Kerui “Kerry” Xu
Chair
Email: keruixu2@illinois.edu
Area: Analytical Chemistry
Wellness Advice: Remember that self-care is a non-negotiable part of your schedule. It can be a walk, a shower, a snack break, a nap, a therapy session, a call with family/friends, anything that gives you some time away from stress.
Hannah King
Secretary
Email: hjking4@illinois.edu
Area: Chemical Biology
Wellness Advice: Bring plants (fake or real) into your office! Even if you have an office with no windows (like I do), you can purchase a plant light and make the space a little happier.
Henry Jetmore
Treasurer
Email: jetmore2@illinois.edu
Area: Analytical Chemistry
Wellness Advice: Deep breaths are simple and effective for taking a mental break. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, take a couple of seconds to breathe deeply.
Lakshmy Ajayakumar
Physical Chemistry Representative
Email: lpa3@illinois.edu
Area: Physical Chemistry
Wellness Advice: Experiments can fail, and timelines may change, and that is okay. Being patient and showing up consistently can take you much further than burning yourself out.
Abigail Gardiner
Analytical Chemistry Representative
Email: aeg12@illinois.edu
Area: Analytical Chemistry
Wellness Advice: Always have something planned that you can look forward to!
Ashutosh Sharma
Inorganic Chemistry Representative
Email: as238@illinois.edu
Area: Inorganic Chemistry
Wellness Advice: Always make time for your hobbies and the things that bring you joy.
Julia Koldobskiy
Materials Chemistry Representative
Email: juliak6@illinois.edu
Area: Materials Chemistry
Wellness Advice: To spend time in nature! There are many beautiful parks and forest preserves in the Champaign area.
Kinshuk Malik
Chemical Biology Representative
Email: kinshuk4@illinois.edu
Area: Chemical Biology
Wellness Advice: Stop comparing yourself with others. Everyone has a different background working on a different project, so your journey will naturally look different. Never underestimate your abilities and never hesitate to ask for help or ask questions; after all, we are here to learn. And try to find a silver lining in your PhD life because you are a human being first before a scientist.
Andrew Norris
Chemistry Joint Safety Team (JST) Representative
Email: anorris5@illinois.edu
Area: Inorganic Chemistry
Wellness Advice: Find a hobby. You can change it as much as you want, but have something to help you decompress.
Satirtha “Saha” Protya
Younger Chemists Committee (YCC) Representative
Email: ssprotya@illinois.edu
Area: Analytical Chemistry
Wellness Advice: Ask for help. People are often more than willing to help, but you have to take the first step and ask. You don’t have to face everything on your own.
Omkar Chaudhari
International Chemists Association (ICA) Representative
Email: ogc3@illinois.edu
Area: Physical Chemistry
Wellness Advice: Find a hobby where you can be a beginner and don’t need to track progress.
Jennifer Salaiza
Women Chemists Committee (WCC) Representative
Email: salaiza3@illinois.edu
Area: Analytical Chemistry
Wellness Advice:
Autumn Cook
Out in Chemistry (OiC) Representative
Email: autumnc3@illinois.edu
Area: Physical Chemistry
Wellness Advice: Grad school is really hard. Research isn’t linear, nor is progress. Take the wins as they come, even the small ones. Despite it being a “marathon,” grad school is a team sport: your friends and peers are invaluable. If you’re having fun with your lab mates, the science just comes naturally!