Postdoctoral Associates
Aloka A. Marasinghe
B.Sc. (Honors in Chemistry), 2019
University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Ph.D. (Chemistry), 2026
Kansas State University
Aloka grew up in Sri Lanka before moving to the United States to pursue her PhD in chemistry at Kansas State University, where she focused on supramolecular, solid-state chemistry, particularly studying how structural motifs influence co-crystal formation and material properties. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Missouri, Columbia, where her research focuses on improving the properties of pharmaceutical solids and exploring the use of mechanochemistry in synthesis and crystallization. Outside the lab, she enjoys exploring new coffee spots and restaurants, traveling, watching K-dramas, and spending time with friends and family.
Dinindu Mendis
B.Sc. (Computational Chemistry), 2018
University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Ph.D. (Chemistry), 2026
University of Cincinnati
Dinindu grew up in the southern region of Sri Lanka before moving to the capital to pursue his undergraduate degree at the University of Colombo in 2015. He then earned his PhD in Cincinnati, OH, where he specialized in advanced spectroscopy techniques through photomechanistic studies of organic azides and azirines in both solution and solid states. His research on gas-releasing photodynamic crystals has inspired his ongoing interest in materials science. Outside the lab, Dinindu enjoys playing pickleball, hiking, and watching football.
Graduate Students
Md. Mehedi Hasan Babu
BSc (Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering), 2015
University of Dhaka
MSc (Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering), 2017
University of Dhaka
MSc (Chemistry), 2025
Virginia Tech
Mehedi was born and raised in Bangladesh, where his interest in science and materials chemistry first developed. He completed his undergraduate and master’s studies in Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering at the University of Dhaka before beginning his academic career at Gopalganj Science and Technology University. After earning his M.S. in Chemistry from Virginia Tech, where he worked on Rheo-NMR studies of polyelectrolytes, he joined the University of Missouri to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry. His current research focuses on crown ether-based polymers for rare earth element extraction and separation. Outside the lab, Mehedi enjoys cooking, sleeping, and spending quiet time in nature while observing the outdoors.
Jane Eilers
B.S. (Chemistry), 2024
Kansas State University
Jane was born in Denver, CO and moved to St. Charles, MO when she was 4. As she grew up there, she found a love of science in her middle and high school courses. After graduating high school, she moved to Manhattan, KS to attend Kansas State University where she obtained a B.S. in chemistry. During her time engaging in undergraduate research, she was inspired to continue her education by pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Missouri. In her spare time, Jane likes to bake, read, play with her cats, and hang out with her boyfriend.
Bowyn Ziebarth
B.S. (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology / Chemistry), 2023
Missouri Western State University
Bowyn was born in Springfield, Missouri, and raised in Ozark, just south of there. It was here where his interest in math and science was cultivated, eventually leading to him pursuing a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology at Missouri Western State University. Along the way, he added a second major in chemistry, and after graduation, found himself wanting to pursue a Ph. D. in chemistry at the University of Missouri. When not actively pursuing his research, Bowyn enjoys baking, playing card games with friends, or woodworking.
If you are interested in the graduate program in Chemistry at the University of Missouri, we encourage you to apply to the program.
Undergraduate Students
Jack Crouch
Major: Biology
Jack grew up in the Kansas City Metro Area. His childhood enjoyment of nature grew into a love of learning about the physical world, biology, and zoology. He hopes to use his passion for science to help others and is currently on a pre-med track aiming to become a Med-Peds Physician (internal medicine and pediatrics). In his free time, Jack enjoys art, birding, and rock climbing.
Amali Noel Ramesh
Major: Biology
Amali is a freshman at the University of Missouri majoring in Biology. She grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, before moving to Missouri in 2018. She is interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy and is excited to gain research experience and learn more about chemistry and materials science. Outside of academics, she enjoys playing tennis, crocheting, thrifting, reading, and exploring new places and cafés.
The Hutchins Group is seeking motivated graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in working in the areas of organic, materials, and supramolecular chemistry!