Postdoctoral Associates
Delbert Botes
B.S. (Chemistry), 2015
Ph.D. (Chemistry), 2020
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Delbert was born in Los Angeles, CA. His parents were South African diplomats and he moved to South Africa when he was four after they finished their overseas term. He grew up in Pretoria and then moved to Johannesburg when he started his undergraduate studies in 2012. He completed his BSc and BSc Honors degrees at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg. He then continued with a PhD in Structural Chemistry studying Diels-Alder reactions in co-crystals comprised of 1,4-dithiintetracarboxydiimides and anthracenes. His interests lie in Organic, Physical and Solid-State Chemistry and he is keen to explore pharmaceutical co-crystals. Delbert is a dual citizen of America and South Africa and has always wanted to return to the USA to pursue a scientific career. He joined the Hutchins Group in December 2022 as our first Postdoc. In his free time, Delbert is an avid Geocacher, hiker and runner.
Graduate Students
Gary George
B.S. (Chemistry), 2016
M.S. (Chemistry), 2019
Texas A&M University, Commerce
Gary was born and raised in a small town called Charles City, in the northeast area of Iowa. It was here that he developed a love for corn and bacon (because that is all that was around). At the age of 14, Gary and his family moved the northeast Texas, where he finished high school, and then started his higher education at Paris Junior College. After his 2 years at the junior college, he attended Texas A&M Commerce, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemistry. Gary has a deep love for chemistry, so he decided to attend Texas Tech for a PhD in chemistry. When not studying, teaching labs, or working in the research lab, Gary likes to play electric guitar, which he started learning at the age of 15. He also loves basketball, bowling, heavy metal, and video games. Oh, he also has the coolest pet ever, a ball python!
Liulei (Jerry) Ma
B.S. (Chemistry), 2014
Yangzhou University
M.S. (Fine Chemical), 2017
East China University of Science and Technology
Liulei (Jerry) was raised in a small village just outside of Shanghai, China. After undergraduate studies at Yangzhou University, Liulei pursued a graduate degree (Master) at East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai. During his stay in Shanghai, he obtained the ability to design experiments based on literature and tackle unexpected obstacles with interdisciplinary collaboration. These experiences will help him to do research in polymers and crystal engineering. In his spare time, Liulei likes to play basketball with his friends.
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
Ali Bajramovic
Major: Chemistry, Minor: Business
Ali was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but raised in St. Louis, MO. While in high school, this great opportunity opened up and I was able to finish my last two years at St. Louis Community College and earned my Associates Degree in Science General STEM Transfer Studies. Currently, I am a junior at Mizzou and should earn Bachelors Degree in Chemistry with a business minor in December of 2024. Ali hope to pursue a PhD in Chemistry, but is still undecided between organic and analytical track at this time. After successfully completing a graduate degree, Ali hopes to either teach or work as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry. Ali likes to stay active in their fraternity through leadership positions and participate in philanthropy events. Ali also enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Jack Gaffney
Major: Chemistry
Jack was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois. He is a sophomore majoring in chemistry on the ACS track here at Mizzou and would like to get his master’s in chemistry 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 hopes to work in the field of forensics, pharmaceuticals, or nuclear chemistry after completing his education. In his free time, Jack likes to hang out and go on trips with friends and go to Mizzou football games!
High School Students
Gauri Mehta
Rock Bridge High School
Gauri was born in New York, and raised in Columbia, MO. She loves all things reading, especially fantasy books, as well as painting. Currently a Rock Bridge High School student, Gauri’s involvement in the research world stems from her childhood. Growing up, she often went to her mother’s lab, watching experimental processes and performing basic lab tasks, instilling a fascination for all things science and research. Throughout high school, Gauri has developed an interest in chemical engineering, and is currently in the process of applying to colleges. She hopes to pursue further research experiences as an undergraduate chemical engineering major, as well as a PhD post-graduation.
The Hutchins Group is seeking motivated graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in working in the areas of organic, materials, and supramolecular chemistry!