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

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

Office: Chemistry Research Laboratories, Rm 567
Email: matthew.lockett@mail.wvu.edu

WVU
Professor, C. Eugene Bennett Chair of Chemistry, Dept. of Chemistry (2026 - )

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

UNC Chapel Hill
Professor, Department of Chemistry (2026 - 2026 )
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry (2020 - 2025)
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry (2013 - 2020)

Logos and text for the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Office of Graduate Education, including the 'UndocuCarolina' program logo, a 'Safe Zone' icon with rainbow colors, and a 'Mental Health First Aid' logo, all on a black background.

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Current Researchers

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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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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Ryan Lidgett
Graduate Student

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


Andre D. Orr, Ph.D.(2025) Electrochemical characterization of CO2-reducing hybrid photoelectrodes modified via covalent silicon-nitrogen bonds
Now: Analytical Scientist at CEM Corp.

​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: The Charles House

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

  • Sarina Jones (2022-2026) switched to the Liz Brunk Lab (UNC) during the transition to WVU

  • Jose Nolasco (2023-2026) switched to the Netz Arroyo Lab (UNC) during the transition to WVU

  • Evan Huang (2024-2026) switched to the Klarissa Jackson Lab (UNC) during the transition to WVU

  • Sabrina Cramer, M.S. (2020)

  • C. Chad Lloyd, M.S. (2018)

  • Jennifer Middlebrooks, M.S. (2015)

  • David Siegel, M.S. (2026)

  • Melanie Sinanian, M.S. (2020)

  • ​Matthew VanGunten, M.S. (2021)

  • Alexis Zimmer, M.S. (2024)

Dr. Taylor Teitsworth, Ph.D., (Postdoc), ​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.(Postdoc), ​Now: Project Manager at WuXi Biologics
Dr. Qi Han, Ph.D.(Postdoc), ​Now: Senior Engineer at Freshape
Andrew Truong(Technologist), ​Now: Scientist 1 at Ribometrix
Dr. Xiaoning Zhang, Ph.D.(Postdoc), ​Now: Associate Professor at Southwest University

  • Leo Albertini, B.S.*

  • Mays Albu-Shamah, B.S.

  • Damaris Alvarenga Agustin, B.S.

  • Marie-Madeline Bashengezi, B.S.

  • Elizabeth Bookshire, B.S.

  • Lauren Brown, B.S.*

  • Landon Cable, B.S.*

  • Karen Chen, B.S.

  • Elizabeth Choi, B.S.*

  • Levi Chua, B.S.

  • Gil Cukierman, B.S.

  • Pearl Dang, B.S.

  • Erin Dalrymple​, B.S.

  • William Dennis, B.S.

  • ​Sarah Diemel, B.S.

  • Tom Dominic, B.S.

  • Trevor Fachko, B.S.*

  • ​Julia Fehr, B.S.*

  • Diante Fields, B.S.

  • Briana Fletcher, B.S.

  • Jack Franchino, B.S.

  • Sontia Gaither, B.S.

  • Kopal Gupta, B.S.

  • Lisa Karlsson​, B.S.

  • ​Maggie Lee , B.S.*

  • Zhi-Wei Lin, B.S.

  • Benedict Liu, B.S.

  • Christian Lochbaum, B.S.

  • Adam Loeser, B.S.*

  • Ociel Ramirez Martinez, B.S.

  • Kabir Pathak​, B.S.

  • Wyatt Pellarin, B.S.

  • ​Andrew Pendergast, B.S.

  • ​J. Ben Penley, B.S.

  • Kalon Porter, B.S.

  • Akshay Sankar, B.S.

  • ​Rami Sharaf, B.S.*

  • Donovan Sherman, B.S.

  • Isaiah Stackleather, B.S.

  • Kevin Su, B.S.

  • Anna Vu, B.S.*

*completed an honors thesis