Ephraim Craddock

Chemical Engineering Track of Molecular Engineering

University of Chicago | Class of 2027 | GPA: 3.87/4.00

Engineering solutions at the intersection of molecular systems, computational methods, and real-world applications. Specializing in interdisciplinary approaches that solve problems in chemical engineering with the engineering designs process, computational methods, and process optimization.

About

I am a junior at the University of Chicago pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Engineering on the Chemical Engineering Track, with a minor in Computational Molecular Engineering. My academic focus centers on applying computational tools and engineering principles to solve complex problems in the chemical systems and systems optimization.

My research and coursework emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, combining traditional chemical engineering fundamentals with modern computational methods including Python and R-based data analysis. I am particularly interested in projects that bridge engineering principles with chemical systems and the energy industry to demonstrate practical applications in long-term energy solutions.

Technical Skills & Tools

Programming & Analysis

  • Python (fluent)
  • R (fluent)
  • Seurat R Package
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Data Visualization

Process & Systems Engineering

  • Process Modeling and Simulation
  • Mass, Energy, and Momentum Balances
  • Transport Phenomena (heat, mass, and fluid flow)
  • Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria
  • Optimization and Engineering Design Methods

Engineering Methods

  • Process Flow Diagram development and interpretation
  • Process hazard and safety considerations in design
  • Parameter estimation and model calibration
  • Sensitivity analysis and design of experiments
  • Classical molecular and materials modeling workflows

Education

University of Chicago B.S. Molecular Engineering — Chemical Engineering Track Minor: Computational Molecular Engineering Expected Graduation: May 2027 | GPA: 3.89/4.00
Honors: Dean's List 2023-2024, National Merit Scholar
Awards: Metcalf Grant, Quad Undergraduate Research Grant

Relevant Coursework

General Chemistry I, II, and III (with lab), Organic Chemistry I and II (with lab), Cellular and Molecular Biology, Principles of Engineering Analysis I and II, Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I, II, and III, Statistical Models and Methods, Transport Phenomena, Transport Phenomena II: Fluid Flow and Convective Transport Processes, Thermodynamics, Thermodynamics of Phase Equilibria, Classical Molecular and Materials Modeling

Research Experience

Alegre Lab, University of Chicago February 2025 - Present
Undergraduate Research Assistant
  • Studied the expansion of Tregs and effect on transplantation of IL-2 – TGF-β fusion protein
  • Created flow cytometry R script to streamline lab procedures in cell staining and preparation
  • Performed scRNA-seq analysis to determine different expression levels of proteins and proliferation of cells in various contexts within transplantation
Academic Presentations:
Talk: "An IL-2-TGF-β Fusion Protein Expands Tregs and Induces Tolerance of a Minor-mismatched Skin Graft"
   • Midstates Consortium Undergraduate Research Symposium (November 1, 2025)
   • Autumn Immunology Conference (November 22, 2025)
Poster: Autumn Immunology Conference (November 22, 2025)
Pennington Biomedical Research Center July - September 2024
Summer Research Assistant
  • Performed mouse colony maintenance to measure aversive vs. rewarding stimulus effects of low-protein signaling hormone, FGF-21, on klb-flp Cre mice
  • Performed IP injections on mice to study conditional place preference inducing effects of FGF-21 stimulus

Leadership & Activities

GeneHackers May 2025 - Present
Co-head of Dry Lab Activities
  • Served on finance board to manage funding of roughly $25,000 for 2025 iGEM international competition project
  • Presented proposal project of using LLM to efficiently determine novel proteins within subfamily
Society of Molecular Engineers March 2025 - Present
Board Member for Events and Planning Committee
  • Aided in logistics, external contact outreach, and budget management of community events
UChicago Resident's Assistant October 2024 - Present
Resident Assistant
  • Monitored and supervised roughly 120 students, with a focus on community-building activities, student health/wellness, and advocating their needs to the Department of Housing and Residence Life
University of Chicago Wrestling Team August 2024 - August 2025
Team Member
  • Member of the University of Chicago Wrestling team, attending all team activities and wrestling in a total of 7 matches for the University at the 141 lb. weight class

Projects

Engineering case studies demonstrating computational methods, interdisciplinary approaches, and real-world applications

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Contact

Open to research opportunities, internships, and collaborations in chemical engineering, computational methods, and interdisciplinary projects.