Research Professors
Yosi Kratish
Research Assistant Professor
Email: yosi.kratish@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: Ph.D in Philosophy, Activation of E-H bonds (E= Pt, Si, Ge, Sn) Using RnM Reagents (M= Li, Mg, Zn, Hg), Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel; M.S. in Chemistry, 2013, Israel Institute of Technology; B.S in Chemistry-Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, 2010.
Project Summary: Catalytic chemical recycling of polymers using (a) Supported metal oxides catalysts, (b) Homogeneous catalysts. Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic study of carbon-supported molybdenum-based complexes and single-site supported organometallics catalysts. Study of molecular properties and reaction mechanisms using computational chemistry (DFT).
Yao Yao
Research Assistant Professor
Email: yao.yao@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, 2016, Southwest Petroleum University; Ph.D. in Biosystem Engineering, 2021, Zhejiang University.
Project Summary:
Organic electrochemical transistors and electrolyte-gated double-layer transistors for circuitry, biosensing, and neuromorphic applications. Electrochemical biosensors based on nanomaterials.
Adjunct Faculty
Antonio Facchetti
Adjunct Professor
Email: a-facchetti@northwestern.edu
Website:
www.chemgroups.northwestern.edu/marks/antoniofacchetti.html
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Industrial Chemistry, 1986, A. Righi Institute (Italy): M.S. in Chemistry, 1993, State University of Milano (Italy): Ph.D. in Chemistry, 1996, State University of Milano (Italy)
Project Summary: Dr. Facchetti’s research interests include organic semiconductors and dielectrics for thin-film transistors, conducting polymers, molecular electronics, organic second- and third-order nonlinearr optical materials, and organic photovoltaics.
Postdocs
Yongjoon Cho
Postdoc
Email: yongjoon.cho@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. (2016) and M.S.-Ph.D. (2022) in School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, 2022, UNIST (South Korea).
Project Summary: Design and synthesis of Organic Conjugated Materials for Optoelectronics: Organic Solar Cells, Perovskite Solar Cells, Organic Field-Effect Transistors, Organic Electrochemical Transistors, Photo Catalysts, and Related Fields.
Giacomo Forti
Postdoc
Email: giacomo.forti@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, University of Siena (2015). M.S. in Organic Chemistry, University of Firenze (2015). Visiting scholar, CNRS, Rouen (2018).
Project Summary: Design and Synthesis of novel electron acceptor polymers for organic solar cells
Lin Huang
Postdoc
Email: lin.huang@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S in Chemistry, 2012, in Nanjing University; Ph.D in Chemistry, 2017, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Project Summary: Heterogeneous catalysis, Supported organometallics, Polymerization/Depolymerization.
Qingheng Lai
Postdoc
Email: qingheng.lai@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S in Chemistry, 2013, in Nanjing University;
Ph.D in Chemistry, 2021, Texas A&M University.
Project Summary: Depolymerization catalyzed by supported early transition metals.
Qing Ma
Postdoc
Email: QingMa@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Polymer Material and Engineering, 2014, in Beijing Technology and Business University; Ph.D. in Material Physics and Chemistry, 2022, in University of Chinese Academy of Science.
Project Summary: Inorganic/organic electrolyte gated transistor for advanced circuits and bio-medical applications.
Liwei Ye
Postdoc
Email: liwei.ye@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2022, University of Southern California; B.S. in Chemistry, 2017, University of Oregon.
Project Summary: Chemical recycling/upcycling of polymers using organometallic catalysis.
Dayong Zhang
postdoc
E-mail: dayong.zhang@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Optical Engineering, 2016, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC).
Project Summary: Organic semiconductors, organic and perovskite solar cells, organic and perovskite photodetectors.
Qi Zhao
Postdoc
Email: qi.zhao1@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2023, City University of Hong Kong.
Project Summary: Chemical recycling of polymers to build a better world.
Visiting Scholars
Yifan Wang
Visiting Scholar
E-mail: yifan.wang2@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Polymer Science and Engineering,2011,Qingdao University of Science and Engineering. Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry and Physics School, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2016
Project Summary: Device engineering in organic solar cells, flexible and stretchable organic semiconductors.
