At the UGA New Materials Institute, we believe that a material’s useful end-of-life should be considered at the design stage and that Green Engineering principles should be part of this process.
Below are select in-depth interviews and video profiles on graduate and undergraduate students who are studying under faculty affiliated with the UGA New Materials Institute.
Student Profile: Shariful Islam Tushar
Shariful Islam Tushar is a PhD student studying development of sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics, textiles and materials. Tushar’s work includes designing and engineering bio-based soft materials, including films, aerogels, foams, hydrogels, and functional textiles.
Student Profile: Artem Sulimov
Artem Sulimov became interested in materials science as a teenager, once he realized it combined chemistry, physics, and engineering—his favorite subjects. Now Sulimov is pursuing a PhD in chemistry under the mentorship of Jason Locklin, PhD, the co-founder and director of the UGA New Materials Institute. As a member of the Locklin Group, Sulimov has learned to grow research concepts from laboratory experiments to scaled-up, real-world applications that can help manufacturers achieve sustainability goals.
Student Profile: Taylor Theobald
Taylor Theobald recently began her master’s degree program in mechanical engineering under the mentorship of Kenan Song, PhD, an associate professor in the UGA College of Engineering who is faculty member in the UGA New Materials Institute. Song’s Advanced Materials Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (AMAML), where Theobald conducts her research, focuses on creating advanced materials and manufacturing processes that are sustainable and renewable.
Student Profile: Adaeze Osakwe
Adaeze Osakwe is pursuing a PhD in chemistry under the mentorship of Jason Locklin, PhD, who is co-founder and director of the UGA New Materials Institute. (Dr. Locklin is also a professor and head of the Department of Chemistry in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, and is jointly appointed to the UGA College of Engineering.)
Student Profile: Ana Clara Caobianco
Ana Clara Caobianco recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in public health. During her time at UGA, she worked two years at the UGA New Materials Institute. She talked to us recently about her experiences working at the UGA NMI and how they may impact her future.
Student Profile: Jodie Stone
Jodie Stone graduated in 2025 from the University of Georgia with a double major in biology and music. Both programs are based the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. Her last academic year also marked Stone’s second stint working in the Industrial Microbiology Laboratory, under the direction of Dr. H. Travis Ichikawa, at the UGA New Materials Institute. The laboratory team focuses on sustainable production of biopolymers, including recovery and reuse of processed water. Stone talked to us about her experiences working at the UGA NMI and her future goals.
Student Profile: Tiffanie Torrey
Tiffanie Torrey is an undergraduate student who works in Industrial Microbiology Laboratory at the University of Georgia New Materials Institute, under the direction of Dr. H. Travis Ichikawa. Torrey is pursuing a double major in ecology, through the Odum School of Ecology, and plant biology, through the Department of Plant Biology in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. She plans to go into environmental consulting work following her graduation. Torrey recently spoke with us about her experiences working at the UGA New Materials Institute and how her experiences might impact her future.
Student Profile: Imrie Ross
Imrie Ross worked an undergraduate in a research laboratory at the University of Georgia New Materials Institute. She talked to us about her experiences working at the UGA New Materials Institute and their impact on her education and career goals.
