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.

​

Contact information:

​

Joseph J. Badillo

Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Seton Hall University

400 South Orange Ave

South Orange, NJ 07079

(973) 761-9041

email: joseph.badillo@shu.edu 

Graduate Student

Isabella Hidalgo

Isabella is a Ph.D. student in Chemistry at Seton Hall University. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from the same institution in 2025. Her current research in the Badillo Lab focuses on the development and mechanistic study of visible-light-activated photoacid generators as pre-catalysts for organic transformations. Following completion of her doctoral studies, she plans to contribute to pharmaceutical development, with a particular interest in improving women’s health and synthesizing compounds that enhance quality of life as we age.

Graduate Student

Assa John

Assa is a Ph.D. student in Chemistry at Seton Hall University. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Nairobi in 2020 and his M.S. in Forensic Chemistry from Rutgers University–Camden in 2025. My research focuses on enhancing product selectivity in photoredox-catalyzed arylation of benzofurans, an important class of heterocycles found in numerous biologically active compounds. He aspires to apply his expertise in synthetic and mechanistic chemistry to develop next-generation therapeutics that improve human health and quality of life.

Graduate Student

Brian Ng

Hi, everyone! My name is Brian Ng, and I am an incoming third-year Ph.D. student at Seton Hall University. I received my B.S. in chemistry from Ramapo College of New Jersey in 2022, working with Professor Jay R. Carreon. Over the course of my chemistry journey, I have become heavily interested in theoretical organic chemistry—the “why” behind chemical reactions—and total synthesis. Directly after graduation, I hope to pursue a career in academia, as I enjoy teaching and have been doing so for almost 7 years (and counting). My current research in the Badillo Lab entails the usage of click chemistry by copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloadditions (CuAAC) for the synthesis of highly branched triazole-containing bis(indolyl)methanes (BIMs).

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

Eliu Arana

Hi, my name is Eliu, and I’m entering my third year at Seton Hall University as a chemistry major with an ACS certification. I enjoy doing chemistry and am excited to continue developing my skills through hands-on lab work. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical field, where I hope to contribute to developing new drugs and treatments. 

Undergraduate Researcher

Ishika Binu

Hello! My name is Ishika Binu, and I am originally from Washington State. I am a second-year Biology major at Seton Hall University in the Joint BS/MD Program. From a young age, I've been passionate about pursuing a career in medicine and becoming a physician. Currently, my research focuses on photoacid catalysis.

Undergraduate Researcher

Noah Riley

Hello, my name is Noah Riley, I am a sophomore undergraduate student enrolled in the 3+2 BS/MS Chemistry/Chemical Engineering program at Seton Hall University. During my time here at Seton Hall, I have developed a particular interest in the principles of Green Chemistry and hope to pursue a career in the field after finishing my education. My current research focuses on improving product selectivity of photoredox-catalyzed arylation reactions with benzofurans.

Undergraduate Researcher

Natalie Turba

Hi, my name is Natalie Turba. I’m a sophomore at Seton Hall University studying biochemistry with a minor in psychology. I’m also part of the joint bachelor’s/m.d. program. I’ve always been very passionate about medicine and helping others, so my goal is to attend medical school and become a doctor of emergency medicine. I enjoy organic chemistry, and my current research focuses on photoacid catalysis.