Never give up in solving research problems.
Questions & Answers
Why did you decide to pursue your field of research?
Chemistry of nanomaterials is an exciting and important research field, especially design and synthesis of well-defined nanostructures with tailored porosity, surface properties and morphology for energy-related and environmental applications.
What would you tell a student at the beginning of their academic career?
In addition to taking the required lecture courses, it is important to get research experience by participating in individual research projects to learn how to monitor scientific literature, identify novel research ideas and conduct experiments.
Tell us a little about your research:
My research at Kent State is in the area of nanomaterials including ordered nanoporous inorganic and organic structures, carbon nanostructures, composite nanomaterials, nanostructured catalysts/photocatalysts, colloids and nanoparticles, focusing on their design, synthesis, characterization and environmental and energy-related applications. The current focus is on the development of environmentally friendly mechanochemical synthetic methods with a small amount of “green” solvents or without solvents for fabrication of various nanomaterials using nontoxic and/or biomass-based precursors, and biodegradable block copolymers as structure directing agents.
What are you hoping to accomplish?
High performance nanomaterials for energy, environmental and bio-related applications.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Never give up in solving research problems.
Who is someone you admire, and why?
Maria Curie-Sklodowska, because she was a pioneer in her field who never let anything get in the way of achieving her goals.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Playing with my grandkids.
What does it mean to you to be included in the top 2% in your field?
It is great to know that other researchers find my works interesting.