President – Leah Kessler
Leah is a third year chemistry major minoring in physics from Davie, Florida. She currently does spectroscopy research and enjoys computational and physical chemistry. In her free time, Leah paints her nails, plays soccer, and plays piano. She joined Chem Club in her freshman year because of the outreach program and to meet other people who love chemistry!
Vice President – Bianca Lederfeind
Bianca is a fourth year microbiology and chemistry double major from São Paulo, Brazil. Outside of class she enjoys practicing her graphic design skills and beating the record for most movies watched in a month. She is very enthusiastic about Chem Club and is excited for this coming school year!
Treasurer – Cole Travers
Cole is a third year mathematics and finance double major from Davie, Florida. He loves following baseball and reading. Cole is planning on working in private equity or investment banking. He joined Chemistry Club to meet like-minded people and learn more about chemistry from others and has stayed for his love of the club and the great people.
Secretary – Mei Adcox
Mei is a fourth-year chemical engineering Major minoring in food science and mathematics from Pensacola, Florida. After graduation, Mei is looking to pursue a job in Research & Development in the food and beverage industry. Mei enjoys taking care of her expansive plant collection, listening to music and hanging out with friends in her free time. She joined the Chemistry Club to foster her love of Chemistry outside the classroom and stayed because of the wonderful people and club atmosphere.
Outreach Director – Kira Zautcke
Kira is a fourth year biochemistry and marine sciences double major from Fort Myers, FL. She plans to pursue a PhD to continue her research in marine biogeochemistry. Kira enjoys collecting shells, hiking, and having a nice cup of tea. She is passionate about outreach and hopes to someday run her own outreach programs as a professor. She joined Chemistry Club at the recommendation of her CHM2047 TA’s and continued for the great community and opportunities.
Community Outreach – Kate Parr
Kate is a second-year microbiology and cell science & business administration | pre-health specialization double major, minoring in Chemistry. In the future, she hopes to become a physician and eventually open her own practice; she is particularly interested in dermatology and oncology. Kate joined Chemistry Club because she really enjoyed AP Chemistry and the sciences more generally. An avid volunteer in high school, she was also excited to participate in the club’s outreach program. Volunteering with outreach made her aware of a fervent desire to cultivate children’s curiosity and creativity in STEM—an interest she hopes to further explore and nurture in others during her time on the board.
Classroom Outreach – Caroline Casper
Caroline is a third year biochemistry and behavioral & cognitive neuroscience double major from Boca Raton, FL. She loves reading, running, baking, going to theme parks, learning new skills, getting to know people deeply, and hanging out with her kitten. Caroline is active in the mental health space, volunteering with the Alachua County Crisis Center and mentoring, and involved in research on pain and aging. Caroline plans to pursue medical school and work somewhere in the intersection between mental illness and physical health concerns, focusing on the impact of nutrition. She joined Chemistry Club to learn more about science and volunteering opportunities, and got more involved because of the tight-knit community and love of outreach.
Historian – Erica Hengartner
Erica is a fourth year biochemistry major and plant molecular and cellular biology minor from Miami, FL. Following her graduation, she plans to pursue research in grad school combining her interests in biophysics, chemistry, and plants. Outside of school, Erica enjoys painting, hiking, and reading! She has been involved in Chem Club since the Fall of 2023 and loves it for its great sense of community and dedication to science education!
Technology Director – Gabriella Sprague
Gabi is a third year chemistry and computer science double major from Tampa, Florida. In her free time she loves to play tennis, read, and play video games. Gabi joined Chem Club as a freshman because of her friends and stayed for its fun atmosphere and amazing members.
Senior Advisor – Bella Cherin
Bella is a biochemistry major from Tarpon Springs, Florida. She is also completing the UF teach minor and hopes to teach high school chemistry in the future. After gradation Bella hopes to pursue a masters or PhD in chemistry education. Bella became involved with outreach in Fall of 2022 as outreach chair and now serves as senior advisor.
Chairs
Fundraising Chair – Matthew Tibi
Matthew is a biochemistry major and pathogenesis minor from Miami, Florida. He currently does research in microbiology and enjoys fluorescent microscopy. On his free time, he often plays club tennis, piano, and watches movies. Matthew plans on attending medical school where he can pursue a career involved with human aesthetics.
Outreach Chair – Kelly Feitel
Kelly Feitel is a third year biochemistry major on the premed track. She was born and raised in Panama City, FL. Kelly loves going to the beach, hiking, traveling, and playing sports (tennis and volleyball are her favorites).
In her free time, Kelly likes taking walks around campus, reading, and listening to music.
(That’s Tucker, her Grandpa’s very chubby lab, in the photo)
Outreach Chair – Morgan Clemens
Morgan is a third-year chemistry major and anthropology minor from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She hopes to pursue a career in forensic science and is currently participating in research with UF’s Veterinary Forensic Program. Morgan loves Disney, sitcoms, reading, collecting mugs, and painting her roommates nails for free. She became involved in Chem Club through the outreach program in Fall of 2023 and she is excited to continue being a part of this community!
Science Communication Chair – Payson Keown
Payson is a second-year biochemistry major from Winter Haven, FL. After college, he plans on pursuing a PhD in a chemistry-related field. In his free time, Payson likes to run, solve Rubik’s cubes, and listen to music. Payson’s interest in scientific communication comes from listening to his middle school science teacher, and he entered Chemistry Club because a TA from his first college chemistry class, CHM2047, recommended the club.
Community Chair – Abraham Daoud
Abe is a third-year Chemistry major and MD/PhD hopeful from Sarasota, Florida. He loves organic chemistry and does research in the field. He joined the Chemistry Club to meet others who have a similar passion for the subject. In his free time, he produces music on his computer, listens to music, and plays video games.
Social Chair – Nguyen Than Tri
Tri is a third-year Biochemistry major minoring in Physics from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He plans to pursue a career in dentistry. In his free time, Tri plays soccer, tennis, and watch movies. He joined Chemistry Club on the recommendations of his friends, and he has enjoyed the academic and social values of the club.
PR Chair – Chloe Martin
Chloe is a second year Biochemistry major. Outside of school she loves photography, listening to music, reading, and writing. After school she plans to be a pediatric oncologist and a writer. She joined Chem Club to meet people who share her love for chemistry and continues to be a part of it because of the great opportunities and amazing people.
Advisors
Faculty Advisor – Dr. Stefanie Habenicht
Dr. Stefanie Habenicht is an assistant instructional professor in the Chemistry Department at the University of Florida in the Organic Division. Dr. Habenicht received her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jenna, and was a Research Associate there before coming to UF. The courses she teaches include Organic Chemistry 1 and 2.
Outreach Advisor – Dr. Ashlyn Hale
Ashlyn Hale is an assistant instructional professor in the Chemistry Department at the University of Florida in the Inorganic Division. She received her Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Florida in 2021, then was a postdoctoral research scientist in the Molecular Magnetic Quantum Materials Center. Dr. Hale’s research has focused on synthesizing metal-oxide-based molecules as solutions to challenges in the fields of ultra-small nanoscience relevant to catalysis and various magnetic applications, such as quantum computing. She is passionate about teaching students both in the classroom and through other opportunities, such as STEM outreach and undergraduate research. Dr. Hale’s main goal is to impart a love of learning by encouraging students to ask the “why” questions, demystify science, and dissolve the scientist stereotypes.