
The Long Research Group
Macromolecular Chemistry and Catalyst Design

LONG GROUP MEMBERS
Graduate Students
Trevor Wilson
Graduate Student
B.S. East Tennessee State (2017)
Joined Group: Fall 2018
T: 865-974-3379
Research Area:
Gas Separation Membranes
Bio:
Trevor is from Cleveland Tennessee. He received two B.S. degrees in 2015 from East Tennessee State University, one in Chemistry and another in Geology. He then spent two years as a Laboratory Technician at Eastman Chemical Company’s corporate headquarters in Kingsport, Tennessee. His work at Eastman ranged from manufacturing support to the development of next generation co-polyester materials. In his free time, he enjoys home-brewing, playing guitar, and spending time with his two dogs.
Cameron Workman
Graduate Student
B.S. Univ. of Tennessee (2018)
Joined Group: Fall 2018
T: 865-974-3379
Research Area:
Advanced Biomaterials
Bio:
Cameron grew up in Sevierville, Tennessee. He graduated with his B.S. Degree in Chemistry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2018, before returning to the university later that year to participate in the graduate program. During his time as an undergrad, Cameron conducted undergraduate research under Dr. Michael Best. When he isn’t studying chemistry, he enjoys playing guitar, heavy metal, video games, and hockey.
Maggie Powell
Graduate Student
B.S. Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham (2018)
Joined Group: Fall 2020
T: 865-974-3301
Research Area:
Gas Separation Membranes
Bio:
Maggie is from Semmes, Alabama near the Gulf Coast. She graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2018 with a bachelor’s in chemistry. During her undergraduate studies she conducted organic research (organic) under the direction of Dr. Pengfei Wang. Additionally, she spent summer 2017 working under Dr. Todd Mlsna at Mississippi State University through their NSF-REU program. In her free time she enjoys hiking, spending time with friends and family, and doing arts and crafts.
Nicholas Shawver
Graduate Student
B.S. Univ. of Central Florida (2020)
Joined Group: Fall 2020
T: 865-974-3379
Research Area:
Polymerization Catalysis
Bio:
Nick grew up in Jupiter, FL and attended the University of Central Florida where he earned his B.S in Chemistry and minor in Mathematics. During his time at UCF he had the pleasure of conducting undergraduate research under Prof. Gang Chen in nanomaterials synthesis. He joined the UT Chemistry Department in the fall of 2020 pursuing a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry. In his free time he enjoys the outdoors, reading, video games, and spending time with his awesome wife.
Christy Witcher
Graduate Student
B.S. Univ. of N. Carolina, Wilmington (2020)
Joined Group: Fall 2021
T: 865-974-3379
Research Area:
Advanced Materials
Bio:
Christy is from Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2020. During her time as an undergraduate, she worked for RTI International where she conducted research in materials chemistry. In her free time she likes to hike, paddleboard, and spend time with family and friends.
Godwin Ochola
Graduate Student
B.S. Univ. of Agriculture Makurdi (2017)
Joined Group: Fall 2022
T: 865-974-3379
Research Area:
Advanced Biomaterials
Bio:
Godwin is from Nigeria, Benue State. In 2017, he received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Agriculture Makurdi (UAM) in Benue State where he carried out research in the lab of Prof. Habibat F. Chahul. Godwin moved to the U.S. in 2022 and enjoys walking tours, reading, watching comedies, and spending time with family and friends.
Rakesh Patter
Graduate Student
B.S. University of Delhi, New Delhi (2015)
M.S. Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal Univ.
Joined Group: Fall 2022
T: 865-974-3379
Research Area:
Advanced Materials
Bio:
Rakesh is from Hisar, Haryana which is in the northern part of India. He graduated from University of Delhi, New Delhi in 2015 where he earned his B.S. in chemistry. He earned his M.S. in Chemistry in 2017 from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University located in Uttarakhand state of India. He then obtained a Bachelor of Education from Chaudhary Devi Lal University Haryana, India in 2019. He taught for three years after his graduation. In his free time, he likes to play cricket and volleyball, hike, explore new places and spend time with friends.
Undergraduate Students
Rahil Parikh
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Tennessee
Joined Group: Spring 2023
T: 865-974-3301
Research Area:
Gas Separation Membranes
Laura Smith
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Tennessee
Joined Group: Spring 2023
T: 865-974-3301
Research Area:
Advanced Materials