(3ef) Catalysis for a Sustainable and Circular Economy

Catalysis is paramount in the production of chemicals and environmental remediation and will play an increasingly large role in water, energy, food, and health challenges. The development of next-generation catalytic technologies in addition to those tangentially related (e.g. sensors and separations) requires fundamental studies that dive into the intricacies of active centers and mechanisms at the atomic level. My future research group’s objective will be to study how catalytic active centers are influenced by and interact with its local environment and will utilize a three-pronged approach: (1) synthesis and preparation of model materials and elucidate atomic details using (2) kinetic rate measurements and (3) spectroscopic and microscopic characterization methods, ideally simultaneously during the reaction. Furthermore, my future research group will collaborate and work with researchers of different backgrounds and expertise around the globe, bringing together a confluence of experiences, viewpoints, and approaches conducive for new discoveries and breakthroughs.

PhD Dissertation:

“Synthesis and Characterization of Copper-Exchanged Zeolite Catalysts and Kinetic Studies on NO_x Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) with Ammonia”
Purdue University, School of Chemical Engineering, Advisor: Fabio H. Ribeiro

Postdoctoral Research:

“Electrocatalysis Under Cover: Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) on Defective Graphene-Covered Pt(111)” and “Kinetics of Pt(111) Oxidation in Acidic Media”
Leiden University, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Advisor: Marc T.M. Koper

Teaching Interests:

Teaching – in the classroom, the laboratory, to the general public, and in life – is my passion as I am constantly pondering ways to more effectively transfer knowledge and understanding. I believe we are at the beginning of one of the largest educational revolutions in 150 years spearheaded by the internet, active learning, and adversity. The internet is distributing access to a wealth of resources and capabilities for virtual meetings, active learning is providing alternatives to traditional lectures, and adversity from the COVID-19 pandemic will leave lasting impacts on the future of education. I am looking forward to teach, innovate, and adapt at the forefront of this new era and have been preparing myself for successful teaching in the laboratory, in the classroom, and in cyberspace.

My teaching experience includes being a teaching fellow twice for the undergraduate fluid mechanics course at Purdue University and structured study group leader for the undergraduate general chemistry course at the University of Michigan where I supervised laboratory sessions, gave guest lectures, and prepared/graded homework and exams. Additionally, I developed educational materials with H. Scott Fogler for his book and website “Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering” and took a 3-credit “Educational Methods in Engineering” course with Phillip Wankat and Matthew Ohland where we discussed learning theories, compared instructional methods, and designed documents for course organization and management. I am competent to teach any core chemical engineering course and would like to develop a 1-credit “Design and Construction of Tubing and Piping Systems” course targeted for senior undergraduates and first-year graduate students if facilities and funds are available. To tie my research into teaching, I am enthusiastically willing to teach or develop courses in materials characterization, reaction kinetics in catalysis, and/or electrocatalysis.