Zhiyu Bo

Fourth-Year Graduate Student

2022 - present: Graduate Student

Zhiyu received her BS and MS in Chemistry from Sichuan University under the guidance of Prof. Da-Gang Yu. Her previous research in the Yu lab focused on the development of novel transformations of CO2 and C-F bond activation. Zhiyu loves learning the tricks of skateboarding and hanging out with friends in her spare time.

Publications:

  1. “Stereoselective Amino Acid Synthesis by Synergistic Photoredox-Pyridoxal Radical Biocatalysis” Lei Cheng, Dian Li, Binh Khanh Mai, Zhiyu Bo, Lida Cheng, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Science 2023, 381, 444–451.

  2. “Enzymes on Steroids“ Liupeng Zhao, Zhiyu Bo and Yang Yang*, Nature Synthesis 2023, 2, 699–700.

  3. “Practical Biocatalytic Synthesis of Aromatic Nitriles“ Zhiyu Bo and Yang Yang*, Chem Catalysis 2023, 3, 100615.

  4. “Stereoselective amino acid synthesis by photobiocatalytic oxidative coupling“ Tian-Ci Wang, Binh Khanh Mai, Zheng Zhang, Zhiyu Bo, Jiedong Li, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Nature 2024, 629, 98–104.

  5. “Directed Evolution and Unusual Protonation Mechanism of Pyridoxal Radical C–C Coupling Enzymes for the Enantiodivergent Photobiocatalytic Synthesis of Non-Canonical Amino Acids” Lei Cheng, Zhiyu Bo, Benjamin Krohn-Hansen and Yang Yang*, Journal of the American Chemical Society 2025, 147, 4602–4612.

  6. “Directed Evolution of Class I Aldolases for Cooperative Photobiocatalytic Enantioselective Radical α-Alkylation of Aldehydes“ Quanquan Wang†, Zhiyu Bo†, Michael S. Bratslavsky and Yang Yang*, Journal of the American Chemical Society 2025, ASAP. († denotes equally contributing authors)

Betty Chen

Fifth-Year Graduate Student

2021 - present: Graduate Student

Betty received her BS in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with Highest Distinction. As an undergraduate, she was an LAS James Scholar in Prof. Jeffrey S. Moore’s group. Her research focused on the kinetic self-assembly of molecular ladders via alkyne metathesis. Betty loves catching bugs, but there aren’t many bugs around, so she catches lizards instead.

Publications:

  1. “Nicotinamide Photoenzymes for Radical C-C Coupling.“ Rui Guo, Heyu Chen and Yang Yang*, Nature Catalysis 2022, 5, 582–583.

  2. “Engineered P450 Atom Transfer Radical Cyclases Are Bifunctional Biocatalysts: Reaction Mechanism and Origin of Enantioselectivity“ Yue Fu, Heyu Chen, Wenzhen Fu, Marc Garcia-Borras, Yang Yang* and Peng Liu*, Journal of the American Chemical Society 2022, 144, 13344–13355.

  3. “P450-Catalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Cyclization“ Heyu Chen†, Wenzhen Fu†, Yang Yang*, Methods in Enzymology 2023, 693, 31–49.

  4. (in preparation)

Zheng Zhang

Third-Year Graduate Student

2023 - present: Graduate Student

Zheng received his bachelor’s degree from Sichuan University and worked as a research assistant in Prof. Zhaobin Wang’s group at Westlake University. His previous research focused on photoMHAT/chromium triple catalysis. In his free time, he enjoys climbing mountains with friends, reading and playing soccer.

Publications:

  1. “Threonine Aldolase-Catalyzed Enantioselective α-Alkylation of Amino Acids through Unconventional Photoinduced Radical Initiation“ Tian-Ci Wang, Zheng Zhang, Guodong Rao, Jiedong Li, Josephine Shirah, R. David Britt, Qilei Zhu* and Yang Yang*, Journal of the American Chemical Society 2024, 146, 22476–22484.

