Meet the Team

Hunter McDaniel is Founder and CEO of UbiQD, an advanced materials company powering product innovation in controlled-environment agriculture. Hunter earned a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, before joining Los Alamos National Laboratory in the Chemistry Division. He founded UbiQD, Inc. in 2014, and the company has raised more than $10M, employs ~40 full time. Their first product, UbiGro, is a layer of light that uses fluorescence to help plants get more from the sun in a greenhouse. Ultimately the value proposition is about boosting crop yields and quality without the cost or energy impact of lighting. Hunter has more than fifty publications and patents, and more than 2000 total citations, h-index: 20. Hunter fundamentally believes that novel materials underpin every significant technology advancement, and he is focused on leveraging new materials to have a lasting and sustainable impact.

As Chief Product Officer at UbiQD, Dr. Matt Bergren leads the company’s product development efforts, sales, and product manufacturing, including the company’s first commercial agriculture product, UbiGro®.

He plays a critical role in continuing the company’s path of technology development and vision of powering product innovations in agriculture, clean energy, and security. He also serves as the principle investigator for UbiQD’s contract with NASA, focused on tailoring the solar spectrum for enhanced crop production for space missions. Dr. Bergren’s leadership experience also includes serving on the board of directors for the New Mexico Energy Manufacturing Institute, an organization focused on job creation in New Mexico’s energy, and energy-related manufacturing community.

Before joining UbiQD, Dr. Bergren held postdoctoral positions at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and at the Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics at Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, where he focused on developing innovative photovoltaic technologies using novel nanomaterials. He is highly experienced with photoluminescence experiments, with numerous peer-reviewed publications.

Liseth Garay is UbiQD’s Chief Administrative Officer. Liseth has over 10 years of Business Administration experience working from the Hospitality Service industry to Biology Scientific Research industry and now the Quantum Dot Technology industry. Prior to joining UbiQD, Liseth held a Safety and Compliance management position at the New Mexico Consortium with a broad spectrum of responsibilities including compliance in all aspects of Environmental Health and Safety, Administration, Supervision, Banking, among others. Liseth received her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from a top 10 university in Mexico, Universidad Iberoamericana and her MBA from a local university, Eastern New Mexico University.

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Dr. Michael Burrows is UbiQD’s Chief Commercial Officer. His educational background includes Materials Science doctorate from University of Delaware and MBA from Duke University Fuqua School of Business. His career has specialized in commercialization of novel electronic materials in venture-run programs for different industries including solar, biosensors, and the automotive industry. In both start-up and corporate environments, he has extensive experience in global market development, forging supply chain partnerships, productization, and brand building. He is currently leading UbiQD’s partnership efforts in luminescent greenhouse technology, smart windows, and security features.

Eric Moody is UbiQD's Director of Sales and Marketing. Eric more than six years horticultural lighting industry experience, building relationships with greenhouse growers of all sizes and crops on optimal lighting for their growing operation and most recently managed a North American sales team for PL Light Systems. Overall, Eric has been in sales leadership positions for more than 13 years. Eric brings with him a great understanding of the market and available technologies for growers, greenhouse facilities, and sales leadership.

Dr. Nikolay Makarov is the Senior VP of Research & Development at UbiQD. He received his bachelors of science in mathematics at St. Petersburg State University and received his PhD in physics from Montana State University in 2010. Before joining UbiQD in the summer of 2016, Dr. Makarov held postdoctoral positions at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Over the past four years, Dr. Makarov’s research has mainly focused on understanding the optoelectronic properties of quantum dots, with a special focus on the same I-III-VI quantum dots that UbiQD is commercializing. Nikolay is an expert in ultrafast and steady-state spectroscopy (including time-correlated single photon counting measurements, PLQY, time-resolved and steady-state PL, ultrafast transient absorption and multi-photon absorption spectroscopy). Dr. Makarov is highly experienced with photoluminescence experiments, with numerous peer-reviewed publications, where he has studied the emission properties of QD solutions and thin films as well as nanocomposites.

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Tony Beams is UbiQD’s Director of Finance. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and a Masters of Business Administration from New York University’s Stern School of Business. His career spans twenty-five years across optical products manufacturing, investment banking, digital content delivery, and most recently prior to UbiQD, controlled environment agriculture. For the past twelve years, Tony has focused on leading Finance teams at technology-based early-stage ventures and supporting Executive teams navigate financial markets and improve operational capabilities.

Damon Hebert has been with UbiQD since 2018. He brings to the company a wide range of experience in agriculture, materials science, spectroscopy, and small business. During his time in Prof. Angus Rockett's research group at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Hebert authored a doctoral thesis and multiple papers on the materials science of CIGS semiconductor materials, which is closely related to the materials developed at UbiQD. He also served as a consultant to Nanosolar, a CIGS nanocrystal solar cell manufacturing company. Hebert has ag industry experience having co-founded Dr. Jolly's, a leading cultivation and distribution operation in Bend, OR. He received a Bachelor’s in Physics from Macalester College, and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from UIUC.

