Seung Hee Chae
seunghee.chae@yale.edu
Linkedin
Thrust 1
GOALS
Sustainable utilization of nanomaterials in water treatment. Understanding the mechanisms of Advance Oxidation Process (AOP) for its efficient application.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) through utilization of nanobubbles.
Investigating the reactions that occur at the interface of the nanobubbles.
BACKGROUND
Fulbright Scholar, 2021-2023
PhD Environmental Engineering, Yale University (in progress)
MS Civil & Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University 2021
BS Civil & Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University 2019
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
Fiona Chen
fhc1@rice.edu
Verduzco Lab
Thrust 3
GOALS
Fabricate membranes that could remove toxic ions from water with chelating agents.
Improve the understanding of process variables on the efficiency of electrodialysis water treatment.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Developing a portable system for household greywater treatment.
BACKGROUND
BS Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University 2021; GPA 3.94/4.3
PhD student in Chemical Engineering; 2021-present, Rice University
Li Chen
lchen5@miners.utep.edu
Linkedin
Thrust 2
GOALS
Fabricate low-cost ion exchange membranes for Electrodialysis
Test of ED IEMs
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Fabrication of novel Ion Exchange Membranes (IEMs) for electrodialysis desalination technology.
BACKGROUND
PhD Environmental Science and Engineering, UTEP, 2019-present
MS Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, 2018
BS Water Engineering, Hohai University, 2012
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
Yu Chen
yc116@rice.edu
LinkedIn
Thrust 1
Claire Chouinard
claire.chouinard@yale.edu
LinkedIn Thrust 1
GOALS
Uncover the fundamental thermo-, photo-, and electro-chemical mechanisms that are responsible for the removal of the water contaminants (i.e., PFAS and nitrate/nitrite), which in turn will inform design strategies for better catalysts.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Developing density functional theory (DFT) modeling method for photoelectrochemical (PEC) reactions on semiconductors. Mechanistic insight into the photo-oxidation of perfluorocarboxylic acid (PFCA) over h-BN and TiO2.
Investigating PFCA reductive defluorination mechanism by hydride on Pd Electrocatalytic nitrate/nitrite reduction on Cu, Pd, and boron-doped diamond (BDD) surfaces.
Designing novel covalent-organic framework (COF) and investigating its heterogeneous catalysis applications.
Applying molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the mechanical properties of inorganic nanomaterials.
BACKGROUND
B.S. in Chemistry; 2019 East China Normal University
GOALS
Reduce toxicity of industrial wastewaters by breaking carbon-halogen (C-X) bonds.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Electrodeposition of Pd single-atom catalysts (SAC) on vitreous carbon foam support.
Batch electrocatalytic reduction of C-X bonds using Pd SAC electrode (with halogenated phenols as model contaminant).
Development of flow-through electrochemical cell for electrocatalytic processes.
BACKGROUND
B.S. Chemical Engineering; Minors in Chemistry, Sociology, and Industrial Engineering; University of Pittsburgh 2021; GPA 3.97/4.0
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
Soobin Cho
sc150@rice.edu
GoogleScholar
GOALS
Develop patterned electroactive membranes for electrochemical fouling control.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Develop interdigitated-patterned electrodes on polymeric substrates and control biofouling in membrane systems.
BACKGROUND
MS, Environmental Engineering, 2020 Pusan National University
BS, Environmental Engineering, 2018 Pusan National University (South Korea)
Eva Deemer
emdeemer@utep.edu
LinkedIn
Scaling & Fouling Control
GOALS
Lower the cost of water quality.
Create technologies for the utilizing complex waste streams.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Developing methods to reduce bio fouling and increase energy efficiency
Developing water treatment technologies from novel materials and nanotechnology.
Enhancing sustainable water treatment technologies for resource recovery.
BACKGROUND
PhD. Materials Science and Engineering; UTEP 2013-2017
B.S. Chemistry; UTEP 2005-2008
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
Juan Donoso
jad15@rice.edu
Google Scholar
LinkedIn Thrust 1
Alireza Farsad
afarsad@asu.edu
LinkedIn Thrust 1
GOALS
Create mathematical models and tackle reactor design challenges to improve catalysis-based water decontamination reactors.
