Our Group

Senior Research Scientist

PhD CSIR- National Institute of Oceanography at Goa University, India

p.parvatkar@northeastern.edu

Since getting his PhD from the CSIR- National Institute of Oceanography in Goa, India in 2011, Prakash has done a variety of research all over the world before landing here in the Manetsch Laboratory as a senior research scientist. His postdoctoral research has included exploration of MOFs and COFs at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, solid-phase peptide synthesis at Kyoto University in Japan, and even organic electrochemistry right here at Northeastern! Now that he is back in Boston, he is a part of many projects in the Manetsch laboratory, including natural product synthesis, photocatalysis, and medicinal chemistry.

Aside from doing chemistry in its many forms, Prakash would like to travel to at least one country in each of the seven continents. He also loves eating all kinds of ice cream, preferably while enjoying the view from a tall hilltop!

Temporary Research Associate

PhD Northeastern University

B.S. University of Rochester

kassu.m@northeastern.edu 

Though born in Awassa, Ethiopia, Minte was raised in the suburbs of Rochester, NY; he even stuck around to attend the University of Rochester. As an undergraduate Minte aspired to move on to pharmacy school, but after his exposure to introductory organic chemistry courses he had a change of heart and his pharmacy school aspirations quickly turned into aspirations of pursuing a research-based career in drug discovery. After receiving his B.S. in Molecular Genetics, Minte enrolled in the NIH sponsored Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at Virginia Tech. During his 12-month tenure, Minte conducted anticancer research where he primarily used solid-phase peptide synthesis to develop hetero-multivalent scaffolds. Minte’s work in the Manetsch Laboratory focuses on optimizing the fragment-based lead discovery strategy: Kinetic Target-Guided Synthesis.

Outside of lab, Minte spends his time exercising, spending time with close friends, and making Matt regret challenging him in Mario Kart

Temporary Research Associate

PhD Northeastern University

B.S., M.S. Wuhan University huang.lil@northeastern.edu

Lili comes to Northeastern from the Wuhan University (WHU) in China where she obtained her B.S. in Chemistry and her M.S. in Inorganic Chemistry. Lili completed her masters research under Dr. Jiangbin Xia, where she focused on the preparation and modification of conductive polymers and their application in electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells. Prior to her experience as a synthetic chemist, Lili gained chemical biology experience as a member of the laboratory of Dr. Xiang Zhou where she focused on nucleic acid related signal pathways based and ligand regulation. Lili’s work in the Manetsch Laboratory focuses on the synthesis of Anguidine macrolactone derivatives.
Lili enjoys traveling around the world visiting famous cities and landmarks. She is a very talented ballet dancer and model.  

Temporary Research Associate

PhD Northeastern University

B.S. University of New Haven

miller.bra@northeastern.edu 

Brandon hails from Goshen, New York; a suburban town known as the home to the oldest harness racing (the less exciting horse racing) track in the world. Brandon completed his Bachelors degree at the University of New Haven in Connecticut where he majored in Chemistry. His undergraduate research in the group of Dr. Pier Cirillo focused on the total synthesis efforts of Spiromastixone J, a deep-sea depsidone with Gram-positive antimicrobial activity. Brandon spent his summer before graduate school working for a small medicinal chemistry startup in Connecticut called Synovel Laboratory. His work in the Manestch Laboratory focuses on the synthesis of Streptothricin F Analogs and the synthesis of Cyclic Thiosulfinates. 

Brandon spends most of his time outside of lab putting off going to the gym. He enjoys playing soccer, and exploring the city of Boston. Brandon firmly believes that the New York Jets will win a super bowl in his lifetime. 

Doctoral Candidate

B.S. University of New Haven

wagner.ali@northeastern.edu 

Alicia attended the University of New Haven where she majored in Forensic Science with a minor in Chemistry. She became involved with organic chemistry research in her third year at the University of New Haven. In the group of Dr. Pier Cirillo, her primary research focus was synthesizing analogues of a marine natural product, Cadiolide B, which has shown potential as a promising solution to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Alicia’s work in the Manetsch Laboratory focuses on the optimization of 1,2,4-triazoles as antimalarial inhibitors, and optimization of the fragment-based affinity-selection lead discovery strategy, the Automated Ligand Identification System.

