Principle Investigator
Dr. Zhongyang Wang
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Postdoc, University of Chicago, 2023
Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis, 2019
Master, Illinois Institute of Technology, 2014
Honors and Awards:
2024 2024-2025 ECS Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship, The Electrochemical Society and Toyota Research Institute of North America
2024 ARPA-E IGNIITE Program Early Career Innovator Awardee, Department of Energy
2024 Hewson Engineering Faculty Fellow, University of Alabama
2022 Maria Lastra Excellence in Mentoring Award for Postdoctoral Researchers, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, UChicago
2020 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad (500 globally)
2020 Industrial Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Engineering (IEEE) Division H.H. Dow Memorial Student Achievement Award, The Electrochemical Society
2020 Annual Research Impact Award, Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis
Postdoctoral Scholars
Jianping Chen, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University
Email: jchen123@ua.edu
Jianping Chen is a postdoctoral researcher originally from Hubei, China. He earned his PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing tennis and grilling.
His research focuses on polymer electrolyte synthesis and characterizations.
Graduate Students
Weihao Shao
M.S. in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego
B.S. in Environmental Science/Minor in Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles
Email: wshao2@crimson.ua.edu
Weihao is a second-year PhD student from Hainan, China. He enjoys engaging in outdoor activities such as diving and surfing.
His research focuses on liquid-liquid fuel cells.
Yikun Hu
Yikun is a first-year PhD student from Beijing, China. In addition to his academic pursuits, he is interested in hiking, traveling, and cooking.
His research focuses on water electrolysis.
Solace Anyanwu
M.S. in Sustainable Catalysis, University of Poitiers, France
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Michael Okpara University , Nigeria
Email: saanyanwu1@crimson.ua.edu
Solace is a first-year PhD student from Nigeria. Her research focuses on understanding ion transport in polyelectrolyte for electrochemical systems.
Aside from academics, she loves watching movies and traveling.
Undergraduate Researchers
Zachary Griffith
Zach is an undergraduate student from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a member of the Randall Research Scholars Program. He enjoys weightlifting, intramural sports, and fishing.
His research focuses on investigating water absorption behaviors in polymer electrolytes.
Jack Byrne
Major in Chemical Engineering
Email: jjbyrne1@crimson.ua.edu
Jack is an undergraduate student from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and is part of the Emerging Scholars Research Program. In addition to academics, he is a baseball fan and enjoy playing chess.
His research focuses on polymer electrolyte synthesis and characterizations.
Daniel Lim
Major in Chemical Engineering
Email: djlim@crimson.ua.edu
Daniel is an undergraduate student from Lake Forest, Illinois, and is part of the STEM-CREATE path to the MBA program. He enjoys playing volleyball, basketball, chess, and going to the beach.