Develop new materials and reactor designs for nanotechnology enabled treatment of Nitrate and PFOA.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Developed a mathematical model for simulating the performance of membrane nanoparticle reactors.
Develop Techno-Economic analysis to assess the viability and guide the development of water treatment technology.
BACKGROUND
BS Chemical Engineering; USFQ (Ecuador) 2015; GPA 3.61/4 Fulbright Scholar from Quito, Ecuador 2019-21
MS Chemical Engineering, Rice University 2021
PhD Chemical Engineering, Rice University – In Progress
GOALS
Designing and synthesis of selective high-capacity amorphous adsorbents for removal of oxyanions and heavy metals from water.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Impregnation of activated carbon block with amorphous titanium (hydr)oxide for efficient removal of arsenic via point-of-use systems.
Enhancing the adsorption capacity of amorphous titanium (hydr)oxide by adding different amorphous grades of cerium (hydr)oxide for simultaneous removal of As, V, W, Cr, and Se.
Deep study of amorphous metal (hydr)oxides structure and physical/chemical properties, and mechanism of oxyanions adsorption onto them.
BACKGROUND
M.Sc. Chemical Engineering; 2015 Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
B.Sc. Chemical Engineering; 2012 University of Tehran
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
Yuren Feng
yf19@rice.edu
LinkedIn
Thrust 3
Casey Finnerty
casey.finnerty@yale.edu
LinkedIn Thrust 3
GOALS
Removing containment ions from water by electrochemical processes.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Enhancing Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction by Using Polarity Exchange on Iron Cluster Catalyst.
Concentration Countered Electrodialysis for selective and Efficient Extraction of Lithium in Geothermal Brine.
Advanced Materials for Selective Selenium removal by electrochemical processes.
BACKGROUND
Finalist of Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize by DoE; 2022 Lowenstein scholarship recipient; 2019 PhD in Environmental Engineering; 2019-present Rice University BS in Environmental Engineering; 2019 Tsinghua University
GOALS
Understand how decision-making tools like techno-economic analysis, lifecycle assessment, and social impact analysis can be used to make informed decisions about water infrastructure.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Evaluation of the future challenges and prospects of municipal wastewater reuse concentrate management.
Incorporating social factors into a multi-criteria decision analysis of alternative potable water production strategies.
Techno-economic analysis of passive atmospheric water harvesting technologies for water production in remote settings.
BACKGROUND
NEWT Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow; 2022
Ph.D. Environmental Engineering; 2022 University of California, Berkeley
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Recipient; 2017
M.S. Environmental Engineering; 2016 University of California, Berkeley
B.S. Chemical Engineering; 2013 University of California, Berkeley
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
Taylor Mackenzie Fisher
Thrust 1
tmfishe6@asu.edu
LinkedIn
Srishti Gupta
sgupt151@asu.edu
GoogleScholar
Linkedin
Thrust 1
GOALS
To create new nanomaterials that inactivate biological contaminants in water without polluting ecological systems.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Characterization and Fabrication of Gold Nanoparticles for Biomedical and Water Treatment Applications.
Toxicity and Potential of Metal Organic Framework (MOF) nanomaterials.
BACKGROUND
Environmental Engineering PhD Student in the Perreault Laboratory at Arizona State University (ASU)
ASU Dean’s Fellowship Recipient, 2021
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Recipient, 2021
B.S. Bioengineering, Minor in Spanish, University of Louisville
GOALS
Understand the mechanisms of water remediation processes such as adsorption and catalysis for removal of advanced toxic contaminants such as oxo-anions, volatile organic compounds and nitrates using ab-initio calculations to discover new materials with higher performance.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Predicting selective metal-oxide nano-adsorbents for selective removal of Se and As oxo-anions using Density Functional Theory
Electrochemical recycling N from wastewater towards fossil-free NH3 production.
BACKGROUND
MS, Chemical Engineering, 2018 Arizona State University, Tempe
BE, Chemical Engineering, 2016 Birla Institute of Technology and Science –Pilani, India
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
Tayler Hedtke
tayler.hedtke@yale.edu
LinkedIn
Thrust 3
Austin
Henke
ahenke1@asu.edu
Linkedin
Safety and Sustainability
GOALS
Develop membrane technologies that improve the efficiency of water treatment.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Incorporating single atom catalysts onto porous ceramic supports.