Jim Gideon is a UbiGro Sales Manager, with over 25 years of greenhosue industry sales experience covering all of North America. Previously Jim has worked for Green Tek, Plazit-Polygal, Texel, Cherry Creek, and Nexus. He is based in Montgomery, AL, and Jim believes that “light is everything to the grower."

Wendy Hime is the Office Manager at UbiQD. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics & Psychology and a Diploma in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. After residing in Oxford, England for some years, Wendy settled in Los Alamos, New Mexico. She appreciates the beautiful blue skies and sunshine in addition to the outstanding recreational opportunities, cultural attractions and highly rated schools. In fact, her career was spent happily in one of these top-ranking elementary schools while raising her two boys. Before joining UbiQD, Wendy functioned as Lab Administrator for the New Mexico Consortium and Pebble Labs, proudly facilitating collaborative scientific research.

Bruce Cottrell is the Intellectual Property Director for UbiQD. He comes to the company after nearly five years in the IP group of PPG Industries and over thirty years in the IP group at Los Alamos National Laboratory. His forty years as a patent attorney, with a JD from the University of New Mexico and both a BS (University of New Mexico( and MS (University of California at Santa Cruz) in chemistry, allows UbiQD to have a robust internal resource for the protection of the company’s patents, trademarks, trade secrets and the like.

Diego Rail is a Senior Chemist at UbiQD who has over a dozen years of experience working in industry. He obtained his BA in Chemistry with Departmental Honors from the University of Oregon, where he performed undergraduate research focused on fractal simulation and analysis in the lab of Dr. Richard Taylor. After a stint working in industry as an R&D Technician (and later Process Engineer) at Nanosolar, he went on to obtain his MS in Inorganic Chemistry at UC Davis. His thesis focused on metal carbonyl clusters made from earth abundant transition metals. In particular, he focused on determination of their electrocatalytic properties, particularly as they relate to small molecules. After completing his MS, he went on to hold R&D roles in labs all over the world, including Trutag Technologies, Crary Lab at McMurdo Station (Antarctica) and Open Water Power. He is a named author on four publications and is passionate about using chemistry and materials science to create and scale new products which will have a positive impact on society and the environment.

Dr. Jessica Gurchiek is a Data Analytics Manager at UbiQD. She obtained her B.S. in Chemistry at Middle Tennessee State University following an enlistment as an Engineering Laboratory Technician in the US Navy serving on board the USS Ronald Reagan. She earned her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Michigan State University, under Professor Warren Beck, studying the photophysics of carotenoids, specifically in the Orange Carotenoid Protein, using fluorescence anisotropy and 2DES ultrafast spectroscopy.

Ron joined UbiQD from Los Alamos National Lab, where he was working with an X-Ray Fluorescence team in the Chemistry Division. Before LANL, Ron worked as an Associate Chemist in R&D at the Chemours Company in Newark, Delaware. Ron received his Bachelor’s in Chemistry from the University of Delaware in 2016 where he researched variations between bulk-phase and nano-phase materials with the Physics Department.

Hisaaki Ishihara is a Product Manager UbiGro at UbiQD. He graduated Applied Physics Major at Tokyo University of Science and obtained an M.S. degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. He has an experience with bio-based plastic composite materials using surface modification techniques of bio-based fiber. During this period, he spent his time and studied the plastic production process from plastic engineering at the Pennsylvania State University Behrend. Also, he has worked on The LifeCycle Assessment project to identify the environmental impacts of biomass power plant operations in the U.S at the nonprofit organization. He has worked in the automotive industry for about five years related to research projects and mass production engineering and obtained and proposed patents in Japan.

Born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Riley Kelehan is a Senior Chemist at UbiQD. He holds a Masters in Chemistry from the University of St. Andrews, with a focus on inert atmosphere and inorganic synthesis. Advised by Dr. Andreas Stasch, Riley conducted his thesis on “A new N-Heterocyclic Carbene for the Stabilization of Reactive Main Group Molecules.” With a desire to leave the world in a better state, Riley is excited to contribute to a greener future.

Emily has experience in the research, development, and manufacturing sectors, with previous internships at the Air Force Research Laboratory, UCLA, and Curia Pharmaceuticals, as well as a full-time position with the Naval Nuclear Laboratory. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Mexico. She is motivated to use her skills and influence to contribute towards innovative solutions for a bright and livable future.

