Our Team
Yangguang Ou
Principal Investigator
I am an assistant professor who joined the Department of Chemistry at UVM in Fall 2020 and am also a faculty member in the Neuroscience Graduate Program and the Vermont Center for Cardiovascular and Brain Health Pipeline Investigator Program. My background and interests span a broad range of analytical techniques, from separation science to electrochemical sensing. I plan to leverage these expertise to develop new sensing technologies for environmental and neuroscience applications and for creating clinical diagnostic tools. In my spare time, I like to travel, explore new restaurants, and do Pure Barre. Even though I grew up in Florida and am used to beaches, I cannot wait to take to the hills and explore the beauty that is Vermont!
Uma Nudurupati
Chemistry Ph.D Graduate Student
Hi, I’m Uma! I am from Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. I have an undergraduate in Chemical Sciences from the University of Hyderabad, India, with research experience in physical chemistry and crystal engineering. I recently graduated with an MS from UMass Amherst, where I studied aggregation and association of structural proteins via light scattering. I am interested in developing biosensors for varied clinical applications. Outside of the lab, I enjoy writing, reading, crocheting, and playing board games.
Toheeb Adegoke
Chemistry Ph.D Graduate Student
Hi, I am Toheeb. I’m from Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University Ibadan, with some research experience in Analytical Chemistry. I will be modifying electrodes for environmental sensing in the Ou Group. I’m specifically interested in building electrodes for selective and sensitive measurement of heavy metals.
Abigail O’Connor
Chemistry Ph.D. Graduate Student
Hi, I’m Abby! I am from Barrington New Hampshire. I have an undergraduate in Biochemistry from the University of Hartford, with research experience in bio organic chemistry and biochemistry. I have an interest in analytical chemistry and I am interested in building electrodes for clinical applications. Outside of lab I enjoy running, painting, and reading.
Bobby Kelly
Post-Bac Pre-med Student
Hi, my name is Bobby Kelly and I am currently a post-baccalaureate pre-medical student. I received my B.A. in psychological sciences here at UVM in the spring of 2023. I am interested in autism research with the aim of improving quality of life and improving accessibility, particularly in a healthcare setting. Outside of academics I enjoy playing guitar and playing with our cat Pandora.
Adam Davis
Undergraduate Student
Hi, I'm Adam. I'm originally from West Tennessee. While I'm currently a biochemistry major at UVM, I've already received a B.A. from St. John's College. There, I studied philosophy and the history of science and became interested in how we gain knowledge about things that we can't directly experience. This led to an interest in analytical chemistry which I'm excited to pursue further through my work in the Ou lab.
Bella Taylor
Undergraduate Student
Hi! My name's Bella and I'm from Memphis, Tennessee. I’m currently a sophomore majoring in biology with a minor in psychology. I am on the pre-med track and am particularly interested in the effects of health, such as one’s gut microbiome, on neurological function. I enjoy working out at the gym, playing with my adorable pets, and baking for my family and friends.
Jill Corbit
Undergraduate Student
Hi, my name is Jill and I’m from Southern New Hampshire. I’m currently a Junior studying neuroscience with a minor in psychological science. My main interests are neurodegenerative diseases and how neurochemistry affects behavior in different neurological conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In my free time, I enjoy traveling, being active, and reading.
Brian Pierce
Undergraduate Student
Hi! I’m Brian and I’m from here in Vermont about 2 hours south of UVM. I’m a sophomore here at UVM majoring in Biological Sciences and pursuing a minor in Emergency Medical Services. Back home, I practice as an Advanced EMT on a local ambulance service, and I wish to pursue med-school to specialize in emergency medicine with a focus on critical-care and prehospital practice. I like to enjoy the outdoors in my free time by skiing or hiking, and I enjoy my fair share of PC gaming as well!
Samantha Guenther
Undergraduate Student
Hi, my name is Samantha Guenther! I’m from Morgantown, WV.
I’m a sophomore pursuing a Biochemistry major at UVM. I’m also on the pre-med track. I’m interested in learning about how the biochemistry of our body contributes to our overall health. I’m particularly interested in exploring neurological disorders and their relationship to the chemistry of our gut microbiome. In my free time I enjoy hiking, running, traveling, and playing with my dogs.