Creating a catalyst-functionalized membranes for contaminant filtration and degradation.
Optimization of a single atom catalyst-functionalized membrane with an active support.
BACKGROUND
M.S. in Chemical and Environmental Engineering; 2021 Yale University
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry minor; 2015 UH; GPA 3.88/4
GOALS
Ensure safety and sustainability of nano-enabled water treatment devices through detection and mitigation of released nanomaterials.
Develop standard protocols for nanoparticle analysis in water samples through collaboration with NSF International.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Understanding dissolved and particulate Pd/In catalyst release from nitrate reduction reactors.
Collaborating with Folia Water company to test their inexpensive carbon-silver nanomaterial water filters.
BACKGROUND
Ph.D., Chemistry, 2021 University of Wisconsin – Madison
M.S., Chemistry, 2018 University of Wisconsin – Madison
B.S., Chemistry, 2015 Truman State University
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
GOALS
Develop catalysts that address the high usage of precious metals in waterrelated contaminants treatment.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Design of nanostructured catalysts to remove nitrate/nitrite
Develop PGM-lean catalyst for nitrate reduction
BACKGROUND
MSE, Civil & Environmental Engineering; Seoul Nation University 2019
BS, Civil & Environmental Engineering; Yonsei University 2017
Kiheon Hong
kh67@rice.edu
Thrust 1
Inhyeong Jeon
Inhyeong.jeon@yale.edu
LinkedIn
Thrust 2
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Co-Chair
GOALS
Develop sustainable small-scale water treatment system by using smart materials.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Evaluating disinfection performance of diverse solar based point-of-use technologies under various situations.
Understanding a role of architecture grafted thermosensitive polymer in antifouling and fouling reversibility of membrane.
BACKGROUND
Kwanjeong Education Foundation Scholarship Recipient (2019-2023)
MPhil Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Yale University 2022
MS Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Yale University 2021
MS Civil & Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University 2019
BS Civil & Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University 2017
CENTER
NEWT
STUDENT BIO BOOK
Bongyeon Jung
bjung10@asu.edu
LinkedIn Thrust 1
Junseok Lee
junseok.lee@yale.edu
LinkedIn Thrust 1
GOALS
Investigate and overcome the differences of water treatment technologies in different scales.
Create technologies that can recover precious metals in various water resources.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Investigation on the feasibility of scaled-up membrane catalytic film reactor (MCfR) for nitrate-contaminated water.
Simultaneous precious metal removal and production of precious metal catalyst from the metal-containing water resources.
BACKGROUND
Ph.D Environmental Engineering; UCLA (2022)
B.S Environmental Engineering; Kyonggi University (2016)
GOALS
Advanced treatment processes for PFAS remediation: physical and chemical approaches.
Development and demonstration of catalysts for nitrate reduction in water treatment processes.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Impacts of surface coating aging on the fate, transport, and efficacy of nanofertilizers during Foliar Application.
Develop Reactive Materials Capable of Degrading and/or Sequestering PFAS and Chlorinated Ethenes.
BACKGROUND
BS and MS Civil and Environmental Engineering; Korea University
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
Juliana Levi
jnlevi1@asu.edu
LinkedIn Thrust 1
Yusi Li
yusili@asu.edu
LinkedIn Thrust 2
GOALS
Scaling up nitrate reduction technology using a membrane catalyst-film reactor (MCfR). Key steps to achieve include 1) irreversible catalyst attachment, 2) optimizing the catalyst surface for nitrate reduction, and 3) preventing catalyst fouling and deactivation.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Nano-Enabled Membrane Catalytic Film Reactor (MCfR) System to Transform Nitrate and PFAS
Techno-Economic Analysis of Hydrogen and Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium and Nitrogen Gas
BACKGROUND
Manufacturing Engineer, PET Processors LLC, 2015-2017
BS in Chemical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 2015
GOALS
Synthesize novel nano-composite membrane for low-energy pervaporation desalination.
Synthesize novel electrodialysis membranes for selectively removal of nitrate
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Using nanomaterials to improve the efficiency of pervaporation membrane for desalination.
