Meet the Team
Dr. Mohamad Al-Sheikhly
Team Mentor
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Dr. Al-Sheikhly is a professor in materials science at the University of Maryland. He leads research in Polymers, biomaterials, radiation engineering, nuclear engineering and environmental effects.
Stefanie Ritchie
Librarian
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Stephanie is the Liaison for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She supports the research of these areas of study and has experience in both the agricultural and academic fields.
Catherine Lewis
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Catherine is a student at the University of Maryland studying materials science engineering. She specializes in lab experiments and often leads the team to collect data in the lab.
Dr. Lorelis González López
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While a doctoral candidate under the guidance of Dr. Al-Sheikhly, Lorelis frequently helped the team in the lab. She recently graduated with her PhD in Materials Science Engineering from the University of Maryland.
Eleanor Grosvenor
Mentor Liaison
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Eleanor is a Materials Science and Engineering Major from Houston, TX. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to obtain a PhD. She is a Clark School Ambassador and a resident of the Spanish apartment in the Language House living and learning community. Through her work with Team Produce, she hopes to develop a sustainable alternative to current packaging solutions with the potential to reduce food and plastic waste.
Justin Hughes
Lab Technician
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Justin is a Materials Science and Engineering Major from Rockville, MD. Following graduation, he plans on attending graduate school to obtain a PhD. He is currently a Gems CONNECT Mentor and member of Engineers Without Borders. Through being part of Team Produce, he hopes to gain practical research experience while developing more sustainable packaging for food products.
Lily Ding
Financial Liaison
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Lilly is an Accounting and Information Systems Double Major from Bethesda, MD. She plans to obtain her CPA (Certified Public Accountant) upon graduation and also get an MBA. She is involved with innovo consulting program on campus and the FLOAT economics program. She is excited to learn new things different than what she is currently studying and research on food packaging and waste.
Sydney Whitaker
Web Liaison
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Sydney is a Nutrition and Food Science Major from Columbia, MD. She is planning to attend graduate school after graduation. Outside of school, she is a Certified Personal Trainer and is passionate about personal health. As a member of Team Produce, she is hoping to learn more about food packaging and materials science engineering.
Team Clerk
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Robert is a Materials Science and Engineering Major from Baltimore, MD. He would like to work in industry with biomaterials after graduation. While part of Team Produce, he wants to gain valuable team research experience and create more efficient and environmentally-friendly plastic packaging.
Robert Blanchard
Andrea Fox
Team Liaison
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Andrea is a Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Major from Ellicott City, MD. After graduation, she plans on continuing her education at the graduate level. On campus, she is currently active in Ballet Company M and Alpha Omega Epsilon, the engineering sorority. She hopes to be a part of novel advances in the food packaging industry and reduce hunger and waste.
Jon Brodsky
Jon is a Chemistry Major from Rockville, Maryland. After college he plans to either continue with his education at a graduate level or pursuing a career in education. With Team Produce, he plans to devolop research skills, and an ability problem solve complex problems inside and outside of the lab.
Olivia Mihok
Olivia is a biology and environmental science and technology double major from Baltimore, Maryland. After graduation from the University of Maryland, she plans on furthering her education at the graduate level. Outside of gemstone, she is a member of the sustainability committee within SGA. As a part of team Produce, Olivia hopes to gain practical research experience as well as work to create a more environmentally friendly and sustainable food packaging alternative.
Cade Stanfield
Cade is a Chemistry Major from Stevensville, MD. Upon graduating from the University of Maryland, he plans on continuing his education at the graduate level. Outside of class he plays bass in a band and is an executive member of the Chi Phi Fraternity. He is also is a ULA for BSCI170 and student leader for GEMS100. As a member of team PRODUCE he hopes to learn to create his own experiments in a laboratory and increase ability to analyze results.
Kristen Lee
Kristen Lee is a Neurobiology and Physiology Major from Ellicott City, Maryland. After college she plans on attending Medical School to pursue a career in medicine. With Team Produce, she hopes to develop valuable teamwork and research skills through designing a product to reduce both food and plastic waste.
Ananya Uniyal
Library Liaison
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Ananya Uniyal is a Mechanical Engineering major from Ellicott City, Maryland. After graduation, she plans to continue her education at the graduate level. As a member of Team Produce, she hopes to learn more about food packaging and create a more environmentally friendly and effective alternative.
Chris Acha
Chris is a Chemical/Biomolecular Engineering Major from Oxon Hill, MD. Upon graduation, he plans on obtaining a Chemistry Ph.D. for industry-based pharmacology. Outside of class, he works as a research assistant at the UMD Chemistry/Biochemistry department on Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions. As well as being a Student Leader for Gems 100 class and a student CONNECT mentor, Chris is part of the UMD Boxing Club and the National Society of Black Engineers. With Team PRODUCE, his goal is to produce a versatile plastic polymer with economic and environmental benefits in the hopes of overall improving food manufacturing.
Annie Hoy
Annie is a chemical engineering major from Gaithersburg, Maryland. She plans on attending graduate school after she graduates, and earning a Ph.D. She hopes to get a job at a lab where she can help improve the environment and make the world safer to live in. As a part of team PRODUCE, she hopes to improve on her research skills and come up with an improved version of something we all use every day. Her goal is to help reduce plastic consumption and make eating food more sustainable
Kalina Gibson
Kalina is an Environmental Science and Policy Major from Takoma Park, Maryland. On campus, she is actively involved with MaryPIRG and works mostly on their sustainability and voter registration campaigns. Kalina is excited to see the work that Team PRODUCE is able to achieve. Kalina’s post-undergraduate goal is to pursue a career in Environmental Economics.