Micah

Rhea is from Pune, India, and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi in 2023. This was followed by an MRes in Green Chemistry, Energy, and the Environment from Imperial College London in 2024, where their research focused on improving the sustainability of aprotic ionic liquid synthesis using life cycle assessment. Prior to joining Georgia Tech, Rhea worked at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) in New Delhi, conducting policy research on second-life and recycling strategies for decommissioned photovoltaic modules in India. Outside of work, Rhea enjoys art, theatre, creative writing, and visiting museums.

Yidong (Andrew) is a first year PhD student in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. He is currently working on a project about carbon management in the pulp and paper industry. He enjoys traveling and exploring new places.

Jakob grew up in Hamburg, Germany. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen University, Germany in 2025. In Aachen, he worked with Prof. Alexander Mitsos on production optimized biofuel design. During an exchange to Carnegie Mellon University he worked with Dr. Aditya Khair on the motion of self-propelled particles in liquids. He joined the Ziegler Group in 2025. In his free time, Jakob enjoys playing tennis and running.

Aidan Billings is a Ph.D. student in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering under Dr. Nazanin Bassiri-Gharb and Dr. Micah Ziegler, where he is currently working on novel technologies for waste management. Aidan graduated from the University of South Carolina Honors College with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BM in Violin Performance in 2025. While studying at USC, he worked under Dr. Kevin Huang and Dr. Shichen Sun on materials engineering projects including carbon capture and hydrogenation, solid oxide fuel cells, and aqueous zinc ion batteries as part of the Army Educational Outreach Program. Additionally, he received funding from the DAAD Rise Program to study energy modeling at HTW-Berlin under Max Brahms for the summer of 2024. Outside of the lab, Aidan served as an ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Research at USC and played in both student and professional orchestras throughout South Carolina. At Georgia Tech, Aidan is a member of the inaugural Stamps Fellowship Cohort, and looks forward to continue researching, advocating for research, and teaching young students about its benefits.