(4nr) Molecular Engineering of Water and Aqueous Solutions for Energy-Water Applications

My research interests lie primarily in understanding and manipulating molecular collective behaviors in aqueous solutions for application in advanced materials design for water and energy systems.

Molecular collective behavior (“MCB”) refers to emergent phenomena arising from the many-body interactions among the particles that make up solutions. The two most common origins of MCB in aqueous solutions arise from (1) the law of charge conservation in ionic transport, which makes ions move together collectively, and (2) the conservation of connectivity in the hydrogen bond network of water. In the past, I have contributed to understanding observations often regarded as “anomalous” by considering the collective nature of molecular systems rather than the simple average behavior of their constituent parts. I have successfully applied this approach to accurately describe the role of water’s hydrogen bond network in its liquid-liquid phase transition, to explain the electric response of charge membranes driven out of equilibrium, and to identify causes of the universal relationship between water content and conductivity in ionic exchange membranes.

For the future, I am developing a research program based on these same principles, but that radically shifts from explaining observed phenomena to engineering materials for advanced applications in energy-water systems. At a high level, my proposition is to creatively apply external stimuli to aqueous solutions to trigger collective responses in a variety of ways. For example, I envision using the principles of MCB to engineer a novel way to purify water. Specifically, by applying an electric potential to a charged membrane and leveraging what I have called the “Electrostatic Funnel,” we could remove contaminants by simple separation, or even promote the electrochemical degradation of contaminants. The principles of MCB could also be leveraged to successfully control collective water responses to stimuli, resulting in the ability to manipulate phase behavior, self-assembly, and molecular recognition of solutes in aqueous media. By manipulating these molecular processes, we could precisely direct how materials behave and interact, leading to smarter drug delivery systems that target specific cells, more effective energy storage solutions, or filters that selectively remove pollutants. These applications could be revolutionary advances for the healthcare, energy, and environmental sectors.

Please come to my stand in the faculty candidate’s poster session to discuss how we can align your department’s vision with my abilities as a future professor. For a more a more technical discussion about my most recent research activities, I would like to invite you to my talk on “designing charged membranes for energy-water applications” in the “Nanoscale Science Engineering Forum (NSEF): Faculty Candidate” session.

Teaching Interests

My passion for teaching stems from my firm belief that education has the power to transform society. Educated communities are fairer, more aware of complex systemic issues, more resilient against biases, and are inherently more collaborative.

My perspectives as educator are modeled by having studied and taught in Argentina, a country where higher education is public, free, and unrestricted, meaning there is no admissions process. This unique setting fosters an exceptionally diverse and dynamic learning environment. As a faculty member, I will integrate my experience with my department’s vision and policies to expand the understanding of diversity and inclusion on these new terms.

As a professor, I am interested in ensuring that my courses are accessible and inclusive. My student-centric approach in the formal classroom setting will be complemented by my profound commitment to mentoring students in my laboratory, always prioritizing their best interests. In my research group, I will advocate for a collaborative learning environment where knowledge is shared freely and leadership is earned rather than asserted. This approach will not only enhance the academic experience, but will also prepare students for the collaborative nature of the scientific community.

On a practical note, I bring a wealth of experience teaching a variety of Physical Chemistry courses to students from diverse academic backgrounds. As a teaching assistant at the Universidad Nacional del Sur in Argentina, I taught introductory Physical Chemistry courses for the departments of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, as well as courses in Statistical Mechanics, Physical Chemistry of Liquids, and Thermodynamics in the departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Drawing from my postdoctoral experience, I am also prepared to teach courses in Transport Phenomena, Computational Chemistry, and any other advanced graduate-level classes that are close to my research topics.

If you have additional questions about my teaching interests or teaching philosophy, I invite you to come to my stand in the faculty candidate’s poster session to have a more in-depth discussion.