We cherish the creativity that arises in a laboratory setting where everyone's ideas are welcomed and valued. We believe the best way to develop the innovative approaches needed to solve complex scientific problems is to value each individual while fostering teamwork.

We have a zero-tolerance policy against oppression of any kind, including but not limited to sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and xenophobia. Everyone is welcome and celebrated in this safe space, where we work to support and uplift one another. We commit to acknowledging and educating ourselves and others about unconscious biases, mistakes, and misstatements.

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Matthew Ryen Lockett, PhD
Professor, Department of Chemistry (2026 - )
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry (2020 - )
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry (2013 - 2020)

Associate Editor, Analytical Methods (2023 - )
Editorial Advisory Board, ACS Measurement Science Au (2022 -)
Editorial Advisory Board, Analytical Chemistry (2021 - )

Faculty Advisor, UNC Allies of Minorities and Women Science and Engineering (2024 - )
Faculty Advisor, UNC American Chemical Society Student Affiliate Chapter (2024 - )

Office: Kenan Labs, Room C344
Email: mlockett@unc.edu


NCBI bibliography: Matthew_Lockett
ORCID: 0000-0003-4851-7757

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Group photo album

Current Researchers

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Alexis Harvey *
Graduate Student

B.S. Chemistry, East Tennessee State University
Kenan Labs, Room C347

​*Alexis is co-advised with Prof. Joanna Atkin

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David Siegel 
Graduate Student

B.S. Chemistry, Florida Gulf Coast University
Kenan Labs, Room C345

Sarina Jones 
Graduate Student

B.S. Chemistry, Monmouth University
Kenan Labs, Room C344

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Trevohn Robinson
Graduate Student

B.S. Professional Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University
Kenan Labs, Room C347

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Rayshell Torres-Santana
Graduate Student

B.S. Chemistry, Radford University
Kenan Labs, Room C347

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Portrait of a smiling young man in a plaid shirt standing in front of a brick wall.

Ryan Lidgett
Graduate Student

B.S. Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh
Kenan Labs, Room C345

Jose Nolasco
Graduate Student

B.S. Chemistry, Wingate University
Kenan Labs, Room C345

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Evan Huang
Graduate Student

B.S. Chemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology
Kenan Labs, Room C347

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Damaris Alvarenga Agustin
Biology and English/Comparative Literature (2028)

Kenan Labs, Room B327

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Landon Cable
Psychology and Neuroscience (2026)

Kenan Labs, Room B327

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Kalon Porter
Neuroscience (2027)

Kenan Labs, Room B327

Donovan Sherman
Biochemistry (2027)

Kenan Labs, Room B327

Andre D. Orr, Ph.D. (2025) Electrochemical characterization of CO2-reducing hybrid photoelectrodes modified via covalent silicon-nitrogen bonds

​Tyler S. Larson, Ph.D. (2023) Mass spectrometry analysis of 2D and 3D cell cultures 
Now: Analytical Scientist at Haleon

Zack R. Sitte, Ph.D. (2023) ​Developing new approach methodologies (NAMs) to increase the physiological relevance and utility of scaffold-based 3D cell culture techniques
Now: Scientist/Engineer II at Stemson Therapeutics

Thomas J. DiProspero, Ph.D. (2021) Development of in vitro liver culture techniques to integrate a physiological relevant microenvironment that recapitulates liver lobule zonation
Now: Dir. of Product Development at Metalytics

Julie C. McIntosh, Ph.D. (2020) Development of methods to accurately quantify cellular viability and multidrug-resistant phenotypes within 3D paper-based tumor models
Now: Associate Principal Scientist at Merck

Nathan A. Whitman, Ph.D. (2019) Development of paper-based breast cancer models to probe the relationship between the tumor microenvironment and the estrogen receptor alpha signaling pathway
Now: Technology Transfer and Patent Manager at the National Cancer Institute

Catherine G. McKenas, Ph.D. (2019) Preparation and Characterization of Chemically Modified Amorphous Carbon Electrodes
Now: R&D Engineer at Duke
​
Rachael M. (Kenney) Skipp, Ph.D. (2018) A 3D Paper-Based Assay to Evaluate Cellular Invasion and Quantify Microenvironmental Cues in Real Time
Now: Senior Staff Scientist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

​Matthew W. Boyce, Ph.D. (2018) Developing Tools for Paper-Based Cultures to Interrogate Oxygen's Role in Cancer Progression
Now: Senior Data Scientist at CEC Analytics

Group Alumni

Dr. Taylor Teitsworth, Ph.D., (Postdoctoral Fellow), ​Now: Assistant Professor, Vassar College
Abel Miranda Buzetta (Technologist), ​Now: UNC School of Medicine 
Ian Baker (Technologist), ​Now: Ask Biosciences
Vershon Battle (Visiting Master’s Student), ​Now: Medical Laboratory Scientist at Duke
Dr. Jiyang Chen, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow), ​Now: Project Manager at WuXi Biologics
Dr. Qi Han, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow), ​Now: Senior Engineer at Freshape
Andrew Truong (Technologist), ​Now: Scientist 1 at Ribometrix
Dr. Xiaoning Zhang, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow), ​Now: Associate Professor at Southwest University, College of Biotechnology

Sabrina Cramer, M.S. (2020)
C. Chad Lloyd, M.S. (2018)
Jennifer Middlebrooks, M.S. (2015)
Melanie Sinanian, M.S. (2020)
​Matthew VanGunten, M.S. (2021)
Alexis Zimmer, M.S. (2024)

Leo Albertini *
Mays Albu-Shamah
Marie-Madeline Bashengezi
Elizabeth Bookshire
​Lauren Brown *
Karen Chen
Elizabeth Choi *
Levi Chua
Gil Cukierman
Pearl Dang
Erin Dalrymple​
William Dennis
​Sarah Diemel

Tom Dominic
Trevor Fachko *
​Julia Fehr *
Diante Fields
Briana Fletcher
Jack Franchino
Sontia Gaither
Kopal Gupta
Lisa Karlsson​
​Maggie Lee *

Zhi-Wei Lin
Benedict Liu
Christian Lochbaum

Adam Loeser *
Ociel Ramirez Martinez
Kabir Pathak​
Wyatt Pellarin
​Andrew Pendergast
​J. Ben Penley
Isaiah Stackleather
Akshay Sankar
​Rami Sharaf * 
Kevin Su
Anna Vu *

*completed an honors thesis

UNC Old Well: A white, round, classical-style pavilion with columns, set in a garden with pink flowers and green trees.