  2. “Stereoselective amino acid synthesis by photobiocatalytic oxidative coupling“ Tian-Ci Wang, Binh Khanh Mai, Zheng Zhang, Zhiyu Bo, Jiedong Li, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Nature 2024, 629, 98–104.

Jun Zhou

Third-Year Graduate Student

2023 - present: Graduate Student

Jun received his B.S. in Chemistry from the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) under the guidance of Prof. Bin Tan. His previous research in the Tan lab focused on the development of chiral selenide catalysts. Jun loves playing badminton and western pop music. He is also learning how to cook well and wants to be a good Cantonese chef.

Publications:

  1. “Diversity-Oriented Photobiocatalytic Synthesis via Stereoselective Three-Component Radical Coupling” Chen Zhang†, Jun Zhou†, Pei-Pei Xie, Silvia M. Rivera, Turki M. Alturaifi, James Finnigan, Simon Charnock, Peng Liu, and Yang Yang*, Science 2025, First Release, DOI: 10.1126/science.adx2935. († denotes equally contributing authors).

  2. “A Pyridoxal Radical Carboligase and Imine Reductase Photobiocatalytic Cascade for Stereoselective Synthesis of Unnatural Prolines“ Chen Zhang, Jun Zhou, Binh Khanh Mai, Zijun Qin, James Finnigan, Samantha Gittings, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang* Nature Chemistry 2025, DOI: 10.1038/s41557-025-01937-2.

Huichong Liu

Third-Year Graduate Student

2023 - present: Graduate Student

Huichong received his B.S. in Chemistry from Xiamen University under the guidance of Prof. Cheng Wang. His previous research in the Wang lab focused on catalytic activities and reaction mechanism of single site metal catalysts in MOFs. In his leisure time, Huichong enjoys electronic music and collecting mineral samples.

Publications:

1. “Nonheme Fe 1,3-Nitrogen Migratases for Asymmetric Noncanonical Amino Acid Synthesis“ Liu-Peng Zhao, Huichong Liu, Binh Khanh Mai, Yu Zhang, Lida Cheng, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Nature Chemical Biology 2025, published online.

2. “Cooperative Photometallobiocatalysis: Nonheme Fe Enzyme-Catalyzed Enantioconvergent Radical Decarboxylative Azidation, Thiocyanation and Isocyanation of Redox-Active Esters” Liu-Peng Zhao, Ken Lin, Pei-Pei Xie, Huichong Liu, Hengye Xiang, Xin Liu, Yunlong Zhao, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2025, e202506361.

Silvia Rivera

Second-Year Graduate Student

2024 - present: Graduate Student

Silvia received her B.S. in Chemistry from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. In addition to being an LSAMP fellow, she was an NSF-REU Fellow at Kansas State University, where she worked under the guidance of Prof. Ryan Rafferty to contribute on the total synthesis of Balgacyclamide B. She also completed a Process Chemistry Co-Op position at Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Boston site, investigating novel conditions for the decarboxylation of β-ketoesters under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Laws and Dr. Stephanie Roeper. Silvia is currently a fellow in the LSAMP Bridge to Doctorate Program. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new cities, playing her ukulele, and cooking.

Publications:

  1. “Diversity-Oriented Photobiocatalytic Synthesis via Stereoselective Three-Component Radical Coupling” Chen Zhang†, Jun Zhou†, Pei-Pei Xie, Silvia M. Rivera, Turki M. Alturaifi, James Finnigan, Simon Charnock, Peng Liu, and Yang Yang*, Science 2025, First Release, DOI: 10.1126/science.adx2935.

Ken Lin

First-Year Graduate Student

2024 - present: Graduate Student

Ken received his BS from Central China Normal University and MS from Nanjing University. While at Nanjing University, he worked with Prof. Hongjian Lu on organic azides and molecular editing. Outside the lab, Ken loves playing basketball and traveling.

