Meet the Team
Alison Fout | principal investigator
BS Gannon University | MS UNC Charlotte | PhD Indiana University | Postdoc Harvard University
The lab recently moved! What drew you to Texas A&M? Fantastic students, excellent colleagues, collegial atmosphere, and awesome infrastructure.
What’s your approach to mentoring students? I try to gauge my approach on the student; some students want to talk science daily, others want a more hands-off approach and will talk to me when they need to. Either way, I try to cater my mentoring style to what students need. This is hard, but happy students are productive students.
What’s the most rewarding part of research? Seeing an idea come to fruition and watching the students bring those ideas to life. Interacting with students on a daily basis and seeing them grow from a pair of hands in the lab into a colleague is what makes this job so special.
After a long day, what’s the best way to relax? Relax? I am almost always on the move between work and my husband, two kids, and two dogs, but if I finally get a chance to just sit down, I love to read. And I enjoy when my students suggest books to read that they have enjoyed. It gives me insight into them and they are almost always very good books.
Shourya Gupta | Postdoctoral Research associate
Ph.D. in chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvanthapuram, 2023
What drew you to the Fout group? I read papers from the Fout group during my Ph.D. and have always found the chemistry very interesting. All the lab members are really nice and helpful. Alison is very caring and gives the freedom to do science and learn in one's own way. So all of the above drew me to the Fout lab!
What’s always on your Spotify playlist? Songs by A. R. Rahman
What is your ideal vacation spot? The beach
Contact: sgupta116@tamu.edu
Erick Nuñez Bahena | Postdoctoral Research associate
Ph.D. in chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 2023
What drew you to the Fout group? The variety of research areas covered in the Fout lab. Also, I really like how the group uses a variety of techniques and tools that complement each other to answer interesting research questions.
What’s always on your Spotify playlist? Mostly speed metal, although I also enjoy listening to indie rock.
What is your ideal vacation spot? Anywhere where delicious food is readily available
Contact: ericknb@tamu.edu
Jewel Moore | Third year
BS in chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 2021
What drew you to the Fout group? I knew I wanted to join a group that values green chemistry, but what really drew me were the students! I love being in a group that values collaboration and friendliness.
What do you enjoy about research? While research is structured to an extent, there is so much room for exploration and discovery. Every day in lab looks different, so I never get bored!
Do you have any pets? Yes! My little zoo consists of my three dogs, Franklin (who sometimes makes guest appearances in lab), Cherry, and Tobias, and my cat, Catherine. They're my little rocks.
Contact: jmmoore@tamu.edu.
Brennan Vaught | Third year
BS in chemistry, minor in visual arts, Hampden-Sydney College, 2021
What drew you to the Fout group? The group checked all my boxes--interesting and impactful research, a PI that cares about their grad students and not just their research, and a close-knit group of coworkers.
What do you enjoy about research? I enjoy the interface of many fields and using techniques within those fields to solve problems, answer questions, etc.
What's always on your Spotify most-played? Simply, a variety. I tend to listen to a lot of the Grateful Dead, Goose, or Widespread Panic but also a lot of indie and southern rock.
Contact: bvaught3@tamu.edu
Nir Kadosh | Second year
BS in chemistry, The Ohio State University, 2022
What drew you to the Fout group? Alison's research background and future focuses were incredibly interesting to me, but the thing that sealed the deal was the group dynamic!
What’s your research background? Analytical spectroscopy, with a focus on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. I performed spectroelectochemical experiments at my undergrad.
Do you have any pets? I have a pug named Stella.
Contact: kadosh2018@tamu.edu
Hsien-Liang Cho | Second year
BS in chemistry, National Tsing Hus University, 2019 | MS, National Taiwan University, 2021
What drew you to the Fout group? The great group dynamic attracted me and also the reduction of oxyanions was pretty cool.
What got you interested in synthesis? I like to create!! I think chemists are like magicians. We can construct anything we imagine. That is the power of synthesis.
What's your ideal vacation spot? Iceland. I really want to see the northern lights and icebergs at some point in my life. Although it's pretty cold in Iceland, I think it's still worth going there to enjoy the wonderful scenery.
