LSU Chemistry Graduate Students Awarded University Dissertation Fellowships
April 28, 2025
The LSU Department of Chemistry proudly announces two graduate students, Udyogi Conthagamage and Stefanie Klisch, have been selected as 2025–2026 LSU Dissertation Year Fellowship recipients. The competitive, university-wide fellowship awarded by the LSU Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School recognizes exceptional doctoral candidates for academic excellence and impactful research during the final stages of their Ph.D. training.
Udyogi Conthagamage, LSU Chemistry Graduate Student
Udyogi Conthagamage
Udyogi Conthagamage began her academic journey in Sri Lanka, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Honors) from the University of Kelaniya. From an early age, she found inspiration in her mother, whose passion for science laid the foundation for Udyogi’s pursuit of chemistry and a doctoral degree.
“LSU offers not only top-tier research facilities and a supportive academic community,” Udyogi said, “but also an emphasis on mentorship and professional development that has shaped me as both a scientist and mentor.”
Drawn to LSU Chemistry’s Assistant Professor Víctor García-López’s innovative work in molecular machines, she joined his research group, where she found the perfect environment to grow her research and mentoring skills.
Her research focuses on designing rotaxanes, artificial molecular machines capable of precise movement along an axle, to target bacterial membranes and overcome antibiotic resistance. Her research explores how these molecules can be embedded in bacterial membranes to transport anions, disrupt structural integrity, and ultimately kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Udyogi contributed to the group’s achievement in developing the first rotaxane that targets the membrane of Staphylococcus aureus, a multidrug-resistant gram-positive pathogen (Mater. Adv. 2024, 5, 8534–8545). The group also developed the first rotaxane capable of modulating model membranes' organization, permeability, and dynamics by adopting distinct conformations in response to specific light (Commun. Chem. 2024, 7, 255).
“These discoveries are significant because they demonstrate new ways to bypass traditional antibiotic resistance,” she explained. “Light-activated rotaxanes, for example, could one day be used to treat localized infections in skin wounds, burns, or even urinary tract infections. There’s also potential for hospital and food industry disinfection applications.”
In addition to this fellowship, Udyogi was named Runner-Up in LSU’s Three Minute Thesis Competition in November 2023, where she showcased her research to a broad audience. As she prepares for graduation in Spring 2026, she hopes to deepen her expertise in molecular design, organic synthesis, and membrane biophysics while mentoring future scientists.
“I’m deeply grateful to my PI, Dr. García-López, for his incredible guidance and mentorship in shaping me into a successful researcher and mentor,” Udyogi said. “I also sincerely thank our former postdoc, Dr. Nasim Akhtar, who continues to support and guide me tremendously, and my lab mates for their encouragement and collaboration over the past four years.”
Stefanie Klisch, LSU Chemistry Graduate Student
Stefanie Klisch
Originally from Germany, Stefanie Klisch earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, where she first developed a passion for analytical chemistry. She credits her early mentor, Dr. Ann-Christin Pöppler, with sparking her interest in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and serving as a powerful role model for women in STEM.
Now conducting research under the guidance of Prof. Gerald Schneider at LSU, Stefanie is exploring the fundamental structure and dynamics of vesicle systems, which are spherical assemblies that mimic cell membranes.
Her innovative work involves incorporating small molecules into vesicle membranes to study how their properties shift under different conditions. She also examines the effects of various polymer architectures to deepen the understanding of membrane behavior.
“A detailed understanding of vesicle systems is important to a variety of fields such as synthetic chemistry, material science, medicine, and even cosmetics," Stefanie said. “By understanding how vesicle properties can be tailored, we can design novel materials with wide-reaching applications, from drug delivery systems to environmentally friendly materials.”
Her research has already gained national recognition, earning her an invitation to present at the Spring 2025 ACS Excellence in Graduate Polymer Research Symposium. Looking ahead, she plans to complete her Ph.D. by Spring 2026 and publish the majority of her findings by then as well.
As Stefanie approaches the final stretch of her graduate career, she remains grateful to her support system. “I’d like to thank my lab mates for creating such a collaborative and encouraging atmosphere,” she said. “Special thanks to Karin Bichler and Bruno Jakobi, whose creative insights have been invaluable, and to Dr. Schneider for his unwavering support and encouragement to explore bold ideas.”
To learn more about the LSU Dissertation Year Fellowship, including eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and application deadlines, visit the LSU Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School website.