Graduate Students
Dr. Reece Johnson, Ph.D. 2025
B.A. – Florida Gulf Coast University (United States)
Ph.D. – University of Florida
Thesis: SURFACE-SUPPORTED HETEROGENEOUS NIOBIUM CATALYSTS FOR HYDROCARBON TRANSFORMATIONS
Biography – Reece was born in Hialeah, Florida. He received his B.A. at Florida Gulf Coast University and conducted undergraduate research under the guidance of Dr. Daniel Paull. His research included the organic synthesis of resveratrol analogues and Sonogashira catalyst development via NHC ionic liquid ligands tethered to a solid support. Other than chemistry, he enjoys playing the ukulele and collecting records.
Dr. Nicole Giorgi, Ph.D. 2025
B.S. – Florida Gulf Coast University (United States)
Ph.D. – University of Florida (United States)
Thesis: CATALYTIC APPLICATIONS OF DINUCLEAR COBALT AND IRON COMPLEXES SUPPORTED BY BIS-DIPYRROMETHANE LIGAND SCAFFOLDS
Biography – Nicole Giorgi was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She received a B.S. in Biochemistry from Florida Gulf Coast University in the Spring of 2019. During her undergraduate career, she worked under the guidance of Dr. Gregory McManus designing flexible carboxylic acid ligands for the synthesis of breathable Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). These MOFs had a specific application for methane capture. In her spare time, she enjoys thrift shopping and hanging out with her cats Daisy and Kiwi.
Undergraduate Students
Anson I. Rowe
Biography – Raised in Tampa, Florida, Anson is pursuing a major in chemistry at the University of Florida. In addition to his studies, Anson serves as the treasurer of Alpha Chi Sigma, the professional fraternity of the chemical sciences, and works as a Student Assistant Laboratory Manager for the general chemistry lab. Anson is interested in improving the efficacy of modern industrial processes using surface organometallic chemistry to bridge the gap between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and working out. Anson started his Ph.D. studies at Northwestern University in the Fall of 2024.
Eduardo Miguel Landaeta Hidalgo
Biography – Eduardo has aspirations for a career in chemistry research. Having graduated from Charles W. Flanagan Highschool in 2019, he enters the University of Florida and is enthusiastically commencing research in the Searles Research Group. As an active member of the University of Florida’s American Chemical Society (ACS) and American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AiChE) chapters, Eduardo is primarily interested in the refinement of wasteful industrial processes and innovative chemical approaches to ameliorate the harms of our fossil fuel dependency. His research will focus on the design of novel catalysts using surface organometallic chemistry. Eduardo began working in the metallocene division of ExxonMobil in 2024.
Onika Lyman
Biography – Onika was born in Stuart, Florida and attended Martin County High School until her graduation in 2019. Now, she studies at UF with a major in biochemistry and a minor in art history. She is the vice president of the UF-based Our Art Collective. In the Searles Research Group, she is interested in molecular catalysis utilizing late transition metals. In her free time, Onika enjoys painting, playing on her Nintendo Switch, and setting up puzzles and games for her pet rats. Onika began teaching high school chemistry in Chicago through Teach for America in 2025.