Zachary Sherman
Zach Sherman is an assistant professor of chemical engineering. The Z Lab leverages a unique computational tool set to investigate the self-assembly, transport, and effective properties of colloidal materials, particularly those driven by or responsive to electromagnetic fields. Broadly, we are interested in (1) developing new computational methods that are both fast and accurate, (2) elucidating fundamental relationships among electromagnetic fields, colloid structure, colloid dynamics, and effective properties, and (3) applying this fundamental understanding for application-specific design of colloidal material technologies. Our specific interests include designing new optical metamaterials incorporated in optoelectronic devices, understanding field-driven transport of magnetic colloids within porous media for biomedical applications,...
Di Xiao
Di Xiao is Department Chair of Materials Science & Engineering, the Robert J. Campbell Chair in the College of Engineering, and Professor of Physics at the UW. Xiao develops novel ways to probe and control magnetism in van der Waals materials. He investigates novel phenomena, including transport and optical signatures of topological phases and heterostructure engineering of novel quantum states. Xiao is a renowned theorist in the field of quantum materials, having been named a Thomson-Reuters Highly Cited Researcher every year since 2017, with his work cited over 46,000 times and holding an h-index of 71....
Chris Torres
CEI Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Chris Torres works with chemical engineering assistant professor Julie Rorrer to develop self-sustainable community outreach programs to advance under-represented Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous (BHI) populations, while also researching sustainable chemical catalysis. Rorrer is the founder of the ColorMePhD program, which uses art to foster engagement, participation, and belonging in science and engineering programs for underrepresented and at-risk youth. Alongside Rorrer and CEI’s Education & Workforce Engagement staff, Torres engages BHI communities by leveraging relationships with undergraduate institutions such as Northwest Indian College; and by aligning with the missions of established Seattle-area educational programs like Rainier Scholars, Daybreak Star, and...
Douglas A. Reed
Assistant Professor of Chemistry The Reed lab makes microporous materials - solids with molecule-sized pores and atomically thin walls that result in very high surface areas. While typical microporous materials are made with rigid and insulating walls, our group utilizes new types of chemical bonds that are flexible or conductive, making the resultant structures amenable for efficient greenhouse gas capture, water purification, energy storage, or alternative energy production. Email | Website...
Aniruddh Vashisth
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering The Vashisth research lab focuses on energy efficient, advanced manufacturing of materials and composites. Specifically, we are interested in using low-frequency electromagnetic fields (1-200 MHz) and plasma for manufacturing and processing composites, synthesis of batteries materials, and recycling polymers. Additionally, the lab also couples experimental work with molecular simulations. Our lab uses reactive molecular dynamics to understand the reactive events that drive and can potentially be optimized for advanced manufacturing. The Vashisth lab is part of the Microsoft Climate Research Initiative. Email | Website | LinkedIn...
Zhihan Zhang
I am a 2nd year PhD student at the University of Washington Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, advised by Prof. Vikram Iyer and Prof. Shwetak Patel. My research focuses on deploying ubiquitous sustainable computational things to environments. My research interests are highly interdisciplinary, combining sustainable materials, electronic devices, energy harvesting-enabled embedded systems, ubiquitous computing, and human-computer interaction. Prior to joining Allen School, I did my M.S. in Quantitative & Computational Finance and received my B.S. in Computer Engineering with highest honors from Georgia Institute of Technology....
Yusen Ye
I'm currently in my third year pursuing a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Washington, mentored by Prof. Ting Cao and Prof. Di Xiao. My research is centered on moiré systems that emerge when two layers of two-dimensional materials are stacked, resulting in a huge periodicity due to small lattice mismatches or twisted angles – sometimes up to 100 times the original lattice constant. The discovery of two-dimensional magnets has opened doors to an exciting subfield: moiré magnets. In this realm, magnetic behaviors can vary locally, and the combination of low dimensionality with a vast contact surface offers opportunities for...
Aaron Thomas
Aaron Thomas is a PhD student in Materials Science at the University of Washington, hailing from western New York. His research interests are in the development of clean energy storage mechanisms in the Jun Liu group, to support the growth of renewable energy. He is currently focusing on characterization of interphases formed in cycling of lithium metal-sulfur batteries, in the hopes of understanding the behavior at these interfaces through in-situ and ex-situ analysis. He began his work in energy storage as a second-year undergraduate at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he later earned bachelor’s degrees in Materials Science and Chinese language studies. Before...
Mahdokht (Maddie) Soltani
I am a second-year Ph.D. student in Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington, where I work in the Rorrer lab on heterogeneous catalysis. In the Rorrer lab, my research is focused on developing inexpensive earth abundant catalysts that depolymerize and upcycle polyolefins that represent plastic waste in milder conditions while minimizing methane formation, which is an incentive for plastic waste recycling, reducing the severe burden of plastic waste globally. Along with research, I enjoy engaging in outreach activities. Recently, I was one of the directors for the Distinguished Young Scholars Seminar (DYSS), where I organized an NSF-style panel for speaker selection and prepared...
Morgan Skala
Morgan is a third-year chemistry graduate student working in the Golder lab. Her work currently focuses on mechanochemical upcycling of polystyrene (PS) waste into trifluoromethylated PS and sulfonated PS for applications in OFETs and PEDOT:PSS organic conductors. Outside of lab, she likes to explore coffee shops in Seattle, crochet, and go to concerts....
Lingnan Shen
I am a third year Physics PhD student at University of Washington where I am advised by Prof. Di Xiao. I am broadly interested in the intersection between quantum information and quantum matter, especially in implementing theoretical condensed matter problem on actual quantum hardware. Previously, I had experience with using computational tools to explore the application of atomic defect in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) in quantum sensing technology. I’m also involved in several outreach activities such as the UW Research Computing Club and the Climate & Diversity Committee of Physics Department....
Joelle Scott
I am a second-year Chemical Engineering PhD student in the Bergsman Lab. My research focuses on using molecular layer deposition to upgrade the synthesis of thin-film composite membranes for water treatment. I am a passionate advocate for sustainability and equity in STEM. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors hiking with friends, traveling, going to concerts, and watching movies with my cat Yoshi....