Graduate students that are interested in pursuing research in the field of organic chemistry with interests in catalysis, the development of asymmetric methods, natural product total synthesis, and medicinal chemistry can contact Dr. Lambert as we are currently accepting new graduate students!
*All email addresses on this page are @odu.edu
Shannon Stephens – Email: sweaver@
Undergraduate: Indiana University
Degree: B.S. in Mathematics
Shannon joined the Lambert group in the summer of 2021 after completing her undergraduate studies at Indiana University and post-baccalaureate studies at ODU. Concurrently with her undergraduate program, Shannon served in the United States Navy as an Engineering Laboratory Technician aboard a nuclear aircraft carrier. Shannon is pursuing a PhD. in chemistry with an interest in computational chemistry. Shannon enjoys horseback riding while not in the laboratory.
Shayne Weierbach – Email: sweierba@
Undergraduate: Christopher Newport University
Degree: B.S. in Chemistry
Shayne joined the Lambert group in the Fall of 2021 after completing undergraduate studies in chemistry. Shayne is from Yorktown, VA., and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry at ODU. His main interests in chemistry are natural product synthesis and process chemistry. Outside of school, Shayne enjoys playing chess, hockey, and soccer.
Karen Vargas – Email: kvargas@
Undergraduate: University of New Haven, B.S. in Forensic Science, chemistry concentration
Masters Graduate: University of New Haven, M.S. in Chemistry with graduate certificate in analytical chemistry
Karen joined the Lambert Research group in the Fall of 2022. Originally from New Jersey, she achieved her degrees at University of New Haven in West Haven Connecticut. Karen is interested in drug discovery chemistry and plans to pursue pharmaceutical development after graduation.
Cylah Bruno – Email: cbruno@
Cylah joined the Lambert group during the spring 2023 semester after completing a B.S. in Biochemistry at ODU. She is from the island of Dominica and is currently working on a PhD in Chemistry while serving in the United States Airforce. Cylah is interested in Medicinal Chemistry with hopes of merging her military and professional career. Outside of the lab she enjoys cooking and traveling to experience different cultures.
Kyle Kellar – Email: kkell066@
Undergraduate: Campbell University
Degree: B.S. in Chemistry
Kyle joined the Lambert group in the Summer of 2025 after completing his undergraduate studies in chemistry at Campbell University. Kyle is from Fuquay-Varina, NC, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry at ODU. He is mainly interested in natural product synthesis. Outside of the lab, Kyle enjoys hiking, cooking, and watching baseball.
Lian Abah – Email:
Undergraduate: TBD
Degree: TBD
TBD
Hammad Nasir – Email: hnasi001@
Undergraduate: University of the Poonch, Rawlakot
Masters Graduate: National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan, M.S. in Chemistry
Hammad joined the Lambert group in Fall 2025 after completing his M.S in Chemistry at National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan. He worked in the field of Medicinal Chemistry and published three research articles. Hammad is from Pakistan and is currently doing PhD at ODU. He is mainly interested in Organic Synthesis. Outside of the lab, he plays cricket, likes swimming and hiking.
Hamna Hafeez – Email: hhafe001@
Undergraduate: University of Sargodha, Pakistan, B.S. in Chemistry
Masters Graduate: National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan, M.S. in Chemistry
Hamna completed her undergraduate studies in chemistry at the University of Sargodha, Pakistan. She then pursued her master’s degree at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, where she conducted research in organic chemistry. During her master’s research, she synthesized various Schiff bases with potential bioactive applications. Hamna joined Old Dominion University in spring 2025 and worked as a research assistant with Dr. Silvina Pagola on a mechanochemistry project. She joined the Lambert group in Fall 2025. Her research interests focus on organic synthesis. Outside of research, Hamna enjoys traveling and cooking.