When not in the lab, Alicia likes to spend her time hiking, playing Animal Crossing, and playing with her cat, Pickles. Alicia is not known around the lab for her ability to reach items on the tall shelves.

Doctoral Candidate 

B.A. University of South Florida

marusyk.y@northeastern.edu 

Yuliya majored in Chemistry and minored in Astronomy (woah, cool) at the University of South Florida. There, she also worked in the lab of Dr. Nicholas Lawrence at the Moffitt Cancer Center Department of Drug Discovery. Her focus in the lab was the synthesis of small molecule ACK1 and JAK2 inhibitors. Yuliya’s work in the Manestch Laboratory focuses on the synthesis of Streptothricin F analogs.  Yuliya is among the labs well traveled! She was born in Ukraine and has lived in a handful of major US cities thus far: Denver, Tampa, and Boston. 

Outside of lab Yuliya enjoys sewing, ballet, traveling, cooking, and playing the piano. We have no idea how she has time to still be so fun outside of the lab, but she manages it well! 

Doctoral Candidate

B.A. Skidmore College diagne.k@northeastern.edu 

Khaly is a graduate of Skidmore College in New York where he majored in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry. There, he did water purification research where he designed and printed chips to filter soil particles from interstitial water under the supervision of Dr. Kimberly Frederick. During his time at Skidmore Khaly also completed a research fellowship at the Helmholtz Institute of Research in Germany with Dr. Anna K. H. Hirsch where he worked on the co-crystallization of protein complexes in the MEP pathway with implications on therapeutic development towards members of the ESKAPE pathogens. In the Manetsch Laboratory, Khaly works on the synthesis of quinolone (P4Q, THA and PEQ) analogs.  

Khaly is a native of Senegal (the 2021 Africa Cup of Nation Champions) and is a huge fan of Liverpool F.C. Khaly himself is an avid soccer player; he claims to be able to “bend it like Beckham” but the jury is still out on that one! Khaly also enjoys playing chess. 

Doctoral Candidate

B.S. Hanover College trombley.r@northeastern.edu 

Roger majored in Chemistry at Hanover College where he spent most of his time hard at work in the library. Throughout his time here, Roger was able to partake in a few, minor research experiences and was always very attentive and joyous in his laboratory coursework. Roger’s work in the Manetsch Laboratory focuses on the optimization of 1,2,4-triazoles as antimalarial inhibitors.  

Outside of the lab, Roger enjoys playing tennis, watching sci-fi shows, and hiking. Roger is the lab’s designed “hat guy” whether it be a baseball cap, a beanie, or one of those cool umbrella hats, there’s a good chance Roger has one in his closet! 

 PhD Student

B.S. Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)

husain.ar@northeastern.edu

Arif joins us all the way from Pakistan, where he got his degree in chemistry (with a concentration in drug and organic synthesis) from Lahore University of Management Sciences. During his time at university, he worked on numerous synthetic projects, including using click-chemistry to make benzothiophene-based anticancer molecules, as well as the stereoselective, asymmetric synthesis of β-aminocarbonyl compounds. He was also the recipient of the Students as Co-Researchers Program, as well as the National Outreach Scholarship, which helped fund both his research and school tuition. In the Manetsch Laboratory, Arif is working on the quinolone project, synthesizing P4Q, THA, and PEQ analogs.

When he’s not busy in lab, Arif enjoys playing cricket and cheering on his favourite player, Virat Kohli. In spite of spending so much time cooking up compounds in lab, he also likes cooking at home, and has fun trying new recipes after work and on the weekends. We hope he will share his creations with us sometime!

 PhD Student

B.S. Northeastern University

liebson.b@northeastern.edu

Ben is no stranger to Northeastern, as he got his degree here in Chemical Engineering! Before returning for his PhD, he worked for 2 years at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), focusing on using high-throughput reverse phase LCMS to purify small molecules. In his undergrad days he did an internship at BMS on the same project, in addition to a co-op at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, where he set up crystallization experiments and analyzed the resulting structures using X-ray diffractometry. Now, Ben is changing directions and focusing more on synthetic chemistry, as he is making antimalarial compounds for the PfFNT project. 