Contact: hlcho1001@tamu.edu
Amritha | Second year
BS in chemistry, MS, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, 2022
What drew you to the Fout group? Inclusivity and group dynamics were strong factors, as well as the chemistry. I wanted to be in a place where I felt a sense of belonging.
What do you enjoy about research? I love the journey. Days we try and do not progress much in research. Then learning more and more. One day that missing idea pops in your mind and it works!!! I love that.
What's always on your Spotify most-played? Mostly regional language songs, along with K-pop (BLACKPINK) and drama OSTs too.
Contact: amrithasajeevan@tamu.edu
Shrivignesh S | Second year
BS in chemistry, MS, Indian Institute of Science, 2022
What drew you to the Fout group? The enthusiasm of the graduate students drew me in, and also I love the modularity of the tripodal ligands.
What got you interested in synthesis? The idea of combining seemingly unrelated molecules to see them fall in place together attracted me.
What's always on your Spotify most-played? Lost stars - Keira Knightly.
Contact: shrivigneshs@tamu.edu
Laura Hubler | First year
B.S Chemistry & B.S. Forensic Science (2022), M.S. Chemistry (2023), Western Carolina University
What drew you to the Fout group? What drew me to the group was the inclusivity and the overall happiness of the members. Alison and the current graduate students have cultivated an environment for exceptional learning and growth, and I wanted to be part of it so I can become a better chemist!
What’s your ideal vacation spot? My ideal vacation spot is Ireland, I have always wanted to visit! All the historical landmarks and amount of hiking and beautiful scenery has always appealed to me!
What's always on your Spotify most-played? Post Malone
Contact: laura_hubler@tamu.edu
Elizabeth March | First year
B.S. in Chemistry from Arizona State University, 2023
What drew you to the Fout group? I was interested in the Fout group and their research before I even applied to Texas A&M, but the group dynamic and the people are what ultimately drew me to the group!
What’s your ideal vacation spot? Either Ireland or Scotland. There is so much history to learn about and the countrysides of each seem gorgeous.
What's always on your Spotify most-played? My music taste can go from Taylor Swift to something like Queen really quickly but recently I've been listening to Taylor Swift on repeat.
Contact: emarch.01@tamu.edu
Aishee De | First year
MSc Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, 2023
What drew you to the Fout group? Alison’s Genuine care for her students, the collaborative environment and the group dynamics!
Do you have any pets? Yes, I also have a deep love for cats and dogs
What's your ideal vacation spot? the hills! I find their calming influence very appealing
Contact: aishee1999@tamu.edu
Soumyalika Chowdhury | First year
BS and MS in Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science education and Research Kolkata, 2023
What drew you to the Fout group? The collaborative work environment- the group dynamics along with the research of the group were the key factors that drew me to the group
What’s always on your Spotify playlist? Mostly the Coke studio songs
What's your ideal vacation spot? I love the hills. I feel that the serenity and the calmness of the hills is perfect for a break from your work and to feel re-energised
Contact: sc18ms058@tamu.edu
Lindsey Elford | Undergraduate
Senior, BS Biomedical sciences, Texas A&M, 2024
What drew you to the Fout group? The bio inspired aspects to the group really interested me, and the student were all so friendly! I felt it was a great fit for my interest in biology and chemistry.
Do you have any pets? I have one tortie cat named Pippi!
What drew you to chemistry? I really enjoy the trial and error process in research. It's very exciting to work through different ideas on one project and maybe discover something new while doing it!
Megan Hardy | Undergraduate
Junior, BS Chemistry, minor in Biology, Texas A&M, 2025
What drew you to chemistry? Chemistry is so fascinating as it deals with these tiny molecules whose roles and abilities are the reason that we have and experience the world around us. From materials to medicine, everyday we depend on chemistry for our lives. Chemistry has allowed me to appreciate the principles that guide our world and see the Lord's magnificent design in the universe and each individual!
Do you have any pets? I have one tortie cat named Pippi!
What is your ideal vacation spot? I’ve always dreamed of going to Italy to see the beautiful, historical sites and eat authentic Italian food!
Cassandra
Keeping the vibes fresh