Graduate Students
Amol Agarwal
Graduate Student
Email: l4e6a5@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees and Institutions: B.S. in Chemical Engineering and B.S. in Chemistry, 2020, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Project Summary: Novel catalytic materials for polymer deconstruction and hydrocarbon activation
Kristen Beckett
Graduate Student
Email: kristenbeckett2026@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.A. in Chemistry, 2021, Franklin & Marshall College
Project Summary: Homogeneous organometallic catalysis for C-H activation using f-block elements.
Anushka Dasgupta
Graduate Student
Email: dasgupta@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S.E. in Chemical and Biological Engineering, 2019, Princeton University.
Project Summary:Optoelectronic properties of chemically modified two-dimensional materials.
Isaiah Duplessis
Graduate Student
Email: isaiahduplessis2026@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, B.S. in Physics, 2020, University of Richmond
Project Summary: Investigation of electronic and optical properties in heteroanionic films
Carter Edenfield
Graduate Student
Email: WilsonEdenfield2024@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, B.S. in Mathematics, 2019, Univ. of South Carolina
Project Summary: Single-site supported organometallics for hydrogenation, polymerization, and depolymerization of olefinic materials.
Zhiyu "Clifford" Feng
Graduate Student
Email: zhiyufeng2027@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry and B.A. in Physics, 2022, Wake Forest University
Project Summary: Homogeneous catalysis using organolanthanides.
Zach Liu
Graduate Student
Email: zql@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2019, New York University; M.S. in Materials Science & Engineering, 2022, Stanford University
Project Summary: Novel electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Seongjin Park
Graduate Student
Email: seongjinpark2028@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: M.S in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, 2020, Yonsei University
Project Summary: Solid state organic electrochemical transistors for biological applications.
Yuang Wang
Graduate Student
Email: yuangwang2028@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.A. in Chemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, 2023, Johns Hopkins University
Project Summary: Synthesis of organometallic catalyst.
Yuyang Wang
Graduate Student
Email: yuyangwang2026@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2021, Pennsylvania State University
Project Summary: Focusing on side-chain engineering on organic electrochemical transistors and possible applications.
Xinrui Zhang
Graduate Student
Email: xinruizhang2025@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2018, Wuhan University; M.S. in Materials Science & Engineering, 2020, Stanford University
Project Summary: heterogeneous catalysts for selective soft oxidative methane coupling
Alumni
Sol Ahn
Post-Doc
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. (2008) and M.S. (2010) in Chemical Engineering, Yonsei University (South Korea); Ph.D in Chemical Engineering, 2019, Northwestern University
Project Summary: Catalyst design and modification by atomic layer deposition (ALD) for the dry reforming of methane.
Joaquin Alzola
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.A in Chemistry, Cornell University
Project Summary: Development of new small molecule acceptors for organic photovoltaic and electronic applications.
Sam Amsterdam
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2014 Carnegie Mellon University
Project Summary: Applications of two-dimensional nanomaterials in solar energy production.
Allison Arinaga
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2017, Ursinus College
Project Summary: Heterogeneous oxidative coupling methane using sulfur as an oxidant.
Chris Barger
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2013, University of Georgia
Project Summary: Organolanthanide-catalyzed hydroelementation of carbon-heteroatom multiple bonds
Hannah Boler
Graduate Student
Email: hannah.boler@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: M.Ed Curriculum and Instruction, Boston College, 2023, B.S. Chemistry, Loyola University Chicago 2021
Project Summary: Synthesis of ionic electrolytes and polymers for organic electrochemical transistors. Connect synthesis and research of polymers in the laboratory to high school general chemistry curriculum.
Cole Carter
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions: BS in chemistry, 2016, University of Caifornia San Diego
Project Summary: Investigation of electronically communicating metal centers in multinuclear complexes bearing redox active ligands and their reactivity in homogeneous catalysis.
Hongming Chen
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions: M.S. in Material Engineering, 2014, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; B.S. in Material Science and Engineering, 2011, Xiamen University.
Project Summary: Organic thin film transistors, organic light emitting transistors and organic light emitting diodes.
Jianhua Chen
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S.(2011) and Ph.D. (2016), Xiangtan University, China.
Project Summary: Synthesis of novel organic semiconductors for organic photovoltaics and field-effect transistors.
Yao Chen
Post-Doc
Previous Degrees & Institutions: Ph.D in Chemistry, 2018, Sichuan University. B.S. in Chemistry, 2013, Hubei University of Arts and Science (China).
Project Summary: Development of Inorganic/organic functional materials and their applications in optoelectronics.