Ben’s interests are almost as diverse as his research experience! He enjoys playing guitar, chess, and reading fantasy books. Additionally, he enjoys playing smash bros, and has even competed when he had more time (we may have to do a lab competition, but I think we’re all a bit intimidated!)

 PhD Student

B.S., M.S., Cairo University

shaalan.m@northeastern.edu

Mai joins us from Cairo University in Egypt, where she earned both her B.S and M.S in Chemistry from the Faculty of Pharmacy. Her Master's research project focused on designing and synthesizing a series of novel pyridazine derivatives targeting renal and lung cancer. Additionally, Mai spent about 7 years as a teaching assistant and then assistant lecturer of medicinal chemistry at the British University in Egypt. Now, she's embarking on a new adventure, pursuing her PhD at Northeastern University. Returning to research in the lab, Mai is working on the optimization of antimalarial compounds for the PfFNT project.

Outside of the lab, Mai enjoys traveling, swimming - especially with sea turtles (although they’re difficult to find around the Boston area)-, and snorkeling. Mai has also a profound passion for the culinary arts, where cooking serves as her dedicated stress-relief mechanism, especially during exams!

Undergraduate Student 

Northeastern University, Class of 2025

aning.p@northeastern.edu

Portia is a pharmaceutical science major who joins us from Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, Illinois, and she intends to graduate in spring of 2025. In the Manetsch Group, she focuses on quinolone-based molecules as antimalarials. Her research here has sparked interest in getting a co-op, and we’re hoping that her talents in the lab will find her many exciting opportunities to get one in the near future!

When undergraduate responsibilities aren't too overwhelming, Portia loves to dance as a hobby (and has been doing so for the past seven years!)

 Undergraduate Student

Northeastern University, Class of 2026

kleinmann.a@northeastern.edu

Ally is a chemistry major who joins us from New Trier Highschool in the suburbs of Chicago (so she’s no stranger to the chilly Bostonian winters!), and has an intended graduation date of Spring 2026. This is her first adventure in research, and we’re excited to see her synthetic abilities grow! She’s been interested in medicinal chemistry for a long time, as her grandpa was a pharmacist. Ally is currently working on the synthesis of cyclic thiosulfinates.

Between classes and research, Ally enjoys both knitting and crocheting. Like many of the lab members, she has a particular fondness for four-legged friends, and misses her two cats, Zipper and Minnie, very much, as they’re still in Chicago. Additionally, she is a music lover, although she prefers going to see it live, rather than participating in it herself!

  Undergraduate Student

Northeastern University, Class of 2026

lynch.caro@northeastern.edu

Caroline is a chemistry major (with a public health minor) who joins us from Westward Academy– she’s actually been a Massachusetts resident her whole life! In the Manetsch lab, she is working on the synthesis of antimalarial compounds for the PfFNT project. Being quite the medicinal chemist, she has an upcoming co-op in the medicinal chemistry group at Blueprint Medicines– we'll miss her but know it will be a great opportunity!

Outside of lab, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Lucy. She also works as a lifeguard on campus (we’ll need to be sure to bring her along on future lab beach trips!) In general, Caroline enjoys the outdoors, and hopes to finish hiking the 48 4,000 foot mountains in New Hampshire this year (wow!)

   Undergraduate Student

Northeastern University, Class of 2027

kompella.sr@northeastern.edu

Sriram joins us from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North in Princeton, NJ. Here at Northeastern, he is a Bioengineering and Biochemistry major, with a pharmaceutical sciences minor. He’s been a big fan of the sciences, and chemistry in particular, since middle school chemistry experiments! His work in the Manetsch group has so far included antimalarial small molecule synthesis, as well as the synthesis of dione precursors for the THA project.

Sriram continues to add to the lab’s population of outdoorsy-folk (much to our delight!) He camped in Furnace Creek, Death Valley for an entire week, and while we’re impressed, we certainly won’t take inspiration in that for future lab activities!