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
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.
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!
Aaisha Shafi
Undergraduate Student in Chemical Engineering, USC
Brief Bio: Aaisha was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. She completed her high school in Karachi and then moved to the United States at the beginning of 12th grade. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering with a Biological and Pharmaceutical Emphasis. While at USC, Aaisha has become involved with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the Society of Cosmetics Chemists (SCC).
Outside the lab: Aaisha enjoys playing badminton, table tennis, and hiking. She also loves spending her free time with family and friends.
Jordyn Waters
Undergraduate Student in Chemical Engineering, USC
Brief Bio: Jordyn is from Boulder City, a small town east of Las Vegas. She is pursuing her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering and has an interest in alternative energy and sustainability. She is working with Zhangqing Fei on interfacial polymerization.
Outside the lab: Jordyn loves to be outside; at the beach, camping, hiking, or exploring the greater Los Angeles Area. She loves to weightlift, spend time with her friends, and try new hobbies.
Victor Demyanyuk
Undergraduate Student in Chemical Engineering, USC
Brief Bio: Victor was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and spent the first 10 years of his life there. At 11, he moved to Switzerland to attend boarding school, where he completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma. During his studies, he pursued his interests in science and engineering through participation in the microver.ch competition, iGEM, and VEX Robotics, gaining experience across biology, engineering, and hands-on technical projects.
Outside the lab: Outside the lab, Victor enjoys staying active and has a particular passion for basketball, having played on his school’s varsity team. He also regularly works out at the gym and enjoys playing the piano in his free time as a way to relax and unwind.
Jack Hershfield
Undergraduate Student in Chemical Engineering, USC
Brief Bio: Jack was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He is an undergraduate student at The University of Southern California majoring in Chemical Engineering on the pre-med path. He spent this past summer assisting in research at RWTH Aachen in keratin-derived polymers. Some extracurricular activities include volunteering in the ER at Cedars-Sinai, gaining clinical experience at Adventist Hospital Glendale, and leading the stopping team as part of the Chemical Engineering Car Club.
Outside the lab: Outside of research, Jack likes to rock climb with his friends at various climbing gyms across Los Angeles. He also loves to travel across the world and experience the local food and culture.