Meet the Board
Officers
President Harry Bishop
Harry is a senior born and raised in Gainesville, Florida. He’s studying biochemistry with a minor in physics. He got involved in chem club because of his TAs in 2047 and stayed for social network it built across students in his classes. He works in clinical research, nuclear policy, and at a food bank. Outside of school and work, Harry likes to run and hike.
Vice President Lily Carlson
Lily is a fourth-year chemistry major from Gainesville, Florida. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a career in the chemistry field. She loves reading, sewing, crocheting, matcha, and tending to her plants. Lily is passionate about her local community in Gainesville and working to educate children about science. Lily joined Chem Club in her freshman year after hearing about it in chemistry class and has become a dedicated member because of the wonderful people she met in the club.
Treasurer Jaden Browning
I am a junior chemistry student looking to go into pharmacology or toxicology. I love video games, reading, and watching Survivor. My favorite element is bismuth as it’s really pretty to have and look at.
Secretary Megan Edwards
Megan is a fourth year biochemistry major from Orlando, Florida. She loves board games, reading, concerts, and watching movies. Megan joined chemistry club during her freshman year to meet more people who are enthusiastic about chemistry and for the fun events!.
Outreach Director Kate Parr
Kate is a fourth-year Microbiology and Cell Science & Business Administration | Pre-Health Specialization dual major. In the future, she hopes to become a physician; she is particularly interested in dermatology, oncology, and pathology. Kate joined the Chemistry Club as a freshman because she thoroughly enjoyed AP Chemistry and the sciences more generally throughout middle and high school. Previously, she was honored to serve as Chemistry Club’s Community Coordinator for 2024-2025 school year and the Director of Outreach for the 2025-2026 school year. She is eager to expand her impact in her role as the Director of Outreach for another year and remains dedicated to cultivating children’s curiosity and creativity in STEM.
Community Outreach Coordinator Abir Bhushan
Abir Bhushan is from Lakeland, Florida, and is an undergraduate studying biochemistry in the class of 2029. He joined Chem Club initially because of Outreach because he wanted to share his passion for science, having spent much of his time in high school tutoring. The club also provided opportunities to get familiar with chemistry research, allowing him to get acquainted with the laboratories at the University. In his free time, Abir enjoys playing pickleball and volleyball, as well as spending time with friends playing card games and board games.
Classroom Outreach Coordinator Madeline Blesdoe
Madeleine Bledsoe is a fourth year Biochemistry Major from Gainesville, Florida. In the future, she plans on attending a Masters of Anesthesiology to become an Anesthesiologist Assistant. Madeleine joined Chemistry Club because of TAs in her freshmen year chemistry classes and has stayed because of the welcoming environment that aims to make chemistry fun. She had a great experience volunteering with the club’s outreach program last spring and is excited to be more involved this year.
Classroom Outreach Coordinator Meghan Bishop
Meghan is a 2nd year from Gainesville, Fl. She joined chem club so she could meet other people interested in chemistry. She loves to rock climb, walk, and work!
Historian Emily Figueredo
Emily is a third year Microbiology and Cell Science major minoring in Bioinformatics from West Palm Beach, Florida. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a career in Clinical Pharmacy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing, and playing gacha games. Emily joined Chem Club to connect with others who shared an interest in science and looks forward to being more involved in the community!
Technology Director Mara Mrruku
Mara is a second year Chemistry major from Orlando, Florida. She is interested in computational and physical chemistry research. In her free time, she likes drawing, knitting, reading, and playing video games. She joined Chem Club because of her amazing freshman year TAs, and it helped her connect with the chemistry community at UF.
Senior Advisor Caroline Casper
Caroline is a fourth 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.
Chairs
Chairs for fall 2026 TBA, Look out for chair applications soon!
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.
Faculty 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.