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.
Aaron Bouchard
Chemistry Ph.D. Graduate Student
Hi, I’m Aaron. I am from Plattsburgh, New York and I have a Bachelor's degree in chemistry from Saint Michael’s College where I was captain of the varsity Men’s Swimming and Diving team. During my undergraduate years I gained research experience in various extraction techniques at the forefront of environmental monitoring. Additionally, I developed skills in multiple analytical instruments such as GC-MS and ICP-OES for the quantification of pollutants and characterization of inorganic catalyst efficiency. I have a strong interest in analytical chemistry, and I hope to apply my devotion to the natural sciences to resolve some of the current challenges faced by neurochemical analysis with electrochemical detection methods. Outside of the lab I enjoy reading comics, watching movies, drawing, and various aquatic activities ranging from swimming to kayaking and paddle boarding.
Jill Corbit
Undergraduate Student
Hi! My name is Jill Corbit and I’m from Southern New Hampshire. I’m a senior undergraduate student majoring in neuroscience with hopes of pursuing a graduate degree in the field. I’m super interested in synaptic communication, particularly what modulates neuronal signaling in specific neurotransmitter systems, as well as gut-brain interactions and their roles in neurodevelopment and related disorders. I absolutely love working in the lab and collaborating with others, and in my free time I like to relax with a good book, go on walks, or spend time with my family and friends!
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.
Luke Williams
Undergraduate Student
Hi! My name is Luke Williams, and I’m from Connecticut. I’m a junior at UVM studying Biochemistry with a minor in Pharmacology on a pre-Dental track. I’m particularly interested in exploring both the clinical and environmental applications of our molecularly imprinted electrodes. Outside of academics, I enjoy exploring Vermont—fall hikes in the woods, hitting the slopes in the winter, and spending time on the lake in the summer.