Publications:

  1. “Cooperative Photometallobiocatalysis: Nonheme Fe Enzyme-Catalyzed Enantioconvergent Radical Decarboxylative Azidation, Thiocyanation and Isocyanation of Redox-Active Esters” Liu-Peng Zhao, Ken Lin, Pei-Pei Xie, Huichong Liu, Hengye Xiang, Xin Liu, Yunlong Zhao, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2025, e202506361.

  2. “Rate-Determining Step and Enantioselectivity Switch in Nonheme Fe Enzyme-Catalyzed Nitrogen Migration: Directed Evolution of Isopenicillin N Synthases for Asymmetric Non-Canonical Amino Acid Synthesis“ Ken Lin†, Liu-Peng Zhao†, Shengchun Wang†, Huichong Liu, Yu Zhang, Binh Khanh Mai, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, 2025, submitted.

Benjamin Krohn-Hansen

Fourth-Year Undergraduate Student

2021 - present: Undergraduate Researcher

2022: RISE Internship

2022: Richard and Leslie Anderson Scholarship

Ben is a biochemistry major in the College of Letters and Science UCSB. He is deeply interested in the application of chemistry in biological processes at the molecular level. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and playing piano with his band.

Publications:

  1. “Enzyme-Controlled Stereoselective Radical Cyclisation to Arenes Enabled By Metalloredox Biocatalysis“ Wenzhen Fu, Natalia M. Neris, Yue Fu, Yunlong Zhao, Benjamin Krohn-Hansen, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Nature Catalysis 2023, 6, 628–636.

  2. “A Biocatalytic Platform for Asymmetric Alkylation of α-Keto Acids by Mining and Engineering of Methyltransferases“ Shuyun Ju, Kaylee P. Kuzelka, Rui Guo, Benjamin Krohn-Hansen, Jianping Wu, Satish K. Nair* and Yang Yang*, Nature Communications 2023, 14, 5704.

Angel Roman

Third-Year Undergraduate Student

2023 -present: Undergraduate Researcher 

Angel is currently a third year Biochemistry student. He is interested in the field itself because he wants to understand the world he lives in to the best of his ability, and with the knowledge he acquires over the years, he hopes to be able to generate work that will benefit humanity overall. In his free time Angel enjoys playing soccer, going to the gym, reading comic books and going to the theater. 

Michael Bratslavsky

Third-Year Undergraduate Student

2023 - present: Undergraduate Researcher

Michael is a biochemistry major in the College of Letters and Sciences. He is interested in the human body and how it functions on a chemical level. He hopes to apply his knowledge to better the world through his work. In his free time Michael likes to play soccer, go to the gym, and play video games.

Publications:

  1. “Directed Evolution of Class I Aldolases for Cooperative Photobiocatalytic Enantioselective Radical α-Alkylation of Aldehydes“ Quanquan Wang†, Zhiyu Bo†, Michael S. Bratslavsky and Yang Yang*, Journal of the American Chemical Society 2025, ASAP.

Jasper Chen

Third-Year Undergraduate Student

Jasper is a biochemistry major in the College of Letters and Science. He is curious about the fields of biochemistry and enzymology while pursuing a career in medicine. In his spare time, Jasper enjoys drawing, working out, and going to cafes.

Lydia Cumming

Second-Year Undergraduate Student

2025-present

Lydia is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Biochemistry. She is passionate about exploring the chemical processes that govern the human body and is particularly interested in pharmaceutical chemistry as a way to advance healthcare. Lydia aspires to pursue a Ph.D. to deepen her expertise and contribute to scientific research. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, working out at the gym, and reading.

Dr. Wei Huang

Postdoctoral Fellow

2023 - 2025: Postdoctoral Associate

2025 - present: Postdoctoral Fellow

Wei received his PhD from the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry under the direction of Prof. Fanke Meng. Wei’s graduate research focused on the development of cobalt-catalyzed stereoselective C-C bond forming reactions with unsaturated hydrocarbons. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, hiking and photography.

