Postdoctoral Associates
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
Lydia Conner
Major: Biological Sciences
Lydia was born in Colorado Springs, CO into a military family. Over the years, she has lived in five different states before her family landed in Kansas City, MO. She found her love for science in high school when she took courses in biology, anatomy, and chemistry. At Mizzou, she is majoring in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Medical Science & Human Biology. Throughout college, she has found a love for studying microbiology and immunology. In the future, she hopes to attend grad school to obtain her PhD in a related field. In her free time, she loves painting, cooking, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with her friends.
Jack Gaffney
Major: Chemistry
Jack was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois. He is a senior majoring in chemistry on the ACS track here at Mizzou and would like to get his PhD in pharmaceutical sciences after completing his undergrad. In the summer of 2023, he did research at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) through the REU there in material science, studying the anti-phase signals of hyperpolarized orthohydrogen produced in MOF-based catalysts when the catalysts were hyperpolarized via SABRE. He has been in the group since 2024, and in his free time, Jack likes to hang out and go on trips with friends and go to Mizzou football games!
Hunter Yager
Major: Biological Sciences, Minor: Chemistry
Hunter was born in Dayton, Ohio and moved to the small town of Monroe City, MO when he was just 1 year old. Hunter came to Mizzou in the fall of 2022 and plans to graduate Spring of 2026 with a BS in Biological sciences and a Minor in Chemistry. In the coming years, Hunter hopes to get into Medical School. In Hunter's spare time he enjoys exploring, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. His first love for science came from astronomy and physics and branched into biology during his senior year of high school.
Visiting Students
Thomas Rapley
Major: Chemistry
Home Institution: Heriot Watt University
Thomas grew up in Fort William, a small town in the Highland of Scotland. Whilst in High School he discovered a passion for science and particularly Chemistry. However, after leaving school he decided to join the merchant navy as an officer cadet and for three years travelled the world. After his time at sea, he decided to pursue his original passion and applied to Heriot-Watt University to study a Masters in Chemistry. During this time, he developed a keen interest in materials science and processes involving rare earth metals, and Thomas joins the Hutchins group to further his knowledge and experience working in a lab environment. In his spare time, Thomas enjoys being around nature, board games with friends and PC games with those back home.
The Hutchins Group is seeking motivated graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in working in the areas of organic, materials, and supramolecular chemistry!