People

Director
	Paul Anastas, Ph.D. Director Teresa and H. John Heinz III Professor in the Practice of Chemistry for the Environment Paul T. Anastas is the Teresa and H. John Heinz III Professor in the Practice of Chemistry for the Environment. He has appointments in the School of the Environment, Department of Chemistry, and Department of Chemical Engineering. In addition, Prof. Anastas serves as the Director of the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering at Yale.

Deputy Director
	Julie B. Zimmerman, Ph.D. Deputy Director Vice Provost for Planetary Solutions Professor in School of Engineering & Applied Science Professor in School of the Environment

Senior Staff
	Hanno Erythropel, Ph.D. Research Scientist - Hanno supports the oversight of research at the Center. He is passionate about building interdisciplinary bridges between chemistry, chemical engineering, material science, toxicology, and other disciplines to create green chemistry solutions using a systems thinking framework. His work has focused on valorizing different types of biomass, developing highly functional yet biodegradable and non-toxic materials such as plasticizers, and better understanding the composition and content of tobacco products. - Outside of the lab, Hanno enjoys exploring new places and countries and learning about local language and culture. Hanno is also an avid bike-rider.
	Predrag Petrovic, Ph.D. Associate Research Scientist - Predrag obtained a Ph.D. degree in organometallic chemistry by applying experimental and theoretical approaches to studying non-covalent interactions in organometallic complexes. In 2017 he joined the Center where his main research focus is setting a foundation for the methodology that will help safer chemical design that complies with the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry by using various computational tools (DFT, ab initio, etc.). - In his free time, Predrag loves reading sci-fi and fantasy books, riding a bike, taking long walks and (not-so-long) hikes, and very occasionally playing video games .
	Brooke DeRosa Financial Administrator -Brooke provides financial, budgetary, and operational support to the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, with a focus on the Yale-UNIDO project (Global GreenChem Innovation and Network Programme). Her prior experience includes public accounting audits of manufacturing and service sector clients, and management of financial reporting and development of budgets in the hospitality industry. -Her interests include sourdough bread baking, outdoor activities like tennis and gardening, and volunteer work with individuals experiencing food insecurity.
	Margaret Kerr, Ph.D. Visiting Professor, Director of Education Green Chemistry for Climate and Sustainability Certificate Program - Margaret has been researching and implementing green chemistry practices into a variety of educational arenas nationally and internationally. She has developed curriculum to explore the interconnected nature of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Green Chemistry principles using a systems thinking approach. She received two Fulbright grants (2007, 2023) to promote green chemistry in education and industry in Thailand. - Outside of the lab Margaret is a nationally-ranked competitive fencer in her age group, an avid flower gardener and dog walking enthusiast.
	Heidi Vollmer-Snarr, Ph.D. Director, International Green Chemistry Consortium - Heidi serves as Director of the International Green Chemistry Consortium (IGCC), a global collaborative dedicated to developing and accelerating innovative research in sustainable chemistry. In this role, she convenes targeted workshops to shape research strategies, builds integrated, transdisciplinary research programs, and coordinates worldwide communication and implementation. Through the integration of synthesis, catalysis, spectroscopy, materials science, physics, and data‑driven approaches, the IGCC advances scalable solutions for safer, higher‑performing, lower‑energy chemical processes for the design and development of chemicals and materials with real‑world impact.
	Lars Ratjen, Ph.D. Associate Research Scientist - Lars likes changing places and learning things from nature and people. Before coming to Yale in 2022 he spent almost 9 years in Chile, working for Fraunhofer, at the interface of academia and industry. He is focused on interdisciplinary projects, ranging from chemistry over engineering to environmental health. He is also involved in helping other countries in sustainable development in the Yale-UNIDO initiative, which he is very passionate about. - Out of the lab Lars enjoys watersports, cooking and trying new food, reading pretty much anything and he is an occasional artisan. There are (almost) no animals he does not like.

