![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0348-1024x683.jpg)
Current Group Members
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Best_Poster.png)
Michael Best
Principal Investigator
Disclaimer: this picture is just for fun and should not be taken seriously
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_2897-1.jpg)
Jinchao Lou
Post-doctoral researcher
B.S. Northwest Normal University
Ph.D. University of Tennessee, Knoxville
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Mustafa_21sm.jpg)
Mayesha Mustafa
Graduate Student
B.S. University of Dhaka
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Brooke.jpg)
Brooke Smith
Graduate Student
B.S. University of North Georgia
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Kazi.jpg)
Kazi Shahriar
Graduate Student
B.S. University of Dhaka
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Kadiri.jpg)
Michael Kadiri
Graduate Student
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Annaleena.png)
Annaleena Hansen
Graduate Student
B.S. University of North Georgia
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Maraski.png)
Rob Maraski
Graduate Student
B.S. Berry College
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Mahbub-Ullah.png)
Mahbub Ullah
Graduate Student
B.S. University of Dhaka
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0419-scaled.jpg)
Vu (Lynn) Nguyen
Undergraduate Student
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0409-scaled.jpg)
Nathan Kaufman
Undergraduate Student
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0389-scaled.jpg)
Alex Robertson
Undergraduate Student
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0402-scaled.jpg)
Cameron Keeney
Undergraduate Student
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0362_2-scaled.jpg)
Caleb Russell
Undergraduate Student
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0384-1-scaled.jpg)
Nicolas Lane
Undergraduate Student
Honorary Group Members
Vincent Best (left), Jackson Best (right)
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/biscuit-best-772x1024.jpg)
Biscuit Best
B.S. in biting feet
![Butters Best](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/butters2.jpg)
Butters Best
B.S. in taking naps
Group Alumni
Ph.D. Graduates
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_28742.jpg)
Christelle Ancajas
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2023
B.S. Randolph-Macon College
Post-doctoral researcher, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Sagar_21sm.jpg)
Ruhani Sagar
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2023
B.S. and M.S. Panjab University
Post-doctoral researcher, University of California, Berkeley (Messersmith)
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Megan_21sm.jpg)
Megan Qualls
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2023
B.S. University of Tennessee, Knoxville
ReCode Therapeutics, Menlo Park, CA
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_2897-1.jpg)
Jinchao Lou
Post-doctoral researcher
B.S. Northwest Normal University
Ph.D. University of Tennessee, Knoxville
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/zhang.jpg)
Xiaoyu (Lucia) Zhang
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2019
![Adam Carr](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Carr20Adam.jpg)
Adam Carr
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2019
B.S. Virginia Tech
Post-doctoral researcher, UNC-Chapel Hill (Zhang)
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2013Sam.jpg)
Sam Mattern-Schain
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2018
Post-doctoral researcher, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine (Mountain)
![Tanei Ricks](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2013Tanei.jpg)
Tanei Ricks
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2017
Post-doctoral researcher at the University of Memphis (Brewster)
Faculty member at the University of Memphis
![Shahrina Alam](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2013Alam.jpg)
Shahrina Alam
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2016
B.S. University of Dhaka, M.S. Tennessee State University
Tennessee Department of Agriculture
![Stuart Whitehead](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2013Stu.jpg)
Stuart Whitehead
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2016
B.S. Purdue University
Naval Surface Warfare Center
![Andrew Bayer](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2013Andrew.jpg)
Andrew Bayer
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2014
R&D Chemistry, Avanti Polar Lipids, Inc.
