PhD Students

Eva is a graduate student from Guatemala, where she got her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at the University of the Valley of Guatemala in 2022. She joined UF in Fall 2024 as a graduate student in the Chemistry Department. Her research focuses of exploring the application of polymers as energy storage materials in lithium ion batteries, under the supervision of Dr. Megan Butala (Materials Science and Engineering Department) and Dr. Austin Evans (Chemistry Department).

On her free time, Eva enjoys watching movies, reading and dancing.

Jen received her Bachelor’s degree in 2021 and plans to earn her Master’s degree in 2026, both in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Florida. Before starting her doctoral degree, she researched microstructure and phase evolution in titanium alloys under Dr. Tori Miller using electron backscatter microscopy. Jen now conducts research under Dr. Megan Butala investigating the application of sol-gel synthesis for lithium-based cathodes and seeks to understand the relationship between atomic arrangement and material properties using x-ray diffraction techniques at various atomic length scales.

When she’s not adding more research papers to her reading list, she enjoys listening to podcasts, gardening, and decorating her desk with squishy animals.

Marisa has Bachelors degrees in Materials Science and Engineering and Music from Auburn University (2024). She started as a graduate student at UF in Fall of 2024. Her work focuses on multi-length scale measurements of atomic structure in electronic materials, including developing data processing approaches leveraging machine learning.

When she’s not pushing scattering science boundaries, she might be playing violin or searching for coffee shops in Gainesville.

John has a Bachelors degree in Materials Science and Engineering from UF. He began his PhD in the Butala Research Group in 2021. His research involves studying structure-property relationships in disordered electrode materials and phase-change materials. His focus on X-ray and neutron scattering/absorption has brought him to various national laboratories across the country.

When not poring over X-ray data spaghetti, John enjoys petting his cat, cooking and collecting, listening to, and playing music.