Students
	Humayra Binte Asheque *MESc Student, Yale School of the Environment*
	Elena Bouldin *Undergraduate Researcher*
	Layra Souza *MESc Student, Yale School of the Environment*
	Remi Mellinghoff *Undergraduate Researcher*
	Tobias Muellers, (he/him) Ph.D. Student at the Yale School of the Environment - Tobias is interested in the intersection of toxicology and chemistry, as well as advancing safer chemical design. Within the Center, he utilizes computational chemistry and statistical techniques to enable the rational design of safer chemicals. Prior to Yale, he dabbled in analytical and synthetic chemistry and worked as an environmental chemist conducting chemical hazard assessments. - Tobias loves spending time in nature for just about any reason (e.g., hiking, biking, running, canoeing), cooking and baking, and reading.
	Javier Alcantar Undergraduate Researcher
	Andrew Champlin, (he/him/his) Ph.D. Student at the Yale Department of Chemistry - Andrew is interested in applying the tools of synthetic organic chemistry to promote and develop green chemistry practices into industrial technologies used to combat climate change. Prior to joining the Center for Green Chemistry & Green Engineering at Yale in 2024, Andrew gained experience as a synthetic organic chemist in academic labs which he aims to use in a career dedicated to green chemistry and sustainability. - Outside the lab, Andrew enjoys reading, playing video games, hiking, and cooking.
	Eileen Ai Lin Zhang Ph.D. Student at the Yale School of the Environment - Eileen collaborates with the Global Green Chemistry Innovation and Network Program to advance understanding of how innovation ecosystem development can accelerate the adoption of green chemistry. Her work focuses on identifying strategies that support sustainable chemical transitions by strengthening partnerships, fostering innovation, and enabling the conditions necessary for safer, more sustainable chemical design and implementation worldwide.
	Alyssa Toussaint *Undergraduate Researcher*
	Jesse Zhong *Undergraduate Researcher*
	Dylan Judd, (he/him/his) Ph.D. Student at the Yale School of the Environment -Dylan is interested in promoting sustainable advances at every stage of materials science, ranging from the utilization of flow chemistry in synthesis efforts to the equitable implementation and associated impacts of climate-centered technologies. Dylan received both his B.A. in Chemistry and Environmental Studies and his M.A. in Chemistry from Wesleyan University while conducting research on plasmon-mediated nanoparticle production and reconfiguration. Dylan joined the Center for Green Chemistry & Green Engineering at Yale in 2023 with the hope that he can use his interdisciplinary perspective to bring novel insights to the variety of research questions with which the Center is concerned. -Outside of the lab, Dylan loves to read, do crossword puzzles, and play sports, such as baseball and volleyball. You may also find him listening to all types of music on his turntable or over his headphones.
	Lucas Bertucci, (he/him) Ph.D. Student at the Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering - Lucas is interested in enabling sustainability and supply chain resiliency through the recovery of materials from neglected wastes. His speciality is extractive metallurgy which he applies to recycling solar panels and electronic waste. By leveraging synergies from addressing multiple planetary challenges, Lucas seeks to actualize a holistic solution that successfully encompasses environmental, social, and economic dimensions. He is also the co-founder of Verdant Beneficated Resources and American Solar Recycling. Prior to joining the Center for Green Chemistry & Green Engineering in 2026, Lucas was a member of Yale's Energy Sciences Institute. - Outside of the lab, Lucas enjoys painting and photography and is an avid fan of the New England Patriots. He also loves music and attending concerts.
	Gabriel Gonsalves Bertho *Ph.D. Candidate, Environmental Engineering*

Research Staff
	Rachel Broughton, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Associate Rachel is a Postdoctoral Researcher whose work focuses on advancing scientific approaches to understanding chemical mixtures and their impacts. She previously completed an ORISE fellowship at the U.S. EPA’s Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, where she developed and applied mathematical methods to study complex chemical interactions. Through her research, Rachel contributes to strengthening the scientific foundation of safer chemical design and supports the broader mission of advancing innovation in environmental health and green chemistry.