Current Lab Members
Chris Kim received his A.B. in geology from Princeton University and his Ph.D. in geological and environmental sciences from Stanford University. Following a joint post-doctoral research appointment with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and UC Berkeley, he joined the Chapman University faculty where he is currently professor of earth and environmental sciences and associate dean of academic programs in the sciences. His research interests include arsenic speciation and distribution in abandoned mine lands and the reactive properties of iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles. He is a recipient of an NSF-CAREER award for early career faculty as well as the Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award based on “accomplishment in scholarly research with undergraduates, as well as a compelling commitment to teaching”.
Ratish Ragavendiran graduated from Chapman in 2024 with a degree in Applied Human Physiology with a minor in English. He joined the lab in the spring of 2023 and works as the lab manager. I have been studying the bioaccessibility of mine wastes due to weathering and time. Ratish’s career goal is to attend medical school and become a Cardiologist!
Cristina Inboden is a fourth-year Health Sciences and French double major. She joined the lab in the fall of 2o23. In the lab, she studies the rate of adsorption and desorption of various types of salts to iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles. At Chapman, Cristina served as the Crean College Senator for the Student Government Association, she is a member of the Women’s soccer team, she is a Tour Guide for the Office of Admission, and she is part of the Chapman First Aid Team.
Lea Vetter is in her third year as a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major with a minor in English. She joined the lab in the fall of 2023, where her research focused on studying the bioaccessibility of arsenic in mine waste particles and its correlation to spatial distribution. At Chapman, Lea is also a Beckman scholar and involved in the Schmid Student Leadership Council, an executive member of ASBMB, and a CUE Student Scholar Ambassador.
Miguel Olivas is a third-year chemistry major with a minor in electrical engineering. He joined the KEG lab during the summer of 2023. In the lab, he works with ion-selective electrodes characterizing copper ions’ adsorption and desorption rate to iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles. At Chapman, Miguel is apart of the promising future and first-generationn ambassadors, Schmid Student Leadership Council (SSLC) and a CUE student ambassador.
Elena Skender is a senior majoring in Environmental Science and Policy with an Art minor. She has been working in the KEG lab since January 2024. and the project she is working on measures the bioaccessibility of arsenic from samples taken from the Empire Mine. Outside of research, Elena plays for Chapman’s women’s water polo team.
Janelle Jacques is a third-year chemistry major with a minor in Political Science. She joined the lab in the spring of 2024 and has focused on the creation and analysis of nanoparticles.
Mia Gabriel is a second-year Health Sciences major on the Pre-Physician Assistant track. She joined the KEG lab in the Spring of 2025 and is excited to get involved in the lab. Outside of research, Mia plays for the Women’s Lacrosse team and is a Morgan’s Message campus ambassador.
Victoria Peterson is a second-year Health Sciences major on a Pre-Physician Assistant track with an emphasis in Leadership. Victoria joined the KEG lab in the Spring of 2025 and is enthusiastic to further her involvement. At Chapman, she is a member of the Health Sciences Student Leadership Council, the Red Cross Club, and the Pre-PA Club.
Matthew Ampanyuth is a third-year Applied Human Physiology major in the applied clinical physiology track. He joined the KEG lab in the spring of 2025 and is excited to explore research in the lab. His goals are to attend medical school and become an ER physician.