The Ganesan Group
Venkat Ganesan, Ph.D.
Kenneth A. Kobe Professor in Chemical Engineering
CPE 3.414
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.S., Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
B.Tech., Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California at Santa Barbara
Postdoctoral Scholars
Zidan Zhang, Ph.D.
CPE 3.472
Joined: Dec. 2018
Ph.D., Material Physics and Chemistry, Tianjin University, China
M.S., Material Physics and Chemistry, Tianjin University, China
B.S., Material Physics and Chemistry, Tianjin University, China
Postdoctoral Researcher, KU Leuven, Belgium
Zidan has been working on the multiscale simulation of the polymeric ionic liquid electrolytes. He uses a combination of quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, coarse-graining, reactive coarse-grained molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo methods. The adaptive resolution method and transferable force fields are the bridges to link all the methods together so he can move from the fine to coarse scales and vice versa.
Harnoor Singh Sachar, Ph.D.
CPE 3.472
Joined: Jun. 2021
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland – College Park
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland – College Park
B.E., (Hons.) Mechanical Engineering, BITS Pilani – K.K. Birla Goa Campus, India
Harnoor’s research interests span the fields of polymer physics and computational soft matter. During his PhD., he utilized theoretical techniques and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to study the structure and dynamics of polyelectrolyte brushes. As a postdoctoral fellow at UT Austin, Harnoor is currently investigating water and ion transport in polymer membranes using a multiscale modeling approach.
Graduate Students
Tyler “TJ” Duncan
CPE 3.468
Joined: Nov. 2020
B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Kansas
TJ is pursuing research interests in artificial water channels for ion selectivity using Molecular Dynamics simulations. In his spare time, TJ studies music through the cello and the guitar.
Nico Marioni
CPE 3.468
Joined: Nov. 2020, coadvised by Prof. Benny Freeman
B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Houston
Nico’s research is focused on studying ion diffusion through polymer membranes for water purification applications. Nico is a PC enthusiast and gamer and enjoys hanging out with friends in his free time.
Meron Tadesse
CPE 3.468
Joined: Nov. 2021
B.S., Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Meron’s current research interest is focused on studying zwitterionic polymers membranes for non-traditional water purification. She also enjoys exploring the city of Austin through its beautiful scenery and amazing cuisine options.
Paul Irving
CPE 3.468
Joined: Nov. 2021, coadvised by Prof. Benny Freeman
B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Rochester
Paul is interested in selective ion transport and partitioning in polymer membranes. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis and attending UT sporting events.
Kazuya Morishita
CPE 3.468
Joined: Nov. 2023
M.S., Science and Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University
B.S., Science and Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University
Kazuya’s current research is focused on studying ion diffusion through zwitterionic copolymer membranes for water purification by using Molecular Dynamics simulations. In his spare time, he likes to eat something delicious.