THE ALTY RESEARCH GROUP
at STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
The Alty Research Team.
Our research group focuses on fostering a welcoming environment, a strong community, and earnest curiosity. We welcome undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral associates to apply!
Contact information is listed in each team member's bio. The @stonybrook.edu domain follows the listed email username.
Prof. Jill W. Alty, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor (2025-)
A.O. Beckman Postdoc at MIT with Laura Kiessling (2022-2025)
Clare Boothe Luce Graduate Fellow at UNC with Frank Leibfarth & Erik Alexanian (2016-2021)
B.S. in Chemistry at the College of William & Mary (2012-2016)
Email: jill.alty
Hometown: Ruckersville, VA
James McQuade, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Associate (2026-)
Ph.D. at Rutgers with Fraeder Jäkle (2017-2025)
B.Sc. in Pharm. & Ind. Chemistry at University of Limerick (2011-2015)
Email: james.mcquade
Project: Silicon micronutrients
Hometown: Limerick, Ireland
Hobbies: amateur astronomer, Guinness expert, & fan of the LIRR
Ethan Cramer
Ph.D. Student (2025-)
B.S. in Biochemistry at Ithaca College (2014-2018)
Email: ethan.cramer
Project: Rearrangement polymerization methods
Hometown: Rensselaer, NY
Hobbies: snail hunting, hiking flat land, & immersive music
Jacob Narr
Ph.D. Student (2025-)
co-PI: Grubbs
B.S. in Molecular & Cellular Biology at University of Arizona (2021-2025)
Email: jacob.narr
Project: Electronic materials
Hometown: Pollock Pines, CA
Hobbies: corgi chauffeur, mustache influencer, & TV aficionado.
Sasha Stark
Ph.D. Student (2025-)
B.S. in Biochemistry at Union College (2021-2025)
Email: sasha.stark
Project: Oxygen transport
Hometown: West Chester, PA
Hobbies: welder, breakfast enthusiast, & thrifter extraordinaire
Ajay Raju
Undergraduate Student (2026-)
B.S. in Chemistry & Biology at Stony Brook University (2022-2026)
Email: ajay.raju
Project: Stereocontrolled polymers
Hometown: Clifton Park, NY
Hobbies: playing soccer, watching soccer, & traveling (to watch more soccer).
Gabriel Villacres-Balseca
Undergraduate Student (2026-)
B.S. in Chemistry at Stony Brook University (2022-2026)
Email: gabriel.villacres-balseca
Project: Environmental micronutrients
Hometown: Deer Park, NY
Hobbies: collecting old music & stanning SBU Chem Club.
Group Photo Repository
