(2cz) Understanding Ion Transport and Thermodynamics in Electrochemical Systems for Energy and Separations

My research will seek to establish a comprehensive understanding of ion transport and thermodynamics in electrochemical systems towards the development of materials for addressing the energy and separation challenges of the 21^st century.

Research Experience:

My research has spanned a range of energy and separation materials connected by a common goal of understanding and modeling ion transport and thermodynamic behavior. At the University of Texas at Austin, my PhD. work with Dr. Joan Brennecke focused on the investigation of ionic liquid systems with an emphasis on ion pairing and microstructure formation. During this time, I worked closely with Dr. Brennecke to introduce high-throughput instrumentation into the lab for rapid mixture creation and characterization. These efforts involved the customization of a ChemSpeed automation robot that autonomously prepares and mixes viscous IL samples in an inert environment which will significantly increase productivity throughout the lab saving thousands of graduate student hours. Beyond expediting characterization, I developed a machine learning framework for predicting IL conductivity, viscosity, and density values using COSMO-RS sigma-profiles leading to a multidisciplinary collaboration with Dr. Mark Stadtherr and Dr. Michael Baldea designing, synthesizing and process modeling of new Ionic liquids for carbon capture.¹

At the University of California Santa Barbara my postdoctoral research alongside Dr. Segalman and Dr. Raphaele Clement has focused on the application of advanced NMR techniques towards elucidating ion transport mechanisms in a range of polymer-based materials for both energy and water treatment processes including polymer electrolytes, mixed-ion conductors and polymer hydrogels. This research has enabled me to expand my research background beyond liquid electrolytes while learning an entirely set of characterization techniques.

Teaching Statement:

Throughout my academic career I have sought teaching and mentorship opportunities. As an undergraduate at the University of Connecticut I was an inaugural fellow in the Undergraduate Teaching and Mentorship Fellow Program, serving as a teaching assistant for introductory to chemical engineering and kinetics. At the University of Texas, I served as a teaching assistant for undergraduate transport as well as separations, and was hired to TA separations on special department assignment for an additional semester beyond my graduate program requirements. Additionally, I served as a mentor for the National Science Foundation Center for Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources High School Research Fellows Program. As one of two primary mentors I worked with three high school students for 7 hours a day guiding them through a research project while teaching them scientific fundamentals.

My background in Chemical Engineering has prepared me to teach any of the core chemical engineering courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. I would be particularly excited to teach thermodynamics and fundamentals of mass and energy transport. In addition to the core curriculum, I am interested in developing a course targeted towards graduate and advanced undergraduate students centered around understanding ion transport and thermodynamics electrochemical system emphasizing organic electrolytes.