Publications:

  1. “Machine learning-guided co-optimization of fitness and diversity facilitates combinatorial library design in enzyme engineering” Kerr Ding†, Michael Chin†, Yunlong Zhao†, Binh Khanh Mai, Wei Huang, Huanan Wang, Peng Liu*, Yang Yang* and Yunan Luo*, Nature Communications 2024, 15, 6392.

  2. “De Novo Design of Porphyrin-Containing Proteins as Efficient and Stereoselective Catalysts“ Kaipeng Hou†, Wei Huang†, Miao Qi, Thomas H. Tugwell, Turki M. Alturaifi, Yuda Chen, Xingjie Zhang, Lei Lu, Samuel I. Mann, Peng Liu*, Yang Yang* and William F. DeGrado*, Science 2025, 388, 665-670. († denotes equally contributing authors).

  3. Wei Huang, Gessica M. Adornato, Maggie Horst, Turki M. Alturaifi, Kaipeng Hou, Peng Liu*, William F. DeGrado* and Yang Yang* Journal of the American Chemical Society 2025, in press.

Dr. Lei Cheng

Postdoctoral Associate

2022 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Lei received his PhD degree from Nankai University under the direction of Prof. Qi-Lin Zhou (Academician, CAS). At Nankai, he studied nickel-catalyzed hydrofunctionalization of dienes. Outside the lab, he enjoys swimming, playing football, running and reading.

Publications:

  1. “Stereoselective Amino Acid Synthesis by Synergistic Photoredox-Pyridoxal Radical Biocatalysis” Lei Cheng, Dian Li, Binh Khanh Mai, Zhiyu Bo, Lida Cheng, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Science 2023, 381, 444–451.

  2. “Directed Evolution and Unusual Protonation Mechanism of Pyridoxal Radical C–C Coupling Enzymes for the Enantiodivergent Photobiocatalytic Synthesis of Non-Canonical Amino Acids” Lei Cheng, Zhiyu Bo, Benjamin Krohn-Hansen and Yang Yang*, Journal of the American Chemical Society 2025, 147, 4602–4612.

Dr. Huanan Wang

Postdoctoral Associate

2022 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Huanan received his PhD from Fudan University under the direction of Prof. Shengming Ma. At Fudan, Huanan studied transition metal-catalyzed coupling reactions for the asymmetric synthesis of axially-chiral allenes.

Publications:

  1. ”A metalloenzyme platform for catalytic asymmetric radical dearomatization“ Wenzhen Fu, Yue Fu, Yunlong Zhao, Huanan Wang, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Nature Chemistry 2024, 16, 1999–2008.

  2. “Machine learning-guided co-optimization of fitness and diversity facilitates combinatorial library design in enzyme engineering” Kerr Ding†, Michael Chin†, Yunlong Zhao†, Binh Khanh Mai, Wei Huang, Huanan Wang, Peng Liu*, Yang Yang* and Yunan Luo*, Nature Communications 2024, 15, 6392.

Dr. Qingdong Hu

Postdoctoral Associate

2024 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Qingdong received his PhD from the University of Science and Technology of China under the direction of Prof. Chang Guo. His graduate research focused on the development of asymmetric transformations of propargylic alcohol derivatives. Outside the lab, Qingdong enjoys reading and hiking.

Dr. Chen Zhang

Postdoctoral Fellow

2022 - 2024: Postdoctoral Associate

2024 - present: Postdoctoral Fellow

Chen received his PhD from Sichuan University under the direction of Prof. Dawen Niu. At Sichuan university, he focused on carbohydrates chemistry and developed new photoredox methods for glycosylation and carbohydrate functionalization. Outside the lab, he enjoys watching movies and hanging out with his friends.

Publications:

  1. “A Pyridoxal Radical Carboligase and Imine Reductase Photobiocatalytic Cascade for Stereoselective Synthesis of Unnatural Prolines“ Chen Zhang, Jun Zhou, Binh Khanh Mai, Zijun Qin, James Finnigan, Samantha Gittings, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang* Nature Chemistry 2025, DOI: 10.1038/s41557-025-01937-2.