Optimizing the pervaporation process in desalination field.
Using charged electrodialysis membranes to specifically concentrate nitrate from polluted water
BACKGROUND
BSc Environmental Science (Concentrate on Environmental Ecology Engineering); Qinghai University, Xining, China – 2013
MSc Civil and Environmental Engineering; The George Washington University, Washington D.C. - 2017
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
Xiangxing Long
xlong9@asu.edu
LinkedIn Safety & Sustainability
GOALS
Evaluate potential applications of biosynthesized and engineered nanomaterials
Investigate potential health risks associated with the nanoparticles entering human body
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Studying the neurotoxic potential of magnetic pollution nanoparticles
Quantifying and tracking the reactivity of biosynthesized and engineered nanomaterials
BACKGROUND
Ira Fulton Fellowship Award 2018; Arizona State University
GIS Undergraduate Research Assistant; Purdue University; 2016-2018
BS Environmental and Ecological Engineering; 2018 Purdue University; GPA 3.72/4.0
Yihao Luo
yluo93@asu.edu
LinkedIn
Environmental Engineering
GOALS
Develop methods to coat and use the catalyst-film on the hollow fiber membranes.
Create technologies for the removal and mineralization of halogenated organic pollutant in wastewater and drinking water
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Synergistic Reductive Dechlorination of 1,1,1-Trichloroethane and Trichloroethene and Aerobic Degradation of 1,4-Dioxane. Catalytic and Biological Synergistic Treatments of Persistent Halogenated Organic Pollutants (HOPs).
PFAS Defluorination and Mineralization in a Catalytic and Biological Synergistic Platform
BACKGROUND
PhD, Environmental Engineering; ASU 2022; GPA 4.0/4.0
MS, Environmental Engineering; ASU 2018; GPA 3.69/4.0
BA, Agriculture Resources and Environment; ZJU 2015; GPA 3.5/4.0
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
Susanna Maisto
susanna.maisto@yale.edu
LinkedIn
Multi-Functional Nanomaterials
GOALS
Synthesize novel materials for emerging contaminant removal from water.
Focus on engineering sustainable processes.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Advanced nanomaterials for PFAS removal
BACKGROUND
NSF Graduate Research Fellow, 2022-Present
NIH Postbaccalaureate Research Fellow, 2020-2021
BS Chemistry, The College of William & Mary 2020, GPA 3.76/4.0
Njideka Nnorom
njideka.c.nnorom@rice.edu
LinkedIn
Thrust 3
GOALS
Develop materials to selectively target and remove ionic contaminants from water
Create technologies for the removal of toxic compounds in drinking water.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Sulfonated Polymer Coating Enhances Selective Removal of Calcium in Membrane Capacitive Deionization
Synthesized Iminodiacetic Acid Functionalized Membranes for the Selective Removal of Copper in Produced Water using Electrodialysis
BACKGROUND
BS Chemical Engineering, Arizona State University - 2018
PhD Chemical Engineering, Rice University - Present
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO
BOOK
Obinna
Nwokonkwo
onwokonk@asu.edu
LinkedIn Thrust 1
Kevin Pataroque
kevin.pataroque@yale.edu
LinkedIn Thrust 2
GOALS
Application of computational chemistry techniques toward understanding and designing highly selective adsorbent materials via hybrid electronic and atomistic scale simulations
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Ab initio investigation of transition–metal crosslinked chitosan for selective removal of target contaminants e.g Arsenic from challenging water matrices
Simulations to understand the selective removal of heavy metal oxyanions from water using small molecule organometallics such as Ferrocene
Atomistic and coarse-grained Molecular dynamics simulations to understand the mesoscale structure of polymeric systems for informed electronic scale simulations
BACKGROUND
B.Eng Chemical Engineering, 2014 Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria MS, Mechanical Engineering, 2020 Southern University and A&M College Baton Rouge
GOALS
Development of sustainable and cost-effective brine management strategies for desalination processes. Reduce freshwater withdrawals and improve access to drinkable water in water scarce areas.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Investigating salt transport at hypersaline and ultrahigh pressure conditions proposed in High Pressure Reverse Osmosis, a modified RO operation to reduce brine volume.
