Graduate Students
Saimon Shahriar (Chemical Engineering PhD student)
I am from Dhaka, Bangladesh. I have a B. Pharm. and an M. Pharm. from the University of Dhaka. I am currently studying the flow properties of polymer nanocomposites. I love reading mysteries, watching movies and series, and exploring new places with my wife.
Negin Safaei Hashkavaei (Biomedical Engineering PhD student)
Negin Safaei Hashkavaei obtained her B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology- Genetics in 2019 and M.Sc. in Biochemistry at Protein Research Center at Shahid Beheshti University in 2022. Afterwards, she studied in Quantitative and Systems Biology at UC Merced as a graduate student. In 2025, Negin started her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at Syracuse University under the guidance of Dr. Aponte-Rivera. Her research interests are combination of scaling theory and molecular dynamics simulations.
Hayden Snyders (Co-advised, Stony Brook University Chemistry PhD student)
Hayden Snyders earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Saint Louis University in the spring of 2022 where he studied multivalent cation crosslinking of alginate hydrogels. As a PhD student in the Aponte-Rivera lab, Hayden studies computational modeling techniques for Tau protein and its effect in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Undergraduate Students
Agnese Karen Gamarra (Bio-inspired REU student from Ramapo college of NJ)
Agnese Karen Gamarra is a rising junior studying Engineering Physics at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Karen is an NSF REU intern this summer studying the impact of phosphorylated variants on Tau protein using molecular dynamic simulations. She enjoys going to concerts, dancing, and trying new things
Max Vidakovic (Chemical Engineering Bachelor’s student)
Max Vidakovic is a Chemical Engineering major at Syracuse University. He has been in the group since Fall 2025. His research project is studying the shape of polyelectrolytes using molecular dynamics simulations. In his free time, Max enjoys swimming, spending time with his friends and family, and playing games.
Gordi Tafa (Chemical Engineering Bachelor’s student)
My name is Gordi Tafa, and I am a junior studying Chemical Engineering at Syracuse University. Originally from Albania, I am just starting my undergraduate research experience in the lab. When I’m not focused on my studies, I enjoy playing and watching sports. After graduation, I plan to continue my education by pursuing a master’s degree in chemical or process engineering.
Aponte-Rivera Lab 