Group Members

Anna Österholm

Anna was born in Missouri and raised mainly in southern Finland and for awhile southern California. She received her PhD in Analytical Chemistry with a focus on conjugated polymer electrochemistry in 2011 from Åbo Akademi University in Finland. Anna is currently a senior research scientist in the Reynolds group and leads the research efforts in the areas of charge storage, electrochromism, and polymer electrochemistry. She loves cooking and everything food related, and enjoys traveling the world (especially by train) in search of new foods and other weird experiences.

Eric Shen

Eric received his B.A. in English from Rice and then went on to pursue a Ph.D. in polymer chemistry at the University of Florida, graduating in 2011. After 1.5 years at Georgia Tech as a research engineer, he joined BASF in Germany as a postdoctoral researcher in organic electronics. Eric then returned to Georgia Tech and the Reynolds group where he is currently working as a research scientist focusing on electrochromic materials and devices.

Spencer Gilman

Spencer grew up near Minneapolis, Minnesota. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from St. Cloud State University in 2018. After completing his undergraduate studies, he pursued his Ph.D. at North Dakota State University under the guidance of Dr. Seth Rasmussen. His dissertation focused on the synthesis and characterization of conjugated materials for near-infrared emitters and photodetectors. Following his doctoral studies, he joined the Reynolds group as a postdoctoral fellow in 2024. In his free time, he enjoys reading and rock climbing.

Justine Wagner

Justine was born in Prien Am Chiemsee, Germany, and immigrated to the United States at a young age – primarily growing up between Colorado Springs and the Denver/Aurora area. In 2015, he received her dual B.A. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Afterwards, she pursued a Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University under the supervision of Professor Howard Katz. Her dissertation focused on designing and functionalizing poly-alkylthiophenes as vapor response sensors and as active sensing layers for biosensing applications. In her spare time she enjoys hanging with family/friends, outdoor adventures, exploring local cuisines, volunteering at nonprofit organizations, and curling up with a good book.

Ariane Charland-Martin

Ariane was born in Repentigny, Québec, Canada, where she grew up speaking French as her first language. She moved to the United States right before high school and, in 2023, she graduated with her B.S. in Chemistry from Kennesaw State University. She joined the Reynolds Research Group in Spring 2024 and plans to attend Ga Tech as a Ph.D. student in Fall 2024. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with friends and family and crocheting.

Josh Rinehart

Josh was born in York, Pennsylvania. In the spring of 2019, he graduated with his B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Penn State University, studying single-ion conducting polymers under the advisement of Dr. Robert Hickey and Dr. Ralph Colby. He joined the Reynolds group in the fall of 2019 and plans to study the thermal and electronic properties of conjugated polymers for thermoelectric applications.

Emily Ryan

Emily joined the Reynolds group in Fall 2021 as a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering. Before joining GT, she completed her B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2015 working in Dr. Niels Holten-Andersen’s lab on bio-inspired materials systems. She then spent 5 years working for Ford Motor Company as a research engineer on a variety of materials engineering projects including topics in additive manufacturing, adhesives, and laser welding. She plans to work on developing and characterizing conductive thermoplastic composite materials utilizing carbon-based nanofillers for space-oriented applications.

Zayaan Azfar

Zayaan is from Marietta, Georgia and is currently a double major, pursuing a B.S in Chemistry as well as Materials Science and Engineering. He joined the Reynolds group in Fall 2022 and plans to graduate in Spring 2026. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing golf, baking, and going to concerts.

Alex Cordovado

Alex Cordovado is from Norcross, Georgia and is currently working towards a BS in Chemistry at Georgia Tech. He joined the Reynolds group in Spring 2023 and is scheduled to graduate in Spring 2026. In his free time, Alex enjoys playing the piano, weightlifting, and building computers.

Callie Goins

Callie was born and raised in Woodstock Georgia, and graduated in spring of 2024 with a BS in Chemistry with a concentration in Polymers & Materials at Georgia Tech. She will be joining the chemistry graduate program at Northwestern in the fall of 2024. In her free time, she enjoys figure skating and exploring new places with friends and family.

Penelope Hicks

Penny (She/Her) is a third-year student pursuing a B.Sc. in Chemistry with a minor in Quantum Sciences and Technology. She joined the group in May 2024 and is passionate about molecular physics and physical electrochemistry. In her free time, Penny enjoys cooking, playing bass, and reading about the history of culture, societal injustice and reform.

Divya Iyer

Divya grew up in Apex, North Carolina. She is currently working towards a BS in Materials Science and Engineering and a Minor in Linguistics. She joined the Reynolds group in Summer 2022 and expects to graduate in Spring 2025. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and is involved with the MILL (Materials Innovation Learning Laboratory) on campus.

Lucas Orthous

Lucas is from Roswell, Georgia and is a former freshman Chemistry major at Georgia Tech – practically a child! He chose to major in Chemistry due to his life-long passion for the TV show Sid the Science Kid, which he still watches daily today. He joined the Reynolds group in Summer 2024 and is scheduled to graduate in 2027. Some of his current hobbies include being Callie Goins’ biggest fan, eating carrot cake, walking his pet tarantula, Oliver, and pointing a long pointy stick at people.