Born and raised in St. Louis, MO Jeff joined UbiQD from Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he was working as a Production Technician making Biopharmaceuticals. Before Thermo Fisher, Jeff worked as a Wet Chemistry Analyst at PDC Laboratories Inc. Jeff received his Bachelor’s in Health Sciences form Illinois College in 2020.

Maharshi Dey is a Senior Scientist at UbiQD. He received his BTech in Mechanical Engineering from West Bengal University of Technology, India, after which he worked as a Junior Engineer. He earned his MS and PhD from University of North Dakota, working on multiple novel materials science research projects. During this time, Maharshi worked on developing novel sustainable materials and processes for nanomaterials, polymers, nano-laminated ceramics and composites. He has also worked as a Graduate R&D Intern in the Product Development team at 3M, working with different polymeric materials. He received his PMP certification in 2021. Maharshi believes that implementing sustainability in materials research can have a long-term impact in benefiting upcoming technologies.

Alex Duero is a Marketing Manager at UbiQD. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Digital Marketing Technology from the University of Wisconsin - Stout. With experience in digital marketing and graphic design, Alex has a track record of elevating brands' and businesses' online presence through targeted campaigns and visually appealing design. Before becoming a full-time employee at UbiQD, Alex completed internships at UbiQD and Thomson Reuters. At Thomson Reuters, he helped inform the website sustainability consensus for internal and external clients. Alex believes that leveraging digital marketing and design to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices is essential to driving a more environmentally conscious future.

Tyler brings 15 years of experience in Greenhouse production and facility management of a wide range of crops in multiple states to the UbiGro team. Based in Salinas, California. "Being a fourth-generation farmer, I look to improve and empower the grower, and with UbiGro, we can do just that."

Jaydeep Amit Pujara is an experienced and highly analytical mechanical engineer with diverse knowledge and hands-on experience in both hardware and software engineering. With experience in multiple industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and more, he brings a unique perspective to any project. He has a proven track record of success with a strong commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. Mechanical engineer by day and problem-solver by night! Empowering productivity through innovative designs of tomorrow. Shaping the future with actionable results and smart solutions. Create, Connect, Create a long-lasting impact!

Jeremy Badgett received his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and biology from the University of New Mexico. Following his previous work with quantum dots and inorganic synthesis, he began his work with UbiQD to further his ideals of using chemistry with biology to make a better, greener world.

Daniel Harkey is a seasoned logistics professional. He began his educational experiences at Mesa Community College, where he laid the groundwork for his career. Eager and enthusiastic, Daniel has consistently demonstrated his willingness to expand his knowledge and adapt to the ever-evolving Quantum Dot landscape. Daniel Harkey is poised to contribute his expertise and passion to UbiQD.

Joshua Yanicak received his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with an ESRI certification in Geographic Information Services (GIS) from the University of San Francisco. He built skills of quality assessment and quality control through his undergrad career working as a field sampler and as a public health and safety inspector at the university. After graduating, he strengthened his interpersonal experience working with customers, business partners, and colleagues as a manager in the retail sector. Joshua believes the combination of skills and experiences brings new innovations and ideas forward.

Maryna Anatska received her B.Sc. in Physics from Belarusian State University in Minsk. She earned her Masters of Science in Physics from Texas A&M University, advisor Professor Donald Naugle. Her M.Sc. thesis was on charge transport characteristics, including thermopower, of high-temperature superconductors at cryogenic temperatures. Maryna Anatska’s additional experience is in developing client-side and server-side web applications in PHP and JavaScript for e-commerce websites. Her current interests are in semiconductor spectroscopy and data mining for materials research.

Jessica comes to UbiQD with a 20-year background in network security sales. Her skills in communication, organization, and service position her to support CEO Hunter McDaniel as the company continues to find new revenue opportunities with its emerging technology.

Noel Mireles joined UbiQD in the spring of 2024 as a Senior Scientist supporting the Analytics team. He is passionate about the discovery of nanomaterials and understanding their fundamental properties with the aim of helping to solve society’s most challenging environmental problems. His journey in research began with an NSF-funded internship at The University of Texas at Austin in 2013, focusing on biochemistry research. This experience motivated him to pursue a bachelor’s in chemistry at Texas State University. During his undergraduate years, Noel conducted material science research under Dr. Christopher Rhodes, specializing in nickel hydroxide nanosheets for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER). After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in 2018, he pursued a PhD in Chemistry at Texas A&M University, focusing on perovskite nanocrystals under Dr. Matthew Sheldon's guidance. His doctoral work centered on optimizing perovskite nanoparticles' properties, yielding significant advancements in synthetic methods and applications. Noel's accomplishments include pioneering synthetic routes for perovskite heterostructures, advancing semiconductor nanomaterials for optical refrigeration, and innovating nanoparticle colloidal control for superlattice formation. Alongside his expertise in material synthesis and characterization, he developed proficiency in optical setup optimization. Noel is eager to leverage his expertise to contribute to UbiQD's revolutionary advancements in nanotechnology, believing in the brighter future each new discovery brings.

