postdoctoral researcher
Hao Tan
(he/him)
Postdoctoral Researcher, (joined September 2025)
Ph.D. Chemistry, Texas A&M University, 2025 (with Prof. David Powers)
Undergraduate research, UCLA (with Prof. Ohyun Kwon)
B.S. Chemistry, Nankai University (with Prof. Zhengjie He )
Hao Tan obtained his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at Nankai University in 2019, where he studied phosphine organocatalysis. Before graduate school, Hao worked as a visiting undergraduate with Prof. Ohyun Kwon at UCLA, where he synthesized chiral phosphine for kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols via stereoselective Mitsunobu reactions. He then joined Prof. Powers lab at Texas A&M University, where his research focused on nitrogen group transfer chemistry using N-aminopyridinium salts. After receiving a PhD degree in 2025, he has joined Dr. Alvarez Pari group as a postdoctoral researcher to develop novel synthetic methods.
Hobbies:
Archery
Favorite chemist:
Contact:zfu2kc@virginia.edu
Undergraduate Student
Pietro Ciliberto
(he/him)
Undergraduate Student, (joined August 2025)
Undergraduate research, TU Dortmund (with Prof. Dieter Vogt)
B.S. Chemistry (class of 2028)
University of Virginia
Pietro is a second year University of Virginia undergraduate from Charlottesville majoring in chemistry. In summer 2025, he spent two months at TU Dortmund working within the Vogt group, and currently he’s in the Alvarez Pari lab. He’s interested in organic chemistry and catalysis, curious about materials science, but still has much to experience.
Hobbies:
Hiking, climbing, reading the news, books, long drives and soccer (hacky sack).
Favorite chemist:
Contact: gqt8qz@virginia.edu
Graduate Student
Maggie Seidel
(she/her)
Graduate Student, (joined December 2025)
B.S. Biochemistry, American University (with Prof. Monika Konaklieva)
Maggie Seidel obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at American University in 2024, where she studied small molecule modulators of lipoprotein lipase under Dr. Monika Konaklieva. In the fall of 2024, she joined the University of Virginia to begin her PhD. She joined the Alvarez-Pari lab in fall of 2025.
Hobbies:
Crafting, reading, and taking her dog, Lola, on walks!
Favorite chemist:
Contact:mgs9pb@virginia.edu
Undergraduate Student
Kaitlyn is a second year undergraduate student at the University of Virginia majoring in Chemistry. She is interested in organic synthesis and while this is her first time participating in any research opportunity, she is eager to learn more!
Hobbies:
Reading, coloring, tennis, and video games!
Favorite chemist:
Contact: rnw6ut@virginia.edu
Undergraduate Student
Birch Magill
(they/them)
Undergraduate Student, (joined January 2026)
B.S. Chemistry and B. A. Mathematics (Class of 2028)
University of Virginia
Birch Magill is a second year undergraduate student at the University of Virginia from Farmville, Virginia. They are pursuing degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics and have recently joined the Alvarez Pari Lab to pursue their interests in organic synthesis and catalysis. Birch is now serving as a teaching assistant for CHEM 1820 under the supervision of Dr. Laura Serbulea.
Hobbies:
Piano, cooking, weightlifting, hiking, and film!
Favorite chemist:
Contact:vqr8vm@virginia.edu
Undergraduate Student
Peilin Liu is a third year undergraduate student at the University of Virginia majoring in Biochemistry. He is interested in organic synthesis and organometallic chemistry. His strong interest in organometallic chemistry led him to take the Inorganic Chemistry course taught by Prof. Charles Machan.
Hobbies:
Music, piano, japanese literature.
Favorite chemist:
Contact: bfr7rt@virginia.edu
Undergraduate Student
Tessa Bogart
(she/her)
Undergraduate Student, (joined January 2026)
B.S. Chemistry (class of 2029)
University of Virginia
Tessa Bogart is a first year undergraduate student at the University of Virginia majoring in Chemistry. While this is her first time participating in research, she is excited to explore new organic synthesis and organic electrochemistry strategies, and gain experience!
Hobbies:
Spending time outside, reading, and playing softball!