  2. “Diversity-Oriented Photobiocatalytic Synthesis via Stereoselective Three-Component Radical Coupling” Chen Zhang†, Jun Zhou†, Pei-Pei Xie, Silvia M. Rivera, Turki M. Alturaifi, James Finnigan, Simon Charnock, Peng Liu, and Yang Yang*, Science 2025, First Release, DOI: 10.1126/science.adx2935.

Dr. Liu-Peng Zhao

Postdoctoral Associate

2022 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Liupeng received his PhD degree from Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry under the direction of Prof. Yong Tang. In the Tang lab, he focused on the development of [2+2+2] cascade cyclization reactions involving indole derivatives. With these synthetic methods, he completed the total syntheses of several complex indole alkaloids. Outside the lab, he enjoys watching movies and reading.

Publications:

  1. “Enzymes on Steroids“ Liupeng Zhao, Zhiyu Bo and Yang Yang*, Nature Synthesis 2023, 2, 699–700 (invited News & Views).

  2. “Biocatalytic enantioselective C(sp3)–H fluorination enabled by directed evolution of nonheme Fe enzymes“ Liu-Peng Zhao, Binh Khanh Mai, Lida Cheng, Fangqiu Gao, Yunlong Zhao, Rui Guo, Hao Wu, Yongda Zhang, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Nature Synthesis 2024, 3, 967–975.

  3. “Cooperative Photometallobiocatalysis: Nonheme Fe Enzyme-Catalyzed Enantioconvergent Radical Decarboxylative Azidation, Thiocyanation and Isocyanation of Redox-Active Esters” Liu-Peng Zhao, Ken Lin, Pei-Pei Xie, Huichong Liu, Hengye Xiang, Xin Liu, Yunlong Zhao, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2025, e202506361.

  4. “Nonheme Fe 1,3-Nitrogen Migratases for Asymmetric Noncanonical Amino Acid Synthesis“ Liu-Peng Zhao, Huichong Liu, Binh Khanh Mai, Yu Zhang, Lida Cheng, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Nature Chemical Biology 2025, published online.

  5. “Rate-Determining Step and Enantioselectivity Switch in Nonheme Fe Enzyme-Catalyzed Nitrogen Migration: Directed Evolution of Isopenicillin N Synthases for Asymmetric Non-Canonical Amino Acid Synthesis“ Ken Lin†, Liu-Peng Zhao†, Shengchun Wang†, Huichong Liu, Yu Zhang, Binh Khanh Mai, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, 2025, submitted.

Dr. Xiao-Wang Chen

Postdoctoral Associate

2024 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Xiaowang received his PhD from Sichuan University under the direction of Prof. Da-Gang Yu. Xiaowang’s graduate research focused on catalytic asymmetric synthesis with CO2. Outside the lab, he enjoys hiking and hanging out with his friends.

Publications:

  1. “Artificial Boron Enzymes“ Xiao-Wang Chen, Zhiyu Bo, and Yang Yang*, Nature Chemical Biology 2024, 20, 1106–1107 (invited News & Views article).

Dr. An Liu
Postdoctoral Associate
2024 - present: Postdoctoral Associate
An received his PhD degree from Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry under the direction of Prof. Jinbo Hu. His graduate research focused on the use of TMSCF2Br as the sole fluorocarbon source in diverse aldehyde functionalization reactions, particularly via controllable fluorocarbon chain elongation.

Publications:

  1. “Diastereo- and Enantioselective Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Chiral Tricyclic Intermediate of Anti-HIV Drug Lenacapavir” Wenzhen Fu†, An Liu† and Yang Yang*, ACS Catalysis 2025, 15, 2045–2052. († denotes equal contribution).

  2. “Catalytic Enantioselective Smiles Rearrangement Enabled by the Directed Evolution of P450 Radical Aryl Migratases” Wenzhen Fu, Katherina Murcek, Jasper Chen, An Liu, Yunlong Zhao, Peng Liu* and Yang Yang*, Journal of the American Chemical Society 2025, 147, 12197–12205.

