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My research interests are strongly related to the transformation of flow-based reactors from alternative synthetic platforms to standard and scalable systems. Such systems can precisely engineer functionalized nanoscale objects, which can act as building blocks for the development of efficient and renewable energy sources for environmentally sustainable societies. In addition, I envision that flow reactors can be used as scalable and inexpensive platforms for solar energy conversion.

During my Ph.D. at ETH Zurich, I focused on the development and application of novel segmented-flow microfluidic platforms with incorporated in-situ optical detection systems for efficient and fast screening of reaction conditions and a better understanding of the mechanisms during nanocrystal synthesis.

Currently at MIT I am broadening my scientific knowledge on multistep chemistries and single nanocrystal spectroscopy. In particular, I am currently investigating the potential of using miniature continuous stirred- tank reactors for the facile synthesis and upscaling of core-shell quantum dots and functionalized oil-field nanomaterials. In addition, my current research focuses on the development of detection modalities, which can be coupled to flow systems aiming for understanding the quantum dot photo-physics at the single particle level.

My future research activities will focus on (I) the development of autonomous and reconfigurable reactor systems for the design of nanomaterials for energy-related and optoelectronic applications, (II) strategies for the formation of metal oxide photocatalysts with morphology control, and (III) the design of photocatalytic flow reactors for solar energy conversion and environmental remediation. My long-term goal is to establish my research group as a pioneer for (a) the design and discovery of nanomaterials using autonomous and reconfigurable systems and (b) the development of flow chemistry strategies for solar energy conversion and environmental cleanup. Last, I would also like to expand my interdisciplinary knowledge into fields such as flow separation processes and design of polymeric nanoparticles for oil recovery applications.

Teaching Interests:

I believe that adapting a teaching philosophy to practice takes effort, but I hope to inspire in my students the passion for learning that has led me to remain in academia. In this direction, I have served two semesters as a teaching assistant for the Biomicofluidic Engineering course at ETH Zurich, while designing a laboratory exercise for graduate students. During the past six years I also have been fortunate to have supervised a number of graduate and undergraduate students on conducting experimental and analytical work. While conducting my Ph.D. and postdoctoral work I was the direct supervisor of nine graduate and five undergraduate students conducting their master and bachelor theses with two of them gaining the ETH medal for the best master thesis. In addition, I recently completed the Kaufman Teaching Certificate program provided by MIT to further develop my teaching skills. The program also included two microteaching sessions.

I am ready to implement this pedagogical knowledge to teach a range of courses from the chemical engineering curriculum both at the undergraduate and graduate level, including reaction engineering, transport phenomena, fluid mechanics and reactor design. In addition to current course offerings, my research interests drive me toward the development of a course related to microfluidic engineering with emphasis on fundamental concepts of transport phenomena, while focusing on principles and theory of flow chemistry for the synthesis of functional nanomaterials targeting energy applications. I feel passionate about this subject matter and I can teach state-of-the-art concepts.