Group Members
Luis Francisco (Paco) Villalobos, PhD
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, USC Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
BS, Chemical Engineering - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
PhD, Chemical and Biological Engineering - King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Postdoc, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Postdoc, Yale University
Outside the lab: Paco enjoys water sports (kitesurfing, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, SUP, and beginner surfing—a California rite of passage), camping, skiing, board games, hiking, traveling, eating, and spending time with his family.
PhD Students
M.S. Chemical Technology, Dalian University of Technology (2024)
B.S. Energy and Environment System Engineering, South China Agricultural University (2021)
Brief Bio: Boyang Liu was born and raised in Anqing, Anhui Province, China. He obtained BS and MS at South China Agricultural University and Dalian University of Technology, respectively. While at SCAU, he researched preparation and characteristic application of waterborne polyurethane, under Prof. Chaoqun Zhang. Later, at DUT, he conducted research under Prof. Anhui Lu and Prof. Guangping Hao, focusing on the design of pore structure of in porous carbon and its utilization in seawater desalination and ion separation driven by solar.
Outside the lab: Boyand finds joy in various pursuits, including working out, indulging in R&B music, tuning into Korean TV shows, and cherishing lazy sleep. He's always eager to explore new interests like Python and Machine Learning. His ultimate dream? To share a cozy abode with his beloved, complete with a furry family consisting of an adorable dog and cat.
Boyang Liu
PhD Student in Chemical Engineering, USC - joined Fall 2024
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (2024)
Brief Bio: Juliet was born and raised in Irvine, California. She attended community college and transferred to Cal Poly Pomona where she graduated as Valedictorian of her engineering class and earned a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering. She worked as a research assistant at UCI, optimizing carbon nano-fiber synthesis to scale production for energy applications. Juliet also interned in industry as an Automation Engineer, Research and Development Engineer, and machinist.
Outside the lab: Juliet likes to spoil and pamper her goldendoodle and take him on walks to explore the city for food and coffee. She enjoys traveling, sailing, and scuba diving. She loves JDM cars and has owned an S2000, EVO X, and Integra.
Juliet Nordman
PhD Student in Materials Science, USC - joined Fall 2024
B.S. Chemical Engineering, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (2024)
Brief Bio: Diego grew up in La Verne, California, a small city in the suburbs of Los Angeles. He earned a B.S. in chemical engineering and a minor in materials engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2024. While completing his undergraduate studies, he conducted research under Dr. Vilupanur Ravi; he worked on several materials science-related projects, with one focused on the corrosion behavior of Ni-based superalloys in molten salt environments for nuclear energy applications.
Outside the lab: Outside of his studies and research, Diego enjoys listening to music, going on hikes, and playing board games. When he has the opportunity, he loves to attend jazz concerts and hang out with his friends.
Diego Ochoa
PhD Student in Materials Science, USC - joined Fall 2024
B.S. Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles (2025)
Brief Bio: Zhangqing was born in Huzhou, China. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. While at UCLA, she researched bioinspired hydrogels under Prof. Ximin He and multilayered dielectric elastomer actuators under Professor Qibing Pei. She also served as the pedagogy head in the UCLA Learning Assistant Program for two years.
Outside the lab: Outside the lab, Zhangqing enjoys cooking, spending time with friends, and playing video games (Fun fact: she was once an avid support player in League of Legends and even won first prize in a small campus competition). She is also studying Japanese and Korean, and plans to take her first JLPT exam later this year.
Zhangqing Fei
PhD Student in Materials Science, USC - joined Fall 2025
Master’s Students
B.S. Chemistry, California State University, Northridge, Irvine (2025)
Brief Bio: Julianna was born and raised in Santa Clarita, California. She attended community college and transferred to California State University, Northridge, where she earned a Bachelor’s in Chemistry. While at CSUN, she worked as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Andersen’s atmospheric chemistry lab on halogenated anesthetics.
Outside the lab: Julianna enjoys watching YouTube videos and horror movies. She likes going to the gym, going out for matcha, and being a fashion enthusiast
Julianna Cruz
MS Student in Chemical Engineering, USC
Undergraduate Students
Omar Mahmoud
Undergraduate Student in Chemical Engineering, USC
Brief Bio: Omar was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, until the age of seven. After immigrating to the United States, he grew up in various parts of Orange County and Los Angeles County in Southern California. Currently a junior, Omar is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with an emphasis in Biological and Pharmaceutical engineering. His passion for research and engineering, particularly in the biotech field, ignited during his participation in nanoparticle synthesis trials within the Armani Nanoparticle Engineering group. Looking ahead, Omar aspires to engineer a porous membrane adsorber for the capture of PFAS or boron, aiming to advance various fields and improve numerous processes.