![Heidi Bostic](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Heidi-1.jpg)
Heidi Bostic
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2012
Faculty member at Wofford College
![Meng Meng Rowland](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/meng202.jpg)
Meng (Chloe) Rowland
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2011
NIH Ruth Kirschstein post-doctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins Medical School (Stivers)
Faculty Position at University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Chilin.jpg)
Chi-Linh Do-Thanh
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2011
Post-doctoral researcher at the University of Tennessee (Dai)
Director of R&D, Silvis Materials
![Matt Smith](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Matt.jpg)
Matt Smith
Ph.D. in Chemistry 2009
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Dean of Natural Sciences at Walters State Community College
M.S. Graduates
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Kirby_21sm.jpg)
Justin Kirby
M.S. in Chemistry 2023
Graduate Student
B.S. Wofford College
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_2886.jpg)
Matthew Johnson
M.S. in Chemistry 2020
B.S. Utah Valley University
Southwestern Jefferson County Schools
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_2891.jpg)
Sara Barker
M.S. in Chemistry 2019
![Alexa J. Watson](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Marlow20Alexa.jpg)
Alexa J. Watson
M.S. in Chemistry 2019
B.S. Tennessee Wesleyan University
![Zhengsu Yu](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Yu20Zhengsu.jpg)
Zhengsu Yu
M.S. in Chemistry 2018
Graduate student at the University of Tokyo
![Yilin Wang](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Yilin20Wang.jpg)
Yilin Wang
M.S. in Chemistry 2012
Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of California at Irvine
Instructor at Orange Coast College
![Benjamin Smith](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Benjamin20Smith.jpg)
Benjamin Smith
M.S. in Chemistry 2013
Research scientist, Baxter Health Care, Arkansas
![Ritu Nandal](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ritu.jpg)
Ritu Nandal
M.S. in Chemistry 2010
![Ashdeep Kaur](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ashdeep202.jpg)
Ashdeep Rajpal
Graduate Student
M.S. in Chemistry 2010
Chattem Chemicals, Chattanooga, TN
Senior Medical Economics Analyst, Fallon Health
![Paul Petersen](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/paul202.jpg)
Paul Petersen
M.S. in Chemistry 2010
Eastman Chemical, Dallas, TX
Visolis, Inc.
![Manpreet Cheema](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/cheema.jpg)
Manpreet Cheema
M.S. in Chemistry 2009
Graduate student at the University of Tennessee Food Science and Technology
Product Development Manager, Starbucks
![Leah Cuthriell](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/leahc2.jpg)
Leah Cuthriell-Dawkins
M.S. in Chemistry 2009
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow 2006
Instructor of Chemistry, Wallace Community College
![Erin Losey](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/losey.jpg)
Erin Losey
M.S. in Chemistry Summer 2008
Galbraith Laboratories, Inc., Knoxville, TN
Y12 National Security Complex
Former Graduate Students
![Shawn Cureton](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Shawn20Cureton.jpg)
Shawn Cureton
Lead Salesforce Developer, CRM Passport
![Mary Coulter](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/kitty.jpg)
Mary Coulter
Former Postdoctoral Researchers
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2013Katherine.jpg)
Kathrin Tscherch
Senior Technologist at the J.M. Smucker Company
![Denghuang Gong](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/gong.jpg)
Denghuang Gong
Ph.D., Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2004
Shijiazhuang Pharm Group R&D Center, Shijiazhuang, China
Undergraduate Researchers
REU Students
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1651286619418.jpg)
Emily Jaremba
2022 REU Student from Saginaw Valley State University
Graduate Student at Vanderbilt University
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Sydney_outside_sm.jpg)
Sydney Bottcher
2021 REU Student from Samford University
Graduate Student in Chemistry at California Institute of Technology
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bolatito1.jpg)
Bolatito Babatunde
2019 REU Student from UNC-Chapel Hill
Business Analyst at Kearney
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shelby.jpg)
Shelby Hill
2017 REU Student from Wofford College
Graduate Student at the University of Southern California
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/cynthia.jpg)
Cynthia Bunders
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow 2007
B.S. Iowa State University
Ph.D. in Chemistry, NC State University
The Coca-Cola Company
Former Tennessee Undergraduates
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MacyHeadshot2.jpg)
Macy Hudson
Undergraduate Student
Graduate Student in Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/hannah.jpg)
Hannah Hagewood
Undergraduate Student
Medical Student, Indiana University
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/omar.jpg)
Omar Budayr
Undergraduate Student
Graduate Student in Biological & Biomedical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_2903-1.jpg)
Ryan Fisher
Undergraduate Student
![](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_20190308_162419_edited.webp)
Cameron Workman
Undergraduate Student
Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Long)
Eastman Chemical, Inc.
