Our People
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LMAPS welcomes motivated undergraduate students and visiting scholars to join our team.
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PhD Opportunity in Materials for Energy Storage: LMAPS is seeking a highly motivated PhD student (U.S. citizenship required) to join our research team.
Golareh Jalilvand, PhD.
Assistant Professor
Principal Investigator
Dr. Jalilvand is a tenure-track assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina and the principal investigator of LMAPS. Dr. Jalilvand's research focuses on the hierarchical structures of materials for next-generation batteries and flexible and wearable energy storage devices.
(803) 576-8359
Postdoctoral Assistants
Dr. Saheed Lateef is a postdoctoral assistant in LMAPS pursuing his research in materials synthesis and processing for lithium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries, spanning from electrodes to electrolytes. He received his Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering in 2024, and 2017, from USC and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, respectively.
Graduate Research Assistants
Hunter McRay
PhD Candidate
Hunter McRay is a PhD student in LMAPS at USC. He graduated his B.Sc in chemical engineering from USC with Magna Cum Laude honors in December 2022. Hunter's research focuses on structural modifications of the future generation of separator materials for Li metal-based batteries.
Kaushek Ilancheran Rahul
PhD Student
Kaushek Rahul is a PhD student in LMAPS at USC. He graduated with his B.Sc in chemical and electrochemical engineering from the CSIR - Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) in 2023. Kaushek's research focuses on new electrolyte chemistries and cathode structures for Lithium-Sulfur batteries.
Aishwarya Muthuraman
PhD Student
Aishwarya Muthuraman is a PhD student in LMAPS at USC. Prior USC, she graduated with her M.Sc. in Energy Science and Engineering from the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science &Technology in South Korea (2024), and B.Sc. in Chemical and Electrochemical Engineering from CSIR - Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) in India (2020). Aishwarya's research is focused on alternative electrolyte chemistries for Lithium-Sulfur batteries with enhanced capacity and life time.
Hari Haran Udhayakumar
PhD Student
Hari is a Ph.D. student in the LMAPS group at the University of South Carolina (USC). Prior to joining USC, he earned his M.S in Energy Convergence Engineering from the Korea National University of Transportation in 2024 and his B.Tech in Chemical and Electrochemical Engineering from CSIR–Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), India, in 2021. Following his undergraduate studies, he worked at India’s national research organization, DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization). Hari’s current research focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms governing lithium–sulfur batteries and developing advanced electrocatalysts to enhance the performance of both lithium–sulfur and lithium-ion batteries.
Matthew Gentile
PhD Student
Matthew Gentile is a PhD student in LMAPS at USC. He graduated his B.Sc in chemistry from the University of Alabama with Summa Cum Laude honors in May 2025. Matthew's research focuses on novel wet and dry methods to recycle critical battery materials.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Victoria Colon-LaBorde
Victoria Colon-LaBorde is an undergraduate student in chemical engineering. Victoria's research interests are in electrochemical systems for energy conversion and storage.
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Kyra Burton
Kyra Burton is an undergraduate student in chemical engineering. Kyra's research interests are in green energy applications and sustainability.
Ethan Grazulis
Ethan Grazulis is an undergraduate student in chemical engineering. Ethan's research interests are in new chemistries for energy storage applications.
Douglas Reid
Douglas Reid is an undergraduate student in chemical engineering. Doug's research interests are in new chemistries for safe batteries.
Marceline Proctor
Marceline Proctor is an undergraduate student in electrical engineering. Marcy's research is focused on arc circuits for materials synthesis and recrystallization
Former Members
Saheed Lateef, Ph.D.
PhD Student
Fall 2022-Spring 2025
Post-LMAPS Career: UL Research Institute
Avinash Raulo, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Assistant
Spring 2023-Spring 2025
Post-LMAPS Career: Assistant Professor, IIT Jammu
Claire Murphy, B.Sc.
Undergrdaute Research Assistant
Fall 2023-Spring 2025
Post-LMAPS Career: PhD student in Chemical Engineering
at University of Texas at Austin
Emily Fisher
Undergrdauate Research Assistant
Fall 2021-Summer 2022
Post-LMAPS Career: School of Pharmacy