Favorite chemist:
Contact:paz2ru@virginia.edu
Graduate Student
Postdoctoral Researchers
Hao Tan
(he/him)
Postdoctoral Researcher, (joining September 2025)
Ph.D. Chemistry, Texas A&M University, 2025 (with Prof. David Powers)
Undergraduate research, UCLA (with Prof. Ohyun Kwon)
B.S. Chemistry, Nankai University (with Prof. Zhengjie He )
Hao Tan obtained his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at Nankai University in 2019, where he studied phosphine organocatalysis. Before graduate school, Hao worked as a visiting undergraduate with Prof. Ohyun Kwon at UCLA, where he synthesized chiral phosphine for kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols via stereoselective Mitsunobu reactions. He then joined Prof. Powers lab at Texas A&M University, where his research focused on nitrogen group transfer chemistry using N-aminopyridinium salts. After receiving a PhD degree in 2025, he has joined Dr. Alvarez Pari group as a postdoctoral researcher to develop novel synthetic methods.
Hobbies: Archery
Favorite chemist: Robert W. Bunsen
Contact: zfu2kc@virginia.edu
Undergraduate Student
Pietro Ciliberto
(he/him)
Undergraduate Student, (joined August 2025)
Undergraduate research, TU Dortmund (with Prof. Dieter Vogt)
B.S. Chemistry (class of 2028)
University of Virginia
Pietro is a second year University of Virginia undergraduate from Charlottesville majoring in chemistry. In summer 2025, he spent two months at TU Dortmund working within the Vogt group, and currently he’s in the Alvarez Pari lab. He’s interested in organic chemistry and catalysis, curious about materials science, but still has much to experience.
Hobbies:
Hiking, climbing, reading the news, books, long drives and soccer (hacky sack).
Favorite chemist:
Contact: gqt8qz@virginia.edu
Undergraduate Student
Kaitlyn is a second year undergraduate student at the University of Virginia majoring in Chemistry. She is interested in organic synthesis and while this is her first time participating in any research opportunity, she is eager to learn more!
Hobbies:
Reading, coloring, tennis, and video games!
Favorite chemist:
Contact: rnw6ut@virginia.edu
Graduate Student
Maggie Seidel
(she/her)
Graduate Student, (joined December 2025)
B.S. Biochemistry (with Prof. Monika Konaklieva)
American University
Maggie Seidel obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at American University in 2024, where she studied small molecule modulators of lipoprotein lipase under Dr. Monika Konaklieva. In the fall of 2024, she joined the University of Virginia to begin her PhD. She joined the Alvarez-Pari lab in fall of 2025.
Hobbies:
Crafting, reading, and taking her dog, Lola, on walks!
Favorite chemist:
Contact: mgs9pb@virginia.edu
Undergraduate Student
Birch Magill
(they/them)
Undergraduate Student, (joined January 2026)
B.S. Chemistry and B. A. Mathematics (Class of 2028)
University of Virgini
Birch Magill is a second year undergraduate student at the University of Virginia from Farmville, Virginia. They are pursuing degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics and have recently joined the Alvarez Pari Lab to pursue their interests in organic synthesis and catalysis. Birch is now serving as a teaching assistant for CHEM 1820 under the supervision of Dr. Laura Serbulea.
Hobbies:
Piano, cooking, weightlifting, hiking, and film!
Favorite chemist:
Contact: vqr8vm@virginia.edu
Undergraduate Student
Tessa Bogart
(she/her)
Undergraduate Student, (joined January 2026)
B.S. Chemistry (class of 2029)
University of Virginia
Tessa Bogart is a first year undergraduate student at the University of Virginia majoring in Chemistry. While this is her first time participating in research, she is excited to explore new organic synthesis and organic electrochemistry strategies, and gain experience!
Hobbies:
Spending time outside, reading, and playing softball!
Favorite chemist:
Contact: paz2ru@virginia.edu
Undergraduate Student
Peilin Liu
(he/him)
Undergraduate Student, (joined January 2026)
B.S. Biochemistry (class of 2027)
University of Virginia
Peilin Liu is a third year undergraduate student at the University of Virginia majoring in Biochemistry. He is interested in organic synthesis and organometallic chemistry. His strong interest in organometallic chemistry led him to take the Inorganic Chemistry course taught by Prof. Charles Machan.
Hobbies:
Music, piano, japanese literature.
Favorite chemist:
Contact: mgs9pb@virginia.edu