Maximilian 'Max' Snider received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Prior to starting at UbiQD, Max worked to develop and implement a pilot plant in Rochester, NY making dsRNA as a pesticide. Max is particularly delighted by seeing completed products that he and his coworkers have made and takes great pride in the fact he has produced the most dsRNA in the world. Max is very excited to be assisting with the production of a lot of quantum dots.

Marc Aldape joined the UbiQD team as a Chemistry Technician in June of 2024, traveling from Paradise, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and has done undergraduate research in the field of nanoparticle synthesis for use in cancer-fighting treatments under Dr. Wei Chen and PhD student Eric Amadour. His work is focused on IR and NIR quantum dots, currently working under and supporting Senior Scientist Ron Cichocki in future scientific endeavors.

Samantha Beavers holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Food Science from Kansas State University. She joins our team with five years of experience in the food regulatory industry, where she previously worked as a food microbiologist for the Kansas Department of Agriculture and a dairy scientist for the USDA. As a microbiologist, she tested dairy and meat products for the presence of pathogenic bacteria, and as a dairy scientist she conducted wet chemistry methods and FTIR spectroscopy to quantify nutritional components within milk and dairy products. Samantha is excited to be a part of the UbiQD team analyzing quantum dots!

Sarah Horger is a recent graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and a minor in Chinese Language Studies. During her time at university, Sarah worked as an undergraduate researcher while completing her degree under Dr. Javier Vela with a focus on inorganic chemistry and nanoparticles. This year Sarah was included in a publication as an author which discusses phase evolution and the superior stability of multinary tin chalcohalides. Sarah is thrilled to join the UbiQD team and aid in discovering a more sustainable future.

Mike is UbiQD’s Facilities Manager. Mike spent the last fifteen years at the University of Michigan where he was most recently the Building Manager for the Department of Chemical Engineering. He holds a Master of Education Degree from the University of Missouri and a certificate of Facilities Management Professional from the International Facility Management Association. He is a passionate outdoorsman, conservationist, and environmentalist who looks forward to supporting the team at UbiQD in creating a greener, more sustainable future.

Coming soon.

Jeff Bargiel is a seasoned business development leader and grant manager in innovative early-stage technical products such as crop stimulants derived from algae. He is an entrepreneur who founded an industrial biotech company developing natural herbicides for invasive woody plants derived from termites. He founded and sold a company developing and selling heated yoga mats. Prior to UbiQD, Jeff directed entrepreneurship programs for CNM Ingenuity, a workforce development and research park in central New Mexico, including a space-tech accelerator for the Air Force Research Lab, Ski Lift Pitch, and the New Mexico Entrepreneur-in-Development Program. He earned a Bachelors of Science Applied Physics from Kettering University and Master of Science Physics Entrepreneurship from Case Western Reserve University.

Sara is an experienced, creative professional with over ten years of experience in industry PCB and embedded computer design and a lifetime passion for electronics and building computers recreationally. She received her A.A.S. in Electrical Engineering Design from South Plains College, a B.A. in Art and a B.S. in Architecture with a minor in Geology from Texas Tech University, and a master's in Architectural Engineering from Harvard. As an electronics and computer hardware enthusiast and conscientious environmentalist, Sara is excited to be part of the UbiQD team working to make the future brighter.

Gordon Armstrong earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Valdosta State University and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Florida State University. Gordon has a background in chemical manufacturing including polymers, pharmaceuticals, food additives, and other fine and specialty chemicals. As Senior Chemical Engineer at UbiQD, Gordon brings his experience in process engineering, process development/scale up, and project engineering to help further develop the production of quantum dots.

Conan is a Senior Chemist. He obtained a BS from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and defending soon a PhD in Materials Science. His prior work and expertise pertains to a wide range of nanotechnology, including extensive experience in visible and NIR II-VI and I-III-VI synthesis and fabricating electroluminescent and charge separation devices as well as deep spectroscopic, XRD, and electron microscopy/FIB experience. He has contributed to 8 peer reviewed publications and a thesis focusing on the temperature dependent characterization of quantum dots, nanorods, and their devices and is motivated to contribute towards advancing the field of low cost nanoscale heterostructures.

Rachel Ehrmann is a Production Technician at UbiQD, specializing in the scaled-up production of quantum dots. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from UNCC, where she conducted synthesis and research of solvatofluorochromic thiazolothiazoles. Prior to joining UbiQD, Rachel worked as a Tissue Culture Technician, where she cultivated a strong interest in applying scientific principles to sustainable solutions. She is excited to join UbiQD and contribute to the advancement of clean energy through innovative materials and technologies.