Group Alumni
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Michael LessliePh.D. 2017 “The NIU doctoral program in chemistry afforded me the opportunity to collaborate with multiple research groups, both internally and externally (often internationally), in order to complete multidisciplinary research projects. These experiences translate well into the pharmaceutical industry where multi‐group projects are now the norm. While at NIU I was able to author eight peer‐reviewed publications and present at six conferences. The technical writing and oral presentation skills I developed were crucial to attaining a position after graduation.” |
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Andrii PiatkivskyiPh.D. 2014 “When I joined the graduate program at NIU, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry was recognized as the most international department of the university. It was a great pleasure and amazing experience to study and work with talents from all over the globe. Mass spectrometry helped me to combine chemistry with my engineering background and analytical skills. Majority of my research was dedicated to a gas‐phase chemistry of amino acid‐based free radicals. Through these projects I had a chance to collaborate with research groups from Europe, Australia and Canada, present our work at international meetings and publish in peer‐reviewed journals. I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Ryzhov for his wisdom, patience and degree of freedom he provided for his students in the lab. After graduation I took a position in the contract bioanalytical lab and soon after was promoted to a Principal Investigator role. Thank you, NIU!” |
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Anthony FanizzaPh.D. 2024Senior Scientist Covestro LLC |
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Ekta MishraPh.D. 2013 “My experience at NIU and Ryzhov's group helped me to grow as an individual and professional. During my graduate program at NIU I got great support and guidance from my advisor and other faculty members for my graduate research/learning curriculum. I was heavily involved in undergraduate teaching, attending and presenting my research in several conferences/seminars, writing scientific research papers and working in collaboration with other research groups/scientists. These experiences trained me well to communicate and implement my ideas effectively and were pivotal to get a good carrier start in a highly demanding pharmaceutical industry.” |
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Sandra OsburnPh.D. 2013 “My experience at NIU taught me many things. My research mainly focused on radical ion chemistry in the gas phase. During the course of this research I was able to collaborate with several other groups outside of the University. While at NIU I attended multiple conferences where I presented my research and was co‐author on ten scientific publications. The skills I learned at NIU and from Victor Ryzhov were instrumental in furthering my career as a Mass Spectrometrist. ” |
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Yuriy PyatkivskyyPh.D. 2010 “Mass spectrometry has always been of great interest to me and while working on my dissertation I had opportunity to modify and maintain LC–MS hardware. That work [laid the] foundation of my current career. My graduate studies were essential for success in my current position, as I am involved in installation and repairs of most advance analytical instrumentation as well as constant interactions with a very diverse customer base. NIU has been a great place to learn and develop my skills, its faculty were always committed to helping students like me to succeed. The Department and my advisor have always been supportive and allowed me to present my research at numerous scientific conferences and meetings, which prepared me for professional presentations of my findings, led to great networking opportunities and allowed me to stay up‐to‐date with newest advancements in technology and science. Now I have a chance to utilize my skills and knowledge in my daily work with the latest mass spectrometry hardware and software.” |
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Michael ZickusPh.D. 2010 “I have always been analytically minded and enjoyed working hands‐on in the lab setting. At NIU, my passion for this, along with my analytical abilities, allowed me to work on various mass spectrometers, LC systems, and many other analytical instrumentation. I had minimal experience with publications and conferences but that experience grew exponentially under Dr. Ryzhov at NIU. The skills I learned allowed me to be one of the founding members of the PICO group at the Medical College of Wisconsin, which utilizes the skills of postdoctoral students to help developing biotechnology companies succeed. While in graduate school the network of classmates and professors that I established was vital to my future career, as I currently work as a senior chemist in an analytical lab with a classmate from NIU. If not for this connection, and NIU, I would not be in the position I am today.” |
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John LawlerB.S. 2016 Co‐author of five peer‐reviewed publications based on his undergraduate research in the group. “A key skill that all graduate students must learn is the ability to be self reliant. The NIU undergraduate program facilitated my becoming a better scientist by allowing me opportunities to make mistakes, learn, and grow. The smaller class sizes enabled a more hands‐on approach to experimentation, both in the classroom and during my undergraduate research experience. The graduate students and faculty were open to working closely with me and providing aid when needed. Undergraduate research opportunities are key to not only getting a better position after receiving a bachelors degree, but are important in figuring out what you want to do in your life. NIU’s excellent professors are ready and willing to take on undergraduate students and mold them into better, more productive scientists. ” |
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Heather RuizSummer REU 2017 Co‐author of a publication in Journal of Physical Chemistry based on her summer REU research at NIU |
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Kevin ParkerPh.D. 2022 |
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Allison Fabino CarrPh.D. 2019 |
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Elettra PiacentinoPh.D. 2019 |
