Principal Investigator
Dr. Stefan Bernhard
Stefan Bernhard started his chemistry career as a laboratory technician with Chocolat Tobler, which was followed by a degree in chemical engineering from the Ingenieurschule Burgdorf. Further endeavours, under Prof. Peter Belser at the Université de Fribourg, were rewarded with a diploma and a PhD in chemistry. These primarily synthetic studies were complemented by a laser spectroscopy project at Los Alamos National Laboratory with Dr Jon Schoonover and time in the Abruña group at Cornell University focused on electrochemistry. Stefan Bernhard’s first faculty appointment at Princeton University explored luminescent metal complexes for optoelectronic and solar conversion applications. He moved to Carnegie Mellon University in July 2009 where he was promoted to the rank of Professor in 2014.
Graduate Students
Mitchell Baumer, 4th year
Mitchell is a fourth year chemistry graduate student from Denver, Colorado. He received a BS in chemistry, magna cum laude from the University of Alabama, and afterwards worked in various industrial laboratory settings. Mitchell's research focuses on development of a solar-rechargeable battery and development of high-throughput methodologies. Outside of the lab, he enjoys backpacking, fishing, snowboarding, video games, and playing drums.
Savannah Talledo, 4th year
Savannah is a rising fourth year chemistry graduate student from South Carolina. She graduated magna cum laude from Wofford College with a BS in Chemistry and BA in Theatre. Her current research project involves the development of high throughput detection methods to study and optimize photocatalytic hydrogen evolution systems. When she is not in the lab she enjoys going to the gym, solving jigsaw puzzles, and dancing at EDM concerts.
Undergraduate Students
Sydney Prescott, Senior
Sydney Prescott is an undergraduate student from a suburb of Rochester, New York. She is a senior majoring in Chemistry and Environmental & Sustainability Studies. Her research involves synthesizing iridium complexes using a fluorine free, electron withdrawing ligand for use in OLEDs and other chemistries happening in the lab. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, listening to Broadway musicals, and being an RA/CA.
Kangping Liu, Junior
Kangping is an undergraduate student from New Jersey/Botswana/China. He is a rising junior majoring in Chemistry. His research involves high throughput oxygen detection via iridium catalysts impregnated PDMS films. When he is not in the lab or studying he likes to play video games, watch videos, read novels, listen to music, and (learn) to cook.
Ellie Leeming, Sophomore
Ellie is a sophomore chemistry undergrad from Oregon. She currently studies photocatalytic hydrogen production systems that use earth abundant materials. She is also part of the swim and dive team, and likes to crochet, watch movies, and try new foods.
Zoey Liu, Sophomore
Zoey is an undergraduate student from Hong Kong, who is currently pursuing a BS in chemistry with a double major in AI. Her current project involves the research of ester bond synthesis rates through different alcohols and acid chlorides. Outside of the lab, she likes to spend her time skateboarding, watching movies, and learning how to cook new dishes.
Alyssa Yang, Sophomore
Alyssa is a chemistry undergraduate student from Plainsboro, New Jersey. Her project involves studying solid state titanate catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen production. Outside of the lab, Alyssa enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, reading, pushing and meching for CIA buggy, and rock climbing.