GSAG Members

Jack Lawton

Co-president

I’m originally from Wales (UK), I moved to Atlanta in the Summer of 2023 to begin my PhD in the group of Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena. My research focuses on the scalable processing of semiconductors for optoelectronic applications. In my spare time, I enjoy playing football (soccer), watching a wide variety of sports, and experiencing Atlanta nightlife. You can also often find me at local estate sales, finding new trinkets for my apartment

Hari Sridhara

Co-president

Email: hsridhara6@gatech.edu

I grew up in the Chicago suburbs before doing my undergrad at USC in Los Angeles. I work in Matt McDowell’s research group investigating solid-state batteries with an emphasis on analyzing internal cell dynamics using x-ray computed tomography. Beyond research, I’ve been playing Ultimate Frisbee for 10+ years and have recently gotten into bouldering. I love the food scene in Atlanta and am a big fan of trying new spots when I can!

Isabella Stepanek

Recruitment

Email: istepanek3@gatech.edu

I am originally from Sarasota, Florida and moved to Boston for my undergrad where I got my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University. Now, I am pursuing my PhD in Materials Science in the Vogel lab where I work on synthesizing and characterizing MAX-phase materials for use as hydrogen permeation barriers inside nuclear reactors. Outside of research, I enjoy playing golf and I currently play on the GT club golf team. I also enjoy quilting, watching F1, and playing video games!

Amanda Conde Del Moral

Recruitment

Email: amoral3@gatech.edu

I’m from Puerto Rico and did my B.S. in Chemistry at UPR Río Piedras. Now I work in the Correa Baena Lab, where I focus on advanced characterization of lead halide perovskites for solar energy applications. When I’m not in the lab, I’m out for drinks with friends, dancing salsa, or in my kitchen trying (and sometimes failing) to keep a sourdough starter alive.

Connor Davel

TA System

Email: cdavel3@gatech.edu

I’ve lived in Texas and Colorado, and I completed my undergrad at the University of Colorado at Boulder. I work under Prof. Nazanin Bassiri-Gharb and Prof. Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena on the electromechanical characterization of materials and the design of next-generation photovoltaics. Outside of research, you might see me in the practice rooms in the student center playing guitar with friends or out on a stroll around Piedmont Park.

Danae Chipoco Haro

Core courses

Email: dharo3@gatech.edu

I am originally from Lima (Peru) and I am pursuing my PhD in Dr. Marta C. Hatzell’s Lab, co-advised by Dr. Faisal M. Alamgir. I work in electrocatalysis for waste to value-added products conversion. Outside of research, I enjoy martial arts!

Jude Kpare

Community Events

Email: jkpare3@gatech.edu

Jude is a 1st year PhD student in MSE under the supervision of Dr. Natalie Stingelin. His research focuses on understanding the factors controlling charge and matter transport processes in π-conjugated polymer materials for organic solar cell applications. Outside research, Jude enjoys playing the piano, volunteering for social impact causes, playing video games, and watching his favorite teams: Barcelona and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Andrew Johnson

Stipend

Email: ajohnson757@gatech.edu

I grew up in Virginia and got my B.S in Physics from Virginia Tech. I worked in a government lab for a year and then came back to school to pursue my PhD. I work with Dr. Thadhani studying shape memory alloys, specifically how to maximize their work during phase transformations at specific temperatures. When I am not studying or in the lab, I enjoy playing ultimate in piedmont park or practicing aviation.

Vanessa Chen

Stipend and TA team

Email: vchen63@gatech.edu

I grew up in Southern California and attended UCLA, where I graduated with a B.S. in Materials Engineering in 2025. At UCLA, I worked in a bio-inspired materials lab where I synthesized polymeric materials through novel 3D-printing techniques and characterized their mechanical properties. I am advised by Professor Meilin Liu and work on synthesis methods for reversible solid oxide cells. I enjoy whittling, painting, gaming, and going on (light) hikes when I’m not working in lab.