Developing technique to isolate and transfer a polyamide membrane onto a substrate for QCM-D applications.
BACKGROUND
Ph.D. Environmental Engineering, Yale University (In Progress)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Proposal Recipient, 2021
B.A. English, CWRU 2021
B.S.E. Chemical Engineering, CWRU 2021 Beckman Scholar, 2019-2020
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
Julianne Rolf
julianne.rolf@yale.edu
LinkedIn
Thrust 3
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Co-chair
Holly Rudel
holly.rudel@yale.edu
LinkedIn
Thrust 1
GOALS
Improve water treatment processes for unconventional water sources.
Expand my knowledge of pretreatment and membrane filtration processes to lower treatment costs.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Study antiscalants mechanistically for tailored selection with water sources.
Modification of membrane distillation membranes for increased permeability and water recovery.
BACKGROUND
Yao Ming Charitable Fund PEO Scholar; 2022-2023
Tau Beta Pi Fellow; 2022-2023
Yale SEAS Advance Graduate Leadership Program Fellow; 2021-2023
MPhil Chemical and Environmental Engineering; 2020 Yale University
MS Chemical and Environmental Engineering; 2018 Yale University
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Recipient; 2016
U.S. Fulbright Scholar-Germany; 2016-2017
BS Environmental Engineering; 2016 University of California, Riverside; GPA 3.9/4.0
GOALS
Informed design of adsorbent materials for specific and selective metal contaminant removal.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Metal oxide facet engineering for preferential oxoanion adsorption.
Evaluation of biopolymer support structures for nanomaterial impregnation.
Determination of interfacial sorption mechanisms between sorbent and sorbate for applications in water treatment, catalysis, and gas-sensing.
BACKGROUND
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention; 2019
MS Chemical & Environmental Engineering; 2020 Yale University
AB Chemical Physics; 2017 Bowdoin College
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
Kali Rigby
kali.rigby@yale.edu
LinkedIn
Thrust 1
Elisabeth Thomas
ethoma22@asu.edu
LinkedIn Thrust 2
GOALS
Design sustainable catalytic materials for drinking water treatment
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Investigate the stability of single atom catalysts under reaction conditions.
Synthesize single atom catalysts for selective dehalogenation of organic pollutants.
BACKGROUND
MPhil Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Yale University 2022
MS Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Yale University 2021
Sc.B. Chemistry, Brown University 2019
GOALS
Improve existing processes for purification of highly contaminated waters via membrane synthesis and development of modular technologies.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Zwitterions for anti-scaling enhancement in pervaporation membranes.
Pervaporation as a strategy for low energy input spaceflight wastewater treatment.
BACKGROUND
NASA Space Technology Research Fellow 2019-2023
ASU Dean’s and Fulton Fellow 2018-2019
NEWT Science Communications Chair 2020-2021, 2022-2023
ASU NEWT Vice President 2019-2020
ASU NEWT Center Outreach Coordinator 2018-2019
Intern: Los Alamos National Laboratories
BS in Chemical Engineering: 2018 University of New Mexico
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO BOOK
GOALS
Create and optimize new technologies for wastewater treatment process.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Side-Emitting Optical Fibers for Delivery of UV-C Light to Disinfect Key Bacteria in Space Station Water Storage and Conveyance Systems.
BACKGROUND
B.S. Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, China-2018
M.S. Environmental Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China-2019
Zhe Zhao
zzhao146@asu.edu
Thrust 1
Zhen Zhao
zzhao35@asu.edu
LinkedIn Education
GOALS
Promote high quality teaching & mentoring in engineering programs; Develop socially responsible and professionally competent future engineering workforce.
Strive for a teaching focused engineering faculty career in higher education.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Developing a suite of common evaluation tools on ERC education and diversity impact that can be used across ERCs nation-wide.
Investigating how serving as mentors benefits ERC graduate students and postdoc scholars, especially on leadership development and career trajectory preferences.
BACKGROUND
M.S. Industrial Engineering; ASU 2012
M.S. Software Engineering; Xi’an Jiaotong University 2008
B.S. Computer Science; Xi’an Jiaotong University 2004
NEWT CENTER STUDENT BIO
BOOK