Christian Contreras
Postdoc
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. (2011) in Chemical Engineering University of California, Riverside, M.S. (2013) in Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University and Ph.D (2022) in Chemistry, Northwestern University.
Project Summary: Catalytic study of carbon-supported molybdenum-based catalysts for polymer deconstruction.
Rachel Dicken
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions: BS in Chemistry, Ohio State University
Project Summary: Design and synthesis of novel chiral ligands for organolanthanide catalyzed asymmetric hydroelementations.
Brian Eckstein
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.A. in Economics, 2010, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Project Summary: My current research focuses on synthesis of novel molecules for organic photovoltaics and organic transistors.
Liang-Wen Feng
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2012, Sichuan University: Ph.D in Chemistry, 2017, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, under supervision of Prof. Yong Tang (SIOC, CAS)
Project Summary: Organic photovoltaic and semiconducting materials’ synthesis.
Lin Gao
Visiting Scholar
E-mail: lin.gao@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Applied physics, 2019, Hebei University of Technology.
Project Summary: Organic electrochemical transistors for bioelectronic applications.
Yanshan Gao
Research Assistant Professor
Previous Degrees & Institutions: Ph.D in Chemistry, 2012, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, under co-supervision of Prof. Yong Tang (SIOC, CAS) and Zuowei Xie (CUHK); B.S. in Chemistry, 2007, Shandong University.
Project Summary: Olefin polymerization, lubricant and lubricant additives synthesis and applications, organometallic chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, supported organometallics, atomic layer deposition (ALD) precursor design and synthesis, new Lewis acids, and hydroelementation with organolanthanide catalysts.
Chunling Gu
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2003, Sichuan University: Ph.D in organic Chemistry, 2008, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, under co-supervision of Prof. Yongjun Chen, and Li Liu
Project Summary: Organic photovoltaic and semiconducting materials’ synthesis
Minglu Huang
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions: Ph.D in Materials Science and Technology, 2017, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, under supervision of Prof. Bingyong Han; B.S. in Polymer Science and Technology, 2012, Jinan University.
Project Summary: Functionalized polyolefin via group 4 metal-catalyzed direct copolymerization.
Wei Huang
Research Assistant Professor
Previous Degrees & Institutions: Ph.D in Optical Engineering, 2016, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC); B.S. in Physics, 2010, Nankai University (China)
Project Summary: Flexible, stretchable electronics; Advanced Li-ion batteries; Thin-film transistors based on organic and metal oxide materials and their functionalities; Organic light-emitting diodes, organic and Perovskite solar cells.
Brendan Kerwin
Graduate Student
Email: brendankerwin2023@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2018, Georgetown University
Project Summary:Chemical modification of 2D materials for optoelectronic applications.
Jaehyun Kim
Postdoc
Email: jaehyun@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. (2013), M.S. (2015) and Ph.D in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, 2020, Chung-Ang University (South Korea).
Project Summary: Optoelectronic devices based on nanomaterials including thin-film transistors, sensors, and photodetectors; Flexible/wearable electronics and photo/image sensor arrays based on quantum dots, organic, and metal-oxide for biomedical and imaging applications.
Guoping Li
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2017, Sichuan University
Project Summary: Synthesis and Characterization of Organic Semiconducting Materials for Polymer Photovoltaics and Electronics.
Jiaqi Li
Postdoc
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2015, Peking University (China)
Project Summary: Supported metal oxides for biomass conversion.
Patrick Littlewood
Post-Doc
Previous Degrees & Institutions: MEng (2011) University of Manchester, UK
PhD (2015) Technische Universität Berlin, Germany.
Project Summary: Synthesis and modification of Ni heterogeneous catalysts by atomic layer deposition for the dry reforming of methane.
Shanfu Liu
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S in Chemistry, 2014, Nankai University (China)
Project Summary: Oxidative coupling of methane using sulfur as a “softer” and more selective oxidant.
Yiqi Liu
Graduate Student
Email: Yiqiliu2023@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Biochemistry, 2018, University of Richmond
Project Summary: Catalytic study of carbon-supported molybdenum-based catalysts.
Alexander Mason
Graduate Student
Email: alexandermason2022@u.northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B. S. Chemistry Kennesaw State University (2018)
Project Summary: Single-site supported organometallics for hydrogenation, polymerization and depolymerization of olefinic materials.
