Srivastava Lab

Samanvaya Srivastava 

B.S. and M.S., Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Cornell University

Postdoc, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago

Samanvaya is an Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UCLA. He completed his undergraduate and master's work from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and his Ph.D. with Lynden Archer from Cornell University, all in Chemical Engineering. Before coming to UCLA, he was a postdoctoral scholar with Matthew Tirrell at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago.

Samanvaya's research interests are in understanding the influence of intermolecular interactions on material structure and properties, with a broader aim to combine this fundamental understanding with molecular engineering and self-assembly processes to improve materials design. Samanvaya has received various awards, including the Austin Hooey Graduate Research Excellence Recognition Award at Cornell University (2013), the RSC Researcher Mobility Grant (2017), AIChE 35 under 35 (2020), the NSF CAREER award (2020), and the Scialog Fellowship (2024).

samsri<at>ucla<dot>edu

Department website           CV            Google Scholar

Antonio Garcia

B.S., Chemistry, CSU

Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, UCI

Dr. Antonio Garcia IV is a postdoctoral scholar in the Srivastava Group conducting research for an industry-funded project on discovering polyurethane-inorganic composites. Dr. Garcia IV brings his passion for environmental sustainability and is interested in exploring the potential for transforming recovered polyurethane materials into commercially useful organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Before his research endeavors in the Srivastava Group, Dr. Garcia IV was an NIH MARC-U*STAR scholar at California State University, Los Angeles, where he received his undergraduate degree in chemistry. He subsequently pursued his doctoral studies in organic chemistry at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), under the advisement of Prof. Suzanne A. Blum. His doctoral research focused on advancing fluorescence microscopy methods to investigate polymer-catalyst dynamics and polymer molecular weight.

antoniogarciaiv<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Zhi Wan

M.S., Structural Engineering, Shandong University (China)

Ph.D., Materials and Environment, Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands)

Dr. Zhi Wan is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Carbon Management (ICM), co-advised between the Sant Group and the Srivastava Group. He is working on incorporating graphene oxide (GO) in cementitious materials, additive manufacturing of cementitious materials to lower the carbon footprint. During his Ph.D. study, he focused on application of additive manufacturing in vascular self-healing cementitious materials, under the supervision of Prof. Erik Schlangen and Dr. Branko Šavija in the Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. In his spare time, he loves hiking, photography and working out.

zhiwan<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Yufei Wang

B.S., Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University

M.Eng., Nuclear Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Ph.D., Nuclear Engineering (major) and Chemical Engineering (minor), UC Berkeley

Yufei is a postdoctoral researcher working on the optimization of reverse osmosis feed pretreatment through coagulation-flocculation, hydrocyclones, and machine learning. Previously, he worked on aqueous reprocessing of nuclear waste and has extensive experience in f-element separation and waste treatment using a range of techniques, including extraction, adsorption, membrane processes, and chromatography. Outside of his research, Yufei is a licensed Professional Engineer in Chemical Engineering in the state of New Mexico. In his spare time, he enjoys playing badminton and road trips.

yufeiwang1<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Holly Senebandith

B.A., Biology, Bryn Mawr College

M.S., Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, UCLA

Holly is a graduate student in the biochemistry, molecular and structural biology program at UCLA. As a graduate student in the Srivastava Group, she is working on protein encapsulation within polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) domains. In her spare time, Holly loves traveling and is an aerial fitness enthusiast.

hollys<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Fahed Albreiki

B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago

M.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago

Fahed is a graduate student at the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department at UCLA. As an undergraduate and MS student, he worked on understanding the effects of viscoelasticity on interfacial instabilities and pattern formation with a focus on purely elastic polymer solutions. He enjoys sports, art, and engaging in community-based activities. 

fahedalbreiki<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Caitlyn Fick

B.A., Chemistry, Scripps College

M.S., Chemistry, UCLA

Caitlyn is a graduate student in the chemistry department at UCLA. Outside of lab she loves to hike, run, and be outside with her friends and family.

caitlynfick<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Arthur Odenheimer

B.S., Chemistry, Louisiana State University

B.M., Flute Performance, Louisiana State University

Arthur is a graduate student in the Chemistry department at UCLA, working in both the Srivastava Group and the Caram Lab. His research aims at using spectroscopic methods to better understand the self-assembly and properties of polymers. In his free time, he enjoys playing the flute, video games, and sitting outside and enjoying nature.

aodenh3<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Charlie Drucker

B.S., Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Charlie is a graduate student in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department at UCLA, working with both the Srivastava and Peterson Groups studying the rheology of dense emulsions. As a former line cook, Charlie spends most of his free time outside UCLA in the kitchen.

