Principal Investigator

Dr. Joseph Badillo

Joe received his B.S. in Chemistry from California State University, Long Beach in 2008, where he worked with Professor Paul Buonora. He then earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis in 2014, working in the area of asymmetric catalysis with Professor Annaliese Franz. After this, he undertook a postdoctoral research position with 2021 Nobel Laureate Professor David MacMillan at Princeton University. Joe joined the faculty at Seton Hall University in the fall of 2017.

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Contact information:

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Joseph J. Badillo

Assistant Professor

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Seton Hall University

400 South Orange Ave

South Orange, NJ 07079

(973) 761-9041

email: joseph.badillo@shu.edu 

Researcher and Adjunct Professor

Dr. Jason Saway

Hola and 你好 (nĭ hăo), my name is Jason Saway, and I graduated with my Ph.D. in 2024 from Seton Hall under the direction of Dr. Badillo. I come from a widely diverse cultural background, which has taught me to keep an open mind that is essential in research and every aspect of life. Organic Chemistry is a passion I have had since high school. In addition, it plays a major role in what I want to do in the future, which is work in the area of research focusing on the organic chemistry that occurs within the brain. A quote I like to remember is “It doesn’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning is winning”, which comes from one of the best movie franchises, in my opinion, the Fast and the Furious. This quote sums up an important lesson in life; it does not matter if you are not the smartest, fastest, or if you do not understand the material in a class on the first try. The only thing that does matter and makes you a success is that you are willing to put in the work to finish the things you start.

Graduate Student

Isaiah Torres

Hello all, my name is Isaiah Dasilva Torres. I have my B.S in Chemistry with a minor in medicinal chemistry from Saint Peters University 2021. I am currently a second-year Ph.D. student here at Seton Hall and pursuing a concentration in organic chemistry. My current research is focusing on photoredox chemistry. My goal once I obtain my Ph.D. is to head into the pharmaceutical industry and maybe eventually teach.

Graduate Student

Daniela Noguera-Urbina

Hi, my name is Daniela and I am from Caracas, Venezuela. I received my undergraduate degree from Saint Peter's University, a bachelor's in Chemistry with a concentration in Medicinal Chemistry. I am a second-year Ph.D. student, currently researching second-generation photoacids. I am a true believer in discipline and consistency in order to achieve your goals. Once I obtain my Ph.D. I plan on working in the pharmaceutical field or perhaps continuing to do research.

Undergraduate Researcher

Sahil D'souza

Hello everyone, my name is Sahil D’Souza. I am currently in my second year at Seton Hall University in the Joint BS/MD program, with a double major in Biochemistry and Religious Studies. While I hope to one day reach a career in medicine, chemistry has been a passion of mine, and it has contributed to me pursuing research under Dr. Badillo. I have been a member of the Badillo lab since Freshman year, performing research involving Carbocation Catalysis as well as Photoacid Generator Catalysis. I took part in research during Summer 2023 as a Seton Hall University New Jersey Space Grant Consortium (SHU-NJGSC) & NASA Fellow and for the 2023-24 school year have I was selected to present at the 2023 Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey (ICUNJ) Symposium.

Undergraduate Researcher

Amanda Kelleher

Hi, my name is Amanda Kelleher and I am a Senior at Seton Hall University with a major in Biology. I have been an undergraduate researcher in the Badillo Lab since my freshman year, where I have been performing research on Photoacid Generator Catalysis. When I graduate, I will be attending PA school to become a Physician Assistant.

Undergraduate Researcher

Mikyah Moore

Hi, my name is Mikyah Moore and I am from Windsor, Colorado. In spring of 2025, I will obtain my B.S. in Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies from Seton Hall University. My current research focuses on photoredox catalysis. Once I obtain my B.S., my goal is to go to medical school and become a doctor so I can serve my community through medicine.

Undergraduate Researcher

Zahra Latif

Hi! My name is Zahra Latif, and I am a first year undergraduate student at Seton Hall University. I am  in the Joint BA/MD program and a double major in English and Biology, and am also minoring in Chemistry. My current research is about halogen exchange in 2-naphthols. In the future I plan on pursuing medicine. 

Undergraduate Researcher

Orion Cruz

Hey! My name is Orion Mancia Cruz, and I am a second-year undergraduate student at Seton Hall University. I am a Chemistry major with an ACS certification. I’ve always admired chemistry as a beautiful way to describe the world around us. I am primarily interested in organic synthesis and am working on the analyses & characterizations of different electronic details of thiourea compounds in the lab. My goals are to enter a variety of chemical industries and further refine my skills in the laboratory. I also aim to teach chemistry later in life; it would be wonderful to see someone fall in love with chemistry as I have. 

Undergraduate Researcher

Ryan Sikander

Hi all, my name is Ryan Sikander. I am a second-year undergraduate student majoring in biochemistry at Seton Hall University. Additionally, I am in the Joint Bachelor’s/MD program. As of now, my research revolves around solid phase photoredox catalysis. I hope to study medicine in the future. An important area in life to me is community, as who can you turn to but others when you are truly stumped on your own? I want to foster a sense of community as I join groups and aid in the everlasting process of growth and development that can be achieved together. In my free time, I like to speedcube, and my goal is to teach as many people as possible how to solve a Rubik’s cube.

Undergraduate Researcher

Kaitlyn Santana

Hi, my name is Kaitlyn Santana, and I am currently a sophomore undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry. I’ve always had a passion for the sciences/ furthering our understanding of the human body and the natural processes that happen in the world around us. My goal is to pursue a career in medicine, which is a field that centers around growth and community, which are two significant themes in my life. 

Undergraduate Researcher

Stephanie Isabel

Hey everyone, welcome. I am a seton hall sophomore undergraduate student. I am majoring in chemistry and enrolled in the 3 + 2 Chemical engineering program. My research focuses on the functionalization of aldehydes using organocatalysis. My goal is to make new chip flavors. I want to make flavors catered to my tastes and expand people’s palettes. I am a fan of long walks on the beach and bowling. I hope to create a world of new tastes that gather and foster community.