Graduate

Kenneth grew up outside of Chicago, IL as the first of eight siblings and is now father and provider to a family of three. Kenneth received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from Brigham Young University in 2025 and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. Kenneth dreams of improving the technical and economic viability of sustainable power production and energy storage systems to the point where they can be utilized by communities everywhere.

Asa is a first year PhD student in the school of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. His current project focuses on clean and sustainable energy alternatives in the pulp and paper industry. His hobbies include CrossFit, video & board games, kickball, and baking.

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.