c.drucker<at>ucla<dot>edu

Vihar Trada

B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois, Chicago

Vihar is a graduate student in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at UCLA. In his undergraduate studies, he assembled an apparatus that can characterize certain extensional flow properties of complex fluids such as hand soaps. He enjoys hiking and roller coasters, and in his free time, he listens to classical music and plays chess.

vtrada<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Riddhi Kaley

B.Tech., Oils Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai

Riddhi is a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCLA. In her undergraduate studies, she worked on the synthesis of eco-friendly plasticizers. Outside of the lab, she likes reading books and watching sitcoms. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and traveling. 

kaleyriddhi<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Devajyoti Bedahuti Banerjee

B.S., Chemical Engineering, University Institute of Chemical Technology, Jalgaon, Maharashtra

Deva is a graduate student in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department at UCLA, diving into hydrogels in the Srivastava group. Back in his undergrad days, he worked on the rheology of shear-induced particle-polymer gel formation, also known as "shake-gels.". Beyond the lab, Deva’s love for cricket runs deep, whether he's on the field or glued to a match, and he never misses a beat when it comes to enjoying good music.

devajyotib<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Tianyue Yu

B.S., Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, UCLA

Tianyue Yu is a graduate student in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UCLA. In her undergraduate studies, she worked on charecterizing the adhesive properties of polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels. In her graduate research, she is exploring new directions in water pretreatment. In her spare time, Tianyue likes drawing, hiking, and fishing.

tianyueyu<at>ucla<dot>edu

Orchid Pyone

Orchid Pyone is an undergraduate chemical engineering student at UCLA from Myanmar. She joined Srivastava lab starting in the Summer of 2023. Outside of lab, Orchid enjoys playing badminton, traveling, and going to concerts.

orchidwang<at>ucla<dot>edu

Anuraag Tandon

Anuraag Tandon is an incoming freshman to UCLA planning to major in Bioengineering on a premedical path. He is interested in studying adhesive properties of polyelectrolyte complex coacervates. He enjoys spending time with his friends and family, going out on runs, and playing tennis.

anutandon<at>ucla<dot>edu

Emma Mcintosh

Emma is a UCLA Chemical Engineering undergraduate from Singapore. She joined the Srivastava Lab through the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge URP in fall 2023. Outside of the lab, she enjoys running, baking and travelling. 

emmamcintosh<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Gauri Arora

Gauri Arora is an undergraduate student, currently pursuing Bioengineering at UCLA. She joined the Srivastava Lab in the start of 2024, and her research aims are in studying the adhesive properties of polyelectrolytes. Outside of the lab, she enjoys listening to music, singing, and reading. 

gauriarora<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Sophia Gladkevich

Sophia is a UCLA Chemical Engineering undergraduate student from the Bay area. She joined the lab starting 2024 and is interested in working with polyurethane foams. In her free time she enjoys puzzles, outdoor runs, and exploring Los Angeles with friends.  

sgladkev<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Marlo Taylor

Marlo Taylor is a second year biochemistry major and conservation biology minor from Pleasant Hill, CA. She joined the lab in Spring 2024. In her free time, she enjoys running, baking, going to concerts, and being outside. 

marlot<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Helene Do

Helene is a Chemical Engineering undergraduate student at UCLA, researching the mechanical properties of polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Truffle.

heleneedo<at>ucla<dot>edu

Henley Roy

Henley is a Biochemistry and Business Economics major from Chico, CA. She is interested in studying the properties of polyelectrolyte complex micelles. Outside of the lab she enjoys running, hiking, and playing the violin. 

henleyroy<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Swaraali Save

Swaraali is a second-year Chemical Engineering undergraduate student from the Bay Area. Outside of research, she enjoys ceramic arts, baking, fashion, and travel. 

svs26<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Tanisha Lakhanpal

Tanisha is a UCLA Chemical Engineering undergraduate from Sacramento, CA. She joined the lab in Fall 2024 and is interested in the development of sustainable composites. Outside of the lab, she enjoys art, reading, and thrifting.

tanishal<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Ana Luiza Sardenberg

Ana Luiza Sardenberg is a undergraduate biochemistry major with a minor in science education. After graduation, she intends on moving on to a PhD in chemistry, with a focus on pharmaceutical research. In her spare time, she likes to write books, play music, and going to museums. 

asardenberg13<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu

Bibi Richardson

Bibi Richardson is a Chemical Engineering undergraduate student. She joined the Srivastava Lab at the beginning of 2024 and is interested in wastewater treatment. Outside of the lab, she enjoys swimming, hiking, and reading. 

bibirichardson<at>g<dot>ucla<dot>edu