time hanging out with friends, eating great food,and listening to music.

Nithin Bagal (EC ’22)

Graduate student in the Dept. of Chemistry at Princeton University (Seyedsayamdost Lab)

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hello! I’m a chemistry major from McLean, VA. I enjoy reading and producing music in my free time, but I can also spend an entire day watching movies. I’m interested in using chemistry to understand the bigger picture in living organisms.

Cindy Amaya Lopez (EC ’22)

Employed at Epic Systems

Pronouns: she/her/hers

I am from Lawrenceville, GA. I have experienced the fall bonfires and the snow-like pollen due to growing up in Georgia. My free time is spent drinking coffee while reading for fun, exploring new coffee shops in Atlanta, and figure skating recreationally. Academically, I am interested in learning how the three major sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) interweave to explain the world around us.

Sina Djafari Rouhani (EC ’22)

Biomedical Post-baccalaureate Scholar at the Broad Institute (Hung Lab)

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hello! My name is Sina. I was born in Tehran, Iran, but grew up in El Paso, TX. I am an undergraduate student in the Class of 2022 double-majoring in chemistry and applied mathematics. What intrigues me most about chemistry is that it is a connecting science in that it joins together physics and mathematics, biology and medicine, and the earth and environmental sciences. I want to pursue research in the field of chemistry to better understand these connecting principles. Apart from chemistry, I am a passionate Chelsea FC fan, so I spend most of my weekends watching soccer.

Eray Schulz (EC ’21)

Postdoc at Eli Lilly (starting Summer 2026)

PhD in Chemistry at IUPUI (2026)

I was born in Izmir, Turkey, and grew up in Malaysia. My father is German and my mother is Turkish, but I identify as both. Some hobbies I have include playing golf, running and video games.