The May Group / University of Houston Chemistry
The people behind the science at the May Group
Professor, Department of Chemistry · University of Houston
5th Year Graduate Student
B.S. Chemistry, Liaoning Petrochemical University, China (2020)
Zhencheng (Norton) Dong was born in China in 1997. After graduating, he joined Dr. May Group for graduate study in Fall 2020. He loves organic chemistry, especially in total synthesis. He also has broad interests including guitar playing, badminton, movies, cats, board games and cooking.
4th Year Graduate Student
B.Sc. Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) (2022)
Yuhang Zhang was born in Mianyang, Sichuan, China, and conducted undergraduate research in Prof. Park's lab on Brookhart catalysts and Boron chemistry. He joined the University of Houston in Fall 2022 as a Ph.D. student in Prof. May's group. Outside the lab, he enjoys hiking, driving to remote areas, playing video games, and practicing meditation rooted in Buddhist philosophy.
4th Year Graduate Student
B.S. Chemistry, UC Riverside, CA (2017); M.S. Chemistry, CSU Long Beach, CA (2021)
3rd Year Graduate Student
B.S. Chemistry, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN (2022)
Max was born and raised near the Twin Cities in Minnesota. After completing his undergraduate studies, he worked in the polymer and additive manufacturing industry for a year before joining the May Lab in Fall 2023. In his free time, he enjoys travelling, spending time with his dog, watching sports and being outdoors.
3rd Year Graduate Student
B.Pharmacy, RIPER, India (2020); M.S. Pharmacy, NIPER, India (2022)
Sumanth Gopavaram was born in India in 1998. After graduating, he worked in industry before joining Dr. May Group for graduate study in Fall 2023. He loves organic chemistry, especially heterocyclic synthesis, and is also interested in cooking, badminton, and movies.
1st Year Graduate Student
B.S. & M.S., Kurukshetra University (2021, 2023)
Yankita was born in India in 1999. After completing her masters she worked on review articles, then joined Dr. May Group to pursue her doctorate while serving as a Teaching Assistant. She has great interest in sketching, travelling and cooking.
1st Year Graduate Student
B.S. Chemistry, University of North Texas (2012); M.S. Chemistry, Purdue University (2014)
Zack was born and raised in the DFW area. After completing initial studies, he worked in clinical research for 10 years in project management, patient safety, and regulatory submissions. He returned to complete his studies at UH in 2025. He enjoys all things sci-fi, spending time with friends and family, cooking and traveling.
Undergraduate Student
B.S. University of Houston (ongoing), majoring in biochemistry and minoring in chemistry
He loves to play the Setar and Kamancheh in his free time. His favorite food is Khoroshteh bademjun (a Persian eggplant dish) and Pizza.
Alumni · Work in a petroleum company in New Jersey
B.Sc. Chemistry, Shiraz University, Iran; M.S. Chemistry, IASBS University, Zanjan, Iran (Prof. Karimi)
Hossein was born in Shiraz, Iran. He came to UH in Spring 2019 and joined the May group. He loves mountaineering and everything that relates to nature.
Alumni · Postdoc in medicine institute
B.S. Chemistry, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL (2019)
Clayton was raised in Illinois and conducted undergraduate research in the lab of Prof. Kevin R. Tucker. He joined the May lab in Fall 2019. He enjoys music, basketball, and nature documentaries.
Alumni · Working in Vietnam
B.S. Chemistry, HCMC University of Science, Vietnam (2017); M.S. Chemistry, University of Houston (2020–2024)
Hung was born in Vietnam in 1995. He joined Dr. May's Group in Summer 2021. His hobbies are reading, badminton and music.
Alumni · Pursuing additional degree
B.S. Chemical Biotechnology, University of Queensland, Australia (2015); Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Houston (2019–2025)
Tan was born in Danang, Vietnam in 1991. He joined Dr. May's Group in Summer 2021. His hobbies are reading books, tennis and movies.
Alumni · Working in Seattle
B.S. Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan (2015); M.S. Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (2017); Ph.D. University of Houston (2019–2023)
He joined the May lab in Fall 2019. He enjoys playing baseball and watching MLB games.
Alumni · Working in industry
B.S. Chemical Biotechnology, Loyola Marymount University
Alumni · Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
B.S. Chemistry, Southeast University, Nanjing, China (2017); Ph.D. University of Houston (2017–2022)
Jirong was born in China in 1995. He loves everything about total synthesis.
Alumni
B.S. Chemistry, Baylor University, Waco, TX (2016); Ph.D. University of Houston (2016–2021)
She was born in Texas and raised in Dallas, and joined the May Group in the summer of 2016. In her free time, she enjoys running and outdoor activities with her dog.
Alumni
B.S. Chemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX (2018); M.S. University of Houston (2018–2021)
Bailey grew up in Texas and joined the group in October 2018. Her hobbies include travelling, exercising, and spending time with her dog.
Alumni
B.S. Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (2016); Ph.D. University of Houston (2016–2020)
Steven was born in China in 1993. He loves playing basketball and billiards, listening to music, watching sports and movies.
Alumni
B.S. Chemistry, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC; M.S. University of Houston (2017–2020)
Davis was born in Charlotte, NC in 1995. His favorite hobbies are snowboarding, skydiving, going to the range, flight simulator, and organic chemistry.
Alumni · Postdoc, Dr. John Wood, Baylor University
B.Sc. Chemistry, DePaul University, Chicago (2013); Ph.D. University of Houston (2015–2020)
Sasha was born in Moscow. After two years in industry, she came to UH in 2015 and joined the May group. Her favorite things are cats, video games, and music festivals.
Alumni
B.E. Chemical Engineering, HCMC University of Technology, Vietnam (2014); Ph.D. University of Houston (2014–2019)
Truong was born in Vietnam in 1991. His hobbies are science fiction films, soccer, and chess.
Alumni
B.A. Chiba University, Japan (2013); Ph.D. University of Houston (2014–2019)
Alumni · Postdoc, Dr. Thummel, University of Houston
B.Sc. Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan (2009); M.S. Fu Jen Catholic University (2010); Ph.D. University of Houston (2013–2018)
Alumni · Faculty, Silpakorn University, Thailand
Ph.D. University of Houston (2013–2018)
Alumni · Chevron Oronite
B.Sc. Chemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan (2007); Ph.D. University of Houston (2011–2015)
Alumni
M.S. University of Houston
Alumni · Postdoc, University of Kansas
Ph.D. University of Houston (2010–2015)
Alumni · Faculty, International University – VNU HCMC, Vietnam
B.Sc. University of Science, Hochiminh City, Vietnam (2008); Ph.D. University of Houston (2010–2015)
Alumni · Faculty, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam
B.Sc. University of Science, Hochiminh City, Vietnam (2008); Ph.D. University of Houston (2010–2015)
Alumni · Oak Ridge National Labs
B.Sc. University of Latvia (2008); Ph.D. University of Houston (2009–2014)
Alumni
M.S. University of Houston
We are always interested in hearing from motivated students and postdoctoral researchers. If you are passionate about organic chemistry and interested in joining our research efforts, please contact Professor May.
Contact Professor May