Meet the team!
Keen to join us? Are you an undergraduate student, graduate student or post-doc interested in joining the Clemons Lab? If so reach out on email to discuss current opportunities
Meet Tristan Clemons, PhD.
I am a research scientist establishing my team in the focus areas of polymer chemistry, supramolecular assembly and biomaterials for therapeutic applications, starting at the University of Southern Mississippi in the Fall of 2021. Prior to this I was a research associate at Northwestern University (Advisor: Prof. Sam Stupp), and a National Health and Medical Research Council fellow investigating nanomaterials for the treatment of burn injuries at the University of Western Australia. In a past life I was an elite athlete, playing hockey on the international stage with the Australian Hockey team. I am an entrepreneur, founding and running a successful startup company in sun-smart fashion. I am a volunteer and advocate for science outreach exciting thousands of students about the possibilities of a career in science and through work as an ambassador for the Rotary Foundation’s Microscope in Schools project. Finally, I am a family man, an avid sports fan (Go Eagles!) and an amateur knitter.
Meet Penelope Jankoski (Grad Student)
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky.
Favorite Food: Tuna Poke.
Favorite Movie: Bohemian Rhapsody.
Fun fact: I like to do yoga and bake.
Meet Windfield Swetman
(Grad Student)
Hometown: Biloxi, MS
Favorite food: Pulled Pork
Favorite movie: Inception
Fun fact: When I was 5 years old I published a children’s book called “The Math Mouse” to sell to raise money for one of my friends who was diagnosed with cancer.
Meet Evan Stacy
(Grad Student)
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky.
Favorite food: Tuna Poke Bowl or Sushi.
Favorite movie: Shutter Island.
Fun fact: I’m a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Meet Burcu Balaban (Grad Student)
Hometown: Istanbul, Turkey
Favorite Food: Rice stuffed grape leaves
Favorite Movie: Ice Age
Fun fact: When I was a child, my grandfather and I had a stamp collection together.
Meet Harrison Livingston
(Grad Student)
Hometown: Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite movie: Interstellar
Fun fact: I have traveled to over 7 countries and hope to visit more.
Meet Sarah Crowsey
(Graduate Student)
Hometown: Charlottesville, Virginia.
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Movie: Aliens
Fun fact: I crochet amigurumi in my spare time!
Meet Jess Shrestha
(Senior, Undergrad)
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Favorite Food: Mo:mo
Favorite Movie: Escape room
Fun fact: I can probably knit you a sweater within a month
Meet Tristen Werner
(Junior, Undergrad)
Hometown: Kissimmee, Florida.
Favorite Food: Steak and Eggs
Favorite Movie: Interstellar
Fun fact: I worked as a vascular surgical tech in Interventional Radiology before coming back to school for Polymer Science and Engineering.
Meet Ashe Davis
(Junior, Undergrad) & Beckman Scholar
Hometown: Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Favorite Food: Grilled Chicken and Potatoes
Favorite Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Fun fact: I travelled to Canada with the Mississippi All State Lions Band!
Meet Jillian Porter
(Sophomore, Undergrad)
Hometown: Brookhaven, MS
Favorite Food: Garlic parmesan chicken wings
Favorite Movie: The Truman Show
Fun fact: I copiloted a plane when I was 16!