Outside the lab: When he's not immersed in his studies or lab work, Omar thrives in the great outdoors. A passionate sports enthusiast, he particularly enjoys playing and watching basketball and volleyball. His adventurous spirit drives him to explore new places and discover exciting food spots. Omar is also a movie buff, with "The Dark Knight" and "Interstellar" among his favorites. He values quality time with his loved ones, whether it's friends or family, and enjoys meeting new people and forming new connections.
Jack Qiu
Undergraduate Student in Chemical Engineering, USC
Brief Bio: Jack is a first-generation university student born in Shanghai, China. He grew up in Orange County, Southern California, and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with a biological and pharmaceutical emphasis. His passion in the pharmaceutical applications in chemistry is catalyzed by the joy he felt while volunteering at a community clinic, where he first saw the power of precisely engineered medications. He is looking forward to meeting more peers, gaining more in-depth knowledge within this field, and leveraging his passion for scientific innovation to improve the quality of life worldwide.
Outside the lab: Outside of his studies and research, Jack is a talented violinist, tennis player, and an amateur sim racer. He also dabbles in culinary arts to relax and enjoy some good food. During his free time at the university, he enjoys exploring LA with his friends and working out at the gym.
Giovanni Choto-Parada
Undergraduate Student in Chemical Engineering, USC
Brief Bio: Giovanni was born in L.A. but was raised in Santa Ana, El Salvador. He graduated from high school at Liceo San Luis, Santa Ana, El Salvador. He continued his major studies at Los Angeles City College and transferred to USC to continue studying to be a chemical engineer. He researched at LACC under Professor Amir Keshavarz (Spring 2024). Nowadays, he forms part of Professor Villalobos’s research group at USC.
Outside the lab: Outside of his studies and the lab, Giovanni practices many sports and enjoys video games. He mainly practices soccer in park leagues and volleyball at different open gyms. Giovanni enjoys different types of video games but mainly playing with his brother and his friends. A hobby he picked up recently is watching series and movies late at night.
Naomi Noguera
Undergraduate Student in Chemical Engineering, USC
Brief Bio: Naomi grew up in Danville, California, a small town in the San Francisco Bay Area. After spending her first semester abroad at the American University of Paris, Naomi is now currently a sophomore studying chemical engineering at the University of Southern California. In the chemical engineering field, she is interested in nanotechnology, materials science, and sustainable energies. Since coming to USC, Naomi has been a part of ChemE Car and the Society of Women Engineers, and now she is excited to join the Villalobos Lab.
Outside the lab: Outside the lab, Naomi loves to crochet, have movie nights with her friends, and taste test dessert shops (she has quite the sweet tooth). She also loves traveling and exploring cities and can’t wait to discover more of LA.
Long-Siang (Sean) Lee
Undergraduate Student in Biomedical Engineering, USC
Brief Bio: Sean was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan. He is a freshman studying BS in Biomedical Engineering at University of Southern California. Sean is passionate about the intersection between nanotechnology and pharmaceuticals. In Taiwan, he researched nanomedicine and controlled dexamethasone delivery through functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles, under Prof. Kevin C.-W. Wu..
Outside the lab: Outside of the laboratory, Sean is an athlete, community giver, and musician. He loves tennis, volleyball, and fencing, even competing internationally as a national fencer. He also engages in community service, especially assisting underprivileged organizations. Lastly, he enjoys playing his violin as a stress reliever. At USC, he likes going on metro trips and hitting the gym.
Lucas Lee
Undergraduate Student in Chemical Engineering, USC
Brief Bio: Lucas was born and raised in San Diego, California. He is currently a rising sophomore studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Southern California. Lucas is interested in sustainability and membrane development and previously researched at Allele Biotechnology under Dr. Jiwu Wang.
Outside the lab: Lucas loves playing the violin, watching horror movies, sidequesting with friends, and eating out at restaurants. He also enjoys watching professional sports such as basketball and tennis.
Joseph Waters
Undergraduate Student in Chemical Engineering, USC
Brief Bio: Joe is a first-gen chemical engineering student from New York and is planning to pursue a materials science emphasis. He is interested in electrochemistry and its applications for sustainable engineering. Since joining USC, he has joined ChemE Car and is on the Executive Board for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. His interest in electrochemistry began with his first time building a galvanic cell at ChemE Car!
Outside the lab: Joe enjoys playing guitar, pickleball, swimming, and cooking. He is an avid nature lover, whether it’s hiking, snorkeling, or watching documentaries. Joe also loves exploring new places and can’t wait to explore more of Los Angeles!