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 interim dean of the Schmid College of Science and Technology. His research interests include arsenic contamination in abandoned mine lands, the reactive properties of iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles, and lead enrichment in ash-impacted soils from wildland-urban interface wildfires. He is a recipient of an NSF-CAREER award 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 currently works as the lab manager. He has 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!
Lea Vetter is in her fourth 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 fourth 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.
Mia Gabriel is a third-year Health Sciences major (pre-PA/PhD) and neuroscience minor. She joined the KEG lab in the Winter of 2025 and is excited to get involved in the lab. Outside of research, Mia plays for the Women’s Lacrosse team, is a Morgan’s Message campus ambassador, a CUE Student Scholar Ambassador, and a member of many clubs on campus.
Victoria Peterson is a third-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 CUE student ambassador, the Outreach Coordinator for the Pre-PA Club, and a member of the cheerleading team and Red Cross Club.
Matthew Ampanyuth is a fourth-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.
Isabella Low is a third-year Biological Sciences BS and Theatre BA double-major. She joined the KEG lab in the Fall of 2025 and is a performance director for Twilight, the K-pop dance group on campus. Isabella is looking forward to participating and contributing to the lab!
Sabrina Nguyen is a second-year Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BS and Psychology BA double-major. She joined the KEG Lab in the Fall of 2025 and is excited to participate in the lab! Sabrina is also a member of the Schmid Student Leadership Council (SSLC) on campus!