Postdocs
Dr. Ignacio Migliaro
Ignacio holds an undergraduate degree in Chemistry with a specialization in physical chemistry, where they focused on geometry optimization algorithms and explored reaction mechanisms for Pt(0) oxidative addition. During their PhD, at University of North Texas, they investigated reaction mechanisms for Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLP), which ignited a passion for chemical space exploration. This passion led them to develop algorithms for studying FLP chemical space using machine learning. Currently, they are working on machine learning interatomic potentials, particularly their application in materials science, such as crystal structure prediction.
PhD students
Shehan Fernando (2nd year)
Shehan completed a BSc honours in Chemistry at University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. His undergraduate thesis was on municipal compost analysis, where a number of analytical methods were utilized for municipal compost quality determination. He is highly enthusiastic about theoretical chemistry and coding, so is in the process of learning more about them.
In the group he is studying the origins of chemical reactivity and catalysis using new electronic structure analysis techniques.
Shehan loves electronics, old motorcycles, old cars, and books. A hike would be nice but, no mountains in Texas : )
Priyanka Maharana (2nd year)
Priyanka completed her undergraduate degree in Chemistry in 2024 at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, India, where she specialized in organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis. Her master’s thesis presented a novel approach to synthesizing hydroxyl-functionalized γ-butyrolactones using a Ruthenium catalyst. Currently, Priyanka is a first-year Ph.D. student at UTD, conducting research with the Delaney group and Sterling group. Her
work focuses on exploring reaction intermediates and pathways through experimental investigations, contributing to a deeper understanding of catalytic mechanisms. Outside of her research, Priyanka enjoys baking, traveling, and listening to music.
Dev Dodiya (1st year)
Dev completed his combined BS + MS (Research) degree in chemistry in 2025 at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore where he specialized in computational chemistry. For his Bachelor’s Thesis, he worked on catalyst designing by integrating transition state modelling and statistical modelling approaches to enhance the stereoselectivity of a cycloaddition reaction. His Master’s Thesis focussed on mechanistic insights and selectivity origins in Pd-catalyzed ligand controlled cycloaddition reactions. Outside of academia he enjoys playing sports, hiking and exploring new cuisines.
Binitha Thattaparambil Biju (1st year)
Undergraduates & visiting students
Sofiya Berzhanskaya (Undergraduate, University of Toronto)
Ayushi Ahuja (Clark Scholar)
Honorary group members
Nellie
Nellie completed her training at Operation Kindness, where her first year project involved learning how to be a cat. She joined the group in October 2024, and is now working on climbing up curtains and jumping off high places. In her spare time, Nellie enjoys bird-watching and escaping.
Previous group members
Markus Weiss (Visiting scholar, now MS RWTH Aachen)
Aarush Kudariya (Welch Scholar, now RSI Fellow)
Previous group photos
2024 (L to R): Priyanka Maharana, Alistair Sterling, Markus Weiss, Ignacio Migliaro, Shehan Fernando