Robert Pankow
Postdoc
Email: robert.pankow@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2020, University of Southern California; M.S. in Chemistry, 2015, California State University, Northridge; B.A. in Chemistry, 2012, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Project Summary: Design and synthesis of conjugated polymers for organic photovoltaics.
Graeme Pugsley
Summer Intern
Email: graemepug@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemical Engineering, 2025, Florida State University
Project Summary: Characterization of polyurethane decomposition products via molybdenum catalyst
Fei Qin
Postdoc
Email: fei.qin@northwestern.edu
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2015, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST); Ph.D. in Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, 2020, HUST.
Project Summary: Organic semiconductors, transparent electrodes, flexible organic solar cells.
Jake Rothbaum
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2016, University of Georgia
Project Summary: Organometallic-catalyzed C-H activation of heterocyclic molecules using f-block elements.
Aritra Sil
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, 2014 Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Project Summary: Anion Doping in Metal Oxides Semiconductors.
Daniele Malpicci
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, University of Milan (2017). M.S. in Chemistry Science, University of Milan (2019)
Project Summary: Design and synthesis of new polymer for organic solar cells
Katie Stallings
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Biochemistry, 2011, Georgia Institute of Technology
Project Summary: Materials synthesis and fabrication of field-effect transistors.
Ning Su
Post-Doc
Previous Degrees & Institutions: Ph.D in Chemistry, 2019, Nanjing University. M.S. in Chemical Engineering, 2016, Xiangtan University. B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Technology, 2012, Zhoukou Normal University.
Project Summary: Organic photovoltaic and organic light-emitting diodes.
Steven Swick
Graduate Student
Previous Degrees & Institutions:B.S. in Chemistry, 2014, Western Washington University; M.S. in Chemistry, 2017, Yale University.
Project Summary: Synthesis of Organic Semiconducting Materials for Soft Matter Photovoltaics and Electronics
Elisa Trippodo
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, University of Palermo (2013). M.S. in Chemistry of Molecular Systems, University of Palermo (2015). Visiting scholar, University of Vienna (2017).
Project Summary: Organic Solar Cells: Additives for the improvement of the performance of organic and hybrid photovoltaic devices.
Gang Wang
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Electronic Science and Technology, 2016, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC)
Project Summary: Thin-film transistors based on organic and metal oxide materials.
Yang Wang
Post-Doc
Previous Degrees & Institutions: Ph.D in Organic Chemistry, 2017, University of Illinois at Chicago, with Prof. Vladimir Gevorgyan; M.S. in Organometallic Chemistry, 2011, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, under supervision of Prof. Zuowei Xie; B.S. in Chemistry, 2008, Wuhan University, under supervision of Prof. Qinghua Fan (ICCAS, China)
Project Summary: Group 4 bimetallic and hetero-bimetallic chemistry and polymerization catalysis.
Zhi Wang
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions: Ph.D in Materials Science with Prof. Yi Gu, 2013, Sichuan University (China); Associate research scientist in SABIC, 2014; Currently, Associate professor at North University of China (China).
Project Summary: Development organic materials and applications of metal oxides to field-effect transistor.
Jianglin Wu
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Applied Chemistry, 2015, School of Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, M.S. in Organic Chemistry, 2018, Sichuan University
Project Summary: Synthesis of novel organic semiconductors for organic photovoltaics.
Chi Zhang
Intern
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Chemistry, Expected 2023, University of Science and Technology of China
Project Summary: Heterogeneous and homogeneous organometallic catalysis for polymer recycling/upcycling.
Xiaohua Zhang
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Optical Information Science and Technology, 2015, Qufu Normal University.
Project Summary: Organic semiconductors, organic and perovskite photodetectors, morphology control in thick-film organic solar.
Dan Zhao
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Material science and engineering, 2013, Taiyuan University of Technology.
Project Summary: Organic semiconductors, organic light-emitting diodes, organic and perovskite photodetectors.
Ding Zheng
Research Assistant Professor
Previous Degrees & Institutions: B.S. in Electronic Science and Technology, 2013, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC)
Project Summary: Organic semiconductors, metal oxides, carbon nano-materials and their application in organic solar cells and perovskite solar cells.
Xinming Zhuang
Visiting Scholar
Previous Degrees & Institutions:B.S. in Electronic Science and Technology, 2014, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC)
Project Summary: Thin-film transistors based on organic and metal oxide materials and their sensors.