Research Group
 Ardo Group at 2023 Group Retreat at Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center, Borrego Springs, CA (9/29-31/2023) (Back Row: Nate G., Dennis, Gabe, Jen, Munho, Shirley, Brad, Shane; Front Row: Justin, Nate K., Adam, Ethan, Eric) Research opportunities exist in the Ardo Group for students with various backgrounds and expertise, spanning the disciplines of chemistry, physics, materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and biology. For more information and/or to discuss research opportunities in his laboratories, please contact Shane via one of his contact options. Several postdoctoral scholar positions are available at this time. |
| Shane Ardo 949-824-3796 ardo [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Principal Investigator (CV Highlights, Google Scholar, LinkedIn) Professor, UC Irvine, 2022–present (Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering (MSE), Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (CBE), Chemical and Materials Physics (ChaMP) ) Associate Professor, UC Irvine, 2019–2022 (Chemistry, MSE, CBE, ChaMP) Assistant Professor, UC Irvine, 2013–2019 (Chemistry, MSE, CBE, ChaMP) Postdoctoral Scholar, Caltech, 2010–2013 (Lewis Group; Photoelectrochemistry) Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, 2010 (Meyer Group; Photophysical Inorganic Chemistry) M.A., Johns Hopkins University, 2008 (Meyer Group; Chemistry) M.S., University of Maryland, 2005 (Yu Group; Nutrition & Food Science) B.S., Towson University, 1999 (Computing, Applied & Pure Mathematics emphases, Computer Programming minor) Biography: Shane was born in San Francisco, CA and grew up in Ellicott City, MD. Before attending graduate school, Shane worked as a software engineer, community college instructor, high school teacher, and strength and conditioning coach. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, hiking, camping, biking, and spending time with his family. Office: Susan & Henry Samueli Integrated Science and Engineering Building (ISEB) 5080 Assistants: Jenny Du, Faye Tajadode Financial Analyst: Elizabeth Trammell EPN EFRC Managers: Lisa Gauf, Lori Greene | |
| Tea Yon (Tim) Kim teayonk [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Postdoctoral Scholar Postdoctoral Scholar, Michigan State University, 2018 – 2021 (Hamann Group; Chemistry) Ph.D., Hanyang University, 2018 (Y.S. Kang Group; Energy Engineering) B.S., Hanyang University, 2012 (Chemical and Material Engineering) Research: Synthesis and photoelectrochemical characterization of photocatalyst particles, cocatalysts, and redox shuttles in novel particle suspension reactors for solar water splitting. Biography: Tim was born and grew up in Seoul, South Korea. He trained in photoelectrochemistry and polymer science at Hanyang University, Seoul. At MSU, Tim widened his research experience by focusing on organometallic chemistry and electrochemistry. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and two lovely sons. | |
| Zejie (Justin) Chen zejiec [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemistry, Physical Materials) B.S., Sun Yat-sen University, 2018 (Chen Group; Chemistry and Materials Chemistry) Research: Synthesis and photochemical characterization of photocatalyst particles, cocatalysts, and redox shuttles in novel particle suspension reactors for solar water splitting. Biography: Zejie was born and grew up in Chaozhou, China and went to Guangzhou, the city of flowers, for his undergraduate studies. As an undergraduate student, Zejie investigated the effects of MOF-based protective layers on semiconductors and improved the photoelectrochemical efficiency of photoanodes, such as those based on iron oxide. During his free time, Zejie enjoys jogging, playing badminton, and landscape photography. | |
| Gabriel (Gabe) S. Phun gphun [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemistry, Theory & Computation, Co-Advised by Furche Group) B.S., Harvey Mudd