Professional Researchers
Dr. Maher El-Kady
Cairo University
B.S. and M.S. Chemistry
University of California, Los Angeles
Ph.D. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Energy Storage; 2D Materials; Nanogenerators; Implantable Medical Devices; Chemical Sensors, Biosensors and Drug Delivery; Water Splitting and Hydrogen Energy
Personal Website: https://www.maherelkady.com/
Biography:
Maher El-Kady is an innovator in material science and chemistry, renowned for his contributions to graphene research and advanced material applications in energy, electronics, and sustainability. As the co-founder and Chief Science and Technology Officer at Nanotech Energy, Inc., and Professional Researcher at UCLA, he’s known for pioneering next-generation batteries and supercapacitors through his expertise in materials design and implementation. With nearly 200 patents and over 75 publications, his work has garnered significant acclaim, including numerous national and international awards. He has been recognized in Iconic Express Magazine’s 2023 top 10 Influential Leaders, the American Chemical Society’s C&EN News Talented 12 award and Energy Storage Materials Young Scientist Award. His journey from foundational research at UCLA to leading a decade of research and development at Nanotech Energy has been instrumental in turning safer and more powerful lithium-ion batteries from a mere concept to commercial success. Now, as Nanotech Energy launches its 150MWh production facility in California, this journey is not just about technological advancement but also about bridging the gap between academic research and practical, scalable solutions. He discussed his research in a movie produced for the Sundance Film Festival on ideas that could change the world. He also appeared in the popular Nova science show and on BBC Four screen in a series of episodes that tell the stories behind some of the most significant inventions that helped shape the world we live in today. Throughout his career, El-Kady developed a long-standing passion for creating “smart” materials that will transform our lives.
Post Doctoral Researchers
Dr. Cheng-Wei Lin
National TsingHua University
B.S. Materials Science and Engineering
Northwestern University
M.S. Materials Science and Engineering
University of California Los Angeles
Ph.D. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Materials Chemistry
Interests:
Watching YouTube and cooking
Personal website:
https://c-wlin.com/
Willard F Libby Teacher-Scholar
Dr. Mackenzie Anderson
University of California, Los Angeles
B.S. Chemistry
M.S. Chemistry
Ph.D. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Water filtration; Polymers; Recyclable Materials
Graduate Students
Spencer G. Hamilton
Carleton College
B.A. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Superhard and ultra-incompressible materials
Interests:
Scuba diving, plants, scenic drives
Jasmine Keane
University of California, Davis
B.S. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Superhard and ultra-incompressible materials
Interests:
Coffee, plants, rock climbing
Zhiyin (Tara) Yang
Renmin University of China
B.S. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Energy storage; Li-Ion, Na-Ion, and Zn-Ion Batteries; Water-in-Salt Electrolytes; Graphene; Sustainable Battery Materials
Interests:
Piano, ballet
Sophia Uemura
University of California, Santa Barbara
B.S. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Energy storage; Zn-Ion batteries; Graphene; Supercapacitors; 3D-Printed Electrodes; Sustainable Battery Materials
Interests:
Video games, farmers markets, reading
Bradley Kroes
University of California, Santa Barbara
B.S. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Energy storage; Li-Ion and Zn-Ion Batteries; Silicon Anodes; Graphene; Surface Chemistry; Sustainable Battery Materials
Interests:
Going to the beach, playing music, golfing, and snowboarding
Izzy Davis
University of Missouri
B.S. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Energy storage; Li-Ion Batteries; Graphene; Sustainable Battery Materials
Interests:
Football, her pets (Thor and Obi), movies
Jeffrey Gombart
University of Oregon
B.S. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Superhard and Ultra-Incompressible Materials
Interests:
Playing/listening to music, basketball, hiking
Gray Carson
University of California, Los Angeles
B.S. Biochemistry
Research Interests:
Energy Storage; MXenes; Zn-Ion Batteries; Graphene Supercapacitors
Interests:
Golf, video games, my cat, and reality TV
Mark Munteanu
University of California, Los Angeles
B.S. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Energy Storage; Na-Ion Batteries; Hard Carbon Materials
Interests:
Sports, video games, music, and good conversations
Min Kyu Lee
University of California, Los Angeles
B.S. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Sustainable Polymers; Surface Chemistry; Biomaterials
Interests:
Golf, surfing, and camping
Haemin (Joanne) Oh
University of California, San Diego
B.S. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Energy Storage
Interests:
Violin, golf, and running
Puyuan Du
University of California, Santa Barbara
B.S. Chemistry
Research Interests:
Energy Storage
Interests:
Photography, video games
Undergraduate students
Celeste Elkort
Research Interests:
Energy storage; Zn-Ion Batteries; 3D-Printed Electrodes
Interests:
The outdoors, animals, dancing
Mikolaj Sidzinski
Research Interests:
Energy Storage; Li-Ion Batteries; Silicon Anodes; Graphene; Surface Chemistry; Catalysis
Interests:
Skiing, playing guitar, and outdoor adventuring
