People

Emma C. Brace, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Engineering
Environmental Studies (courtesy)
emma.brace@bc.edu

Dr. Brace (she/her) went to college as a first-generation college student and just kept going until she earned a PhD. Her research interests include bioprocessing and bioseparations to develop new bioproducts; quantitative sustainable design (incorporating TEA and LCA) of biorefineries; and engineering education. Dr. Brace is currently an Assistant Professor at Boston College in the newly-formed Engineering Department. She also has a courtesy appointment in the Environmental Studies program.

Postdoc, Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2020-2023
PhD, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, 8/2020
MS, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, 8/2016
BS, Biological Systems Engineering, Chemistry Minor, Kansas State University, 5/2014

Current Group Members: Fall 2025

Sarvada Chipkar, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Sept. 2024 鈥� present
sarvada.chipkar@bc.edu

Jane Ginley
Graduate Research Associate, June 2025 - present
B.S. Engineering, 羞羞影院, 2025; MS in Finance student

Luke Baxter
Undergraduate Research Fellow
May 2024 - present

Melanie (Mel) Cotta
Undergraduate Research Fellow/Assistant
May 2024 鈥� present

Isabella (Bella) Doyle
Undergraduate Research Fellow/Assistant
Nov 2023 - present

Gillian Mohr
Undergraduate Research Fellow
Jan 2024 - present

Will Rice
Undergraduate Research Fellow/Assistant
Jan 2024 - present

Claire Richter
Undergraduate Research Fellow
Jan. 2024 - present

Charlotte (Charlie) Tonelli
Undergraduate Research Fellow
Aug. 2024 - present

Lil' Baldy
Lab Mascot & Assistant

Group Alumni

Chris & Fatoumata, Boston Public Schools students, summer research interns through the S.T.E.A.M. Ahead program, Summer 2025
Malik Robinson, Environmental Studies Senior Thesis Student 2024 - 2025, now an Environmental Specialist at Triumvirate Environmental听
Samuel Luzuriaga, Boston College HCE student, Undergraduate Research Fellow January - May 2025
Avery Suza, Boston College HCE student, Undergraduate Research Fellow May 鈥� December 2024
Bennett Lewis, Boston College HCE student, Undergraduate Research Assistant/Fellow October 2023 鈥� May 2024