![Andrew Mikhael](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Mikhael20Andrew.jpg)
Andrew Mikhael
Undergraduate Student
Medical Student at UT Health Science Center
![Nicholas Galan](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Galan20Nicholas.jpg)
Nicholas Galan
Undergraduate Student
Ph.D., University of Tennessee Knoxville (Brantley)
Post-doctoral Researcher, Oak Ridge National Lab
![Zach Austin](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2013Zach.jpg)
Zach Austin
Undergraduate Student
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Vanderbilt University
Post-doctoral researcher, Vanderbilt University
![Juan Quintero](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2013Juan.jpg)
Juan Quintero
Undergraduate Student
![TJ Yokley](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2013TJ.jpg)
TJ Yokley
Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Memphis
Post-doctoral researcher, The Ohio State University
Post-doctoral researcher, Vanderbilt University
![Alana Stein](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2013Alena.jpg)
Alana Stein
Undergraduate Student
Ph.D. in Sociology, UC-Davis
![Anna Walsh](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Anna_Walsh.jpg)
Anna Walsh
Undergraduate Student
B.S. in Chemistry May 2015
M.D. Student at University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine
![Barrett Thompson](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Barrett_Thompson20420of204.jpg)
Barrett Thompson
Undergraduate Student
B.S. in Chemistry May 2015
M.D. Student at University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine
![Lacy Cardwell](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/lacy.jpg)
Lacy Cardwell
Undergraduate Student
B.S. in Chemistry May 2008
Dental Student at University of Tennessee Health Science Center, School of Dentistry
![Brad Grimes](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/grimes.jpg)
Brad Grimes
B.S. in Chemistry May 2006
![Elizabeth Jacobs](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ejacobs.jpg)
Elizabeth Jacobs
Undergraduate Student
Graduate student at University of East Anglia (UK)
![Andew Mabe](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/andrewm.jpg)
Andew Mabe
Undergraduate Student
Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
![Amy Pollard](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/pollard.jpg)
Amy Pollard
2006 UT Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
B.S. in Chemistry, May 2007
Ph.D. in Chemistry, LSU
American Radiation Services
![John Prenshaw](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/pren.jpg)
John Prenshaw
Undergraduate Student
MD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Opthalmologist, White Eye Associates
![Justin Reno](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/reno.jpg)
Justin Reno
Undergraduate Student
2006 UT Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
2007 Pfizer Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
B.S. in Chemistry May 2008
M.D., East Tennessee State University School of Medicine
![Amanda Sobhani](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/sobhani.jpg)
Amanda Sobhani
Farragut High School Student
![Tyler Tantisook](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/tyler.jpg)
Tyler Tantisook
Undergraduate Student
M.D., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
![Chinenye Usoh](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Usoh.jpg)
Chinenye Usoh
B.S. in Chemistry, May 2007
M.D. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Medical Doctor, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
![Brittany Wallen](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/brittney.jpg)
Brittany Wallen
Pfizer Global Research Intern, Madrid, Spain
Undergraduate Student
PharmD, Touro College of Pharmacy
![Tim Weatherall](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Tim.jpg)
Tim Weatherall
Undergraduate Student
B.S. in Chemistry May 2008
M.D. East Tennessee State University School of Medicine
![Tim Wesley](https://best.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T2.jpg)
Tim Wesley
Undergraduate Student
B.S. in Chemistry May 2008
Medical Student at East Tennessee State University School of Medicine
Year | Name | Home Institution | Current Position |
2011 | Jordan Ross | Samford University | Medical School at University of Tennessee Health Science Center |
2011 | Neelam Khanal | Columbia College | Chemistry graduate student at Indiana University |
2012 | Kevin Robb | Truman State University | Chemistry graduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne |
2014 | Pilar Orozco | Newman University | |
2015 | Laney Browder | Western Carolina University | |
2015 | Jake O’Leary | Birmingham Southern College | Chemistry graduate student at Columbia University |
2016 | Alexia Thomas | Jackson State University | |
2017 | Shelby Hill | Clemson University |