The Team
Dr. Ben Elling
Ben grew up in Rochester, NY. He received his BA in chemistry from Cornell University, where he synthesized polymers for anion exchange membranes in the lab of Geoff Coates. After, he attended Stanford University, where he became the first PhD student of Yan Xia and developed methods for sequence-specific polymerization via the ring-opening metathesis of substituted cyclopropenes. Prior to his appointment at Wesleyan, Ben was a postdoctoral scholar in the lab of Professor Will Dichtel, where he designed new covalent adaptable networks and investigated strategies for mixed plastic compatibilization.
Students
Jessa Zovinka
PhD Student
Jessa grew up in Ebensburg, PA. They received their BA in chemistry from Mary Baldwin University, where they studied the degradation of Bisphenol-F under UV light in the lab of Peter Ruiz-Haas. When not in the lab, Jessa enjoys hiking, raising chickens, and playing roller derby with the Shoreline Roller Derby League. Here in the lab, their work focuses on synthesizing polymers that incorporate carbon dioxide as a comonomer.
Abdul Bashir
PhD Student
Abdul was born and raised in Kaduna State, Nigeria, where he received his BSc degree in industrial chemistry from Kaduna State University and master’s from Federal University of Lafia. Prior to joining Wesleyan, he obtained his master’s at University of Manchester, where he worked on chemical recycling of polyethylene terephthalate. Abdul is passionate about finding solutions to current environmental problems without compromising the future of the next generations. In his free time, Abdul likes to be around friends, connecting with family over calls, and travelling. He joined the Elling Lab in summer of 2024 and is currently working on covalent adaptable networks.
Mike Bunce
PhD Student
Mike grew up in Prospect, CT. He received his BA in chemistry from Quinnipiac where he studied the redox properties of polyoxometalates. When not in lab he enjoys playing Minecraft and doing BJJ. He is also a proud cat dad of his two daughters Olive and Daisy. Here in lab, his focus is on exploring new degradable polymers and propagating exquisite vibes.
Dale
Dog
Dale, originally from Arkansas, is a dog who was adopted in the winter of 2021 by Professor Elling. Genetic testing suggests he is primarily a lab/blue heeler mix. He loves eating, sleeping, and otherwise being a menace. Recent interests include his new stuffed capybara and watermelon squeaker toy.
Julian Frank
Undergraduate (‘27)
Julian was born in Boston, MA, and grew up in Arlington where he attended school. At Wesleyan, he is a chemistry major and is interested in pursuing a PhD and one day becoming a research professor. Outside of the lab, Julian loves to ski, sail, and play various instruments including the cello and banjo. He joined the Elling Lab in the fall of 2024 and is currently investigating the thermodynamics of ring-opening metathesis polymerization.
Themistocles Ntaganira
Undergraduate (‘28)
Oliver Meier
Undergraduate (‘27)
Oliver grew up in Rye, NY. He studies Chemistry and Molecular Biology/Biochemistry at Wesleyan University. He hopes to pursue a PhD post-graduation before finding a career in sustainable chemistry. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing trombone, going for runs, and cooking with friends. He joined the Elling Lab in Fall 2025 where he investigates the chemical reprocessability of CANs with higher-order cycloadditions.
Jonah Segal
Undergraduate (‘29)
Erick Badillo
Undergraduate (‘27)
Sofia Magnera
Undergraduate (‘28)
Former Members
Tyler Schimpf
(BA ‘26)
Currently: PhD student at McGill University.
Claire Larson
(BA ‘26)
Currently: PhD student at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Oliver Clarke
(BA ‘25)
Currently: PhD Student at Boston University in the Grinstaff Group.
Charlie Silver
(BA ‘25)
Currently: Fisher Scientific
Sarah Timbie
(BA ‘23)
Currently.: MPH Student at Rollins School of Public Health.
Christie Kim
(BA ‘26)
Currently: PhD student at McGill University.
Sophia Morgan
(BA ‘25)
Currently: PhD student at McGill University.
Alex Stubin
(BA ‘24)
Currently: Medical Assistant at Generation Next Fertility.
Kyle Sylvester
(MA ‘23, BA ‘22)
Currently: Co-recruiting coordinator and hitting coordinator at Eastern Connecticut State University
Charlie Nielsen
(BA ‘26)
Currently: Master’s student at University of Pennsylvania.
Kayla Alexander
(BA ‘25)
Currently: PhD student at Rutgers University
Angela Rojas Merchan
(BA ‘24)
Currently:
Graham Gilchrist
(BA ‘23)
Currently: PhD student at University of Florida in Sumemrlin/Evans groups.
Dexter Ixcoy Perez
(BA ‘26)
Currently: PhD student at Rutgers University..
Sunjay Riener
(BA ‘25)
Currently:
Jeremy Kim
(MA ‘24, BA ‘23)
Currently:
Maya Milrod
(BA ‘24)
Currently: PhD student at Northwestern University working with Tobin Marks, studying computational chemistry to study catalytic chemical recycling of polymers.