  3. “Imine Reductase-Catalyzed, Radical-Mediated Asymmetric Cyano Group Migration“ An Liu and Yang Yang*, Journal of the American Chemical Society 2025, in revision.

Dr. Cheng Sheng

Postdoctoral Associate

2024 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Cheng received his PhD from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) under the direction of Prof. Wanbin Zhang. At SJTU, Cheng studied Cu-catalyzed asymmetric addition reactions for the synthesis of chiral amines. Outside the lab, he enjoys hiking, swimming, reading poems.

Dr. Qi Zhang

Postdoctoral Associate

2025-present: Postdoctoral Associate

Qi received his PhD degree from Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry under the direction of Prof. Liang Yin. His graduate research mainly focused on the development of Cu-catalyzed asymmetric allylation reactions. Outside the lab, he enjoys fishing and playing basketball.

Dr. Tim Ke

Postdoctoral Associate

2025 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Tim earned his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in 2025 under the mentorship of Prof. Eric M. Ferreira, specializing in the total synthesis of gelsemium alkaloids and ketohydroperoxide species. Beyond the lab, he enjoys powerlifting and critically evaluating research papers.

Publications:

  1. “Threonine Aldolase-Catalyzed Stereoselective Radical α-Alkylation of Amino Acids“ Tim Ke and Yang Yang*, Methods in Enzymology 2025, DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2025.08.014.

Dr. Cangxin Zheng

Postdoctoral Associate

2025 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Cangxin received his PhD from Peking University (School of Pharmaceutical Sciences) in 2025 under the supervision of Prof. De-Cai Xiong. At Peking University, He focused on carbohydrate chemistry and developed new methods for stereoselective glycosylation based on glycals. Outside the lab, Cangxin enjoys reading and swimming.

Dr. Hongda Chen

Postdoctoral Associate

2025 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Hongda received his PhD from the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry in 2025 under the direction of Prof. Xiaoming Wang. His graduate research focused on transition-metal-catalyzed carbene transformations. Outside the lab, Hongda enjoys playing video games and watching movies.

Dr. Long Dinh

Postdoctoral Associate

October 2025 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Long Dinh grew up in Vinh Long, Vietnam, and moved to the United States at the age of 15. He earned his B.S. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of South Alabama under the mentorship of Prof. Larry Yet and completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry at The Ohio State University with Prof. Christo Sevov. His doctoral research focused on developing electrochemical methodologies for cross-electrophile coupling (XEC) reactions, integrating high-throughput experimentation (HTE) to accelerate discovery and optimization. Outside the lab, Long enjoys watching anime and playing video games.

Dr. Fang Chen

Postdoctoral Associate

October 2025 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Fang completed his PhD studies in 2025 under the tutelage of Prof. Hans Renata, starting at Scripps Florida and subsequently relocating to Rice University. His graduate research was focused on the chemoenzymatic total synthesis of limonoids. Fang enjoys progressive rock music and anime in his free time.

Dr. Xuejiao Lyu

Postdoctoral Associate

October 2025 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Xuejiao received her PhD from Ocean University of China under the direction of Prof. Yankai Liu. Her graduate research focused on the synthesis of chiral cyclic acetal and aminal scaffolds by asymmetric organocatalysis. Outside the lab, Xuejiao enjoys riding motorcycles, hanging out with friends, and keeping tortoises.

Dr. Yu Tian

Postdoctoral Associate

November 2025 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Yu received his PhD from Southern University of Science and Technology under the direction of Prof. Xin-Yuan Liu. His graduate research focused on the copper-catalyzed radical-mediated asymmetric cross-coupling reactions. Outside the lab, Yu enjoys reading and hiking.

Dr. Zhiyang Li

Postdoctoral Associate

November 2025 - present: Postdoctoral Associate

Zhiyang received his PhD degree from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology under the direction of Prof. Jianwei Sun. At HKUST, he studied organocatalytic asymmetric α-functionalization of carbonyl compounds. Outside the lab, he enjoys watching movies and reading.