Research background
Dr. Joshua Moon is an experimentalist whose work aligns at the intersection between membrane separations, polymer chemistry, and polymer physics. His research experience includes developing new synthetic strategies for gas and water separation membranes and using cutting-edge experimental tools to reveal how polymer functionality and structure control gas, water, and ion transport in polymers at both molecular and microscopic scales. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Florida, Dr. Moon worked as a post-doctorate researcher at UCSB under the guidance of Drs. Craig Hawker and Rachel Segalman where he worked on ion selective membranes. He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow and Harrington Graduate Fellow under the mentorship of Drs. Benny Freeman and Donald Paul where he worked on gas separation membranes. He received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering at University of Alabama where he worked with Dr. Jason Bara on ionic liquids for CO2 separations.
Awards
Dr. Moon has received the North American Membrane Society Young Membrane Scientist Award (2024), the North American Membrane Society Student Fellowship Award (2018), the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2016), the Donald D. Harrington Fellowship (2014), and the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (2013).
PI: Joshua Moon, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor in Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida (2023-present)
Affiliate Graduate Faculty in Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida
UF Water Institute Affiliate
UF Center for Macromolecular Science and Engineering Affiliate
Educational background
Post-doc in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2019-2022)
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin (2019)
B.S. in Chemical Engineering from The University of Alabama (2014)
Current Ph.D. students
Ryan Johnson
B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University (2022)
Ryan is working to develop advanced materials to address the growing energy crisis. His project is focused on using modular synthetic tools to install “clickable” functional groups into membranes to impart high permeability and selectivity towards CO2 for promoting efficient carbon capture.
Ryan completed his Bachelor’s in chemical engineering at Texas A&M University where he worked with Dr. Mark Hotlzapple to develop new ways to produce biofuels, starting Ryan’s interest in academic research. In the summer of 2021, Ryan had the opportunity to work as an REU student at the University of Florida in Dr. Ranga Narayanan’s lab studying the theory of hydrodynamic instabilities. Through this experience Ryan solidified his choice in graduate school and enrolled at UF for the fall of 2022 and subsequently joined the Moon lab. When not in lab, Ryan enjoys hiking with his wife and two dogs as well as training for and running triathlons with the UF triathlon team.
Lakshay Dhamania
M.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Florida (2023)
B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University School of Chemical Technology, India (2021)
Lakshay is developing novel polymer adsorbents and membranes for remediation of water resources, particularly the capture and removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
“My motivation to keep studying and stay connected to my field made me move to the University of Florida in 2021 for my master's in chemical engineering where I started working with Dr. Vasenkov to investigate and quantize diffusion of gases in MMM (mixed matrix membranes) using PFG NMR. This work greatly inspired me to continue my graduate studies and devote more time to research on soft materials and this encouraged me to enroll as a Ph.D. scholar at UF under Dr. Joshua Moon. I like to eat well and work out so if not in the lab you can find me at the gym or a restaurant.”
Danielle Loftis
B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines (2023)
Danielle is working on synthesizing novel PIM membranes and investigating correlations between polymer structure, dynamics, and gas transport properties
Danielle completed her bachelor’s in chemical engineering at Colorado School of Mines where she participated in an undergraduate led research group where she worked with blood bots to attempt to convert type A blood to type O blood. Here, Danielle found a liking for research and the want to continue in her academic pursuit for a graduate degree in chemical engineering. During her studies, she found an interest in polymers and separations. Along with her innate interest in electrochemical engineering, she decided to enroll in the University of Florida in 2023 to continue her academic career and joined the Moon lab. When she is not in lab, she enjoys going on walks and drinking coffee in a cafe.
Akhilesh Upasani
Integrated M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from ICT Mumbai's Bhubaneswar Campus (2023)
Akhilesh is working on an NSF project using Pulsed-Field Gradient (PFG) NMR to study CO2 self-diffusion in facilitated transport membranes.
Prior to joining UF, Akhilesh completed his Integrated MTech in chemical engineering from ICT Mumbai's Bhubaneswar Campus. For his MTech thesis, he worked on developing heat transfer fluid using Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs). The scope of his work was to develop heat transfer fluid that is as efficient as the ones that are used commercially but is easier to synthesize and is environmentally friendly.
Akhilesh is interested in aligning his efforts with United Nations SDG goals 9, 11, and 13. When not in the lab, he enjoys traveling and playing indoor as well as outdoor sports.
Woochul Kwak
M.E. in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science from Chung-Ang University (2023)
B.E. in Materials Science and Engineering from Hoseo University (2019)
Woochul is working on an NSF project on transport mechanisms in ultrathin macrocycle membranes for gas separations.
Woochul did several research projects related to gas separation and capture using zeolite membranes during master's studies, which sparked his interest in the fields of separation and energy. Woochul realized his passion to continue exploring this field which led him to enroll in the University of Florida and join the Moon lab. When he is not in the lab, you can probably find him working out in the gym or taking a nap somewhere around campus.
Current Masters students
Xinhe Liu
Current undergraduate researchers
Zoe Reddecliff
Zoe Reddecliff is an undergraduate student in chemical engineering minoring in materials science and engineering. They aim to address the climate crisis through research in Dr. Moon’s lab developing polymeric membranes for carbon capture and PFAS removal. In the Summer of 2022, Zoe had the opportunity to study abroad in Osnabrück, Germany where she learned about sustainability in engineering and planning and conducted research on plasma surface treatment of polymers. In the future, Zoe hopes to work with renewable energy, beginning with an internship at NextEra Energy in the Summer of 2023. They are very involved in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, serving as Secretary of the UF chapter in Spring 2023. In their free time, Zoe enjoys crocheting, hula hooping, and tending to her plants.
Rebecca Vosilla
Rebecca is majoring in chemical engineering and minoring in Spanish. She is passionate about using chemistry to solve pressing current issues and is interested in the Moon lab’s work with polymer synthesis for PFAS separation from water. In the future, she is also interested in working with renewable energy such as solar and geothermal. She is involved with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and is excited to serve as Mentor Mentee coordinator in the spring 2024 semester to help spread her passion for the discipline. She was part of UF’s ChemE Car team, energy generation and storage. In her free time, Rebecca loves to bake, play the piano, and do crossword or sudoku puzzles.
Molly Wannamaker
Molly is an undergraduate student from Jacksonville, Florida studying Chemical Engineering and minoring in Economics. She is interested in polymer chemistry and materials science, as well as the applications of organic synthesis in engineering projects. She has enjoyed manipulating and testing membrane properties through her research in Dr. Moon's lab. She recently studied abroad in Rome, Italy through an engineering program and now serves as a Peer Advisor for the University of Florida International Center. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors.
Faith Dobias
Faith Dobias is an undergraduate student majoring in Chemical Engineering, driven by a passion to address global energy and environmental challenges. She is particularly interested in exploring innovative solutions, exemplified by the research conducted in the Moon lab which involves synthesizing novel polymer membranes for enhanced gas separation. Outside of the lab, she is actively involved in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and serves as a Chemical Engineering Peer Advisor, which enables her to support and mentor fellow students. In her free time, Faith enjoys going on walks with her dog and traveling.
Ethan Kermis
Jingru (Sunny) Tan
Alexandra Layton
Julia Holman
Moon group alumni
Siqi Wang (M.S. in Chemical Engineering, 2024) - PhD student at UT Austin
Nathaniel Rudman (B.S. in Chemical Engineering, 2024) - RoviSys Building Technologies
Karim El Hajj Sleiman (B.S. in Chemical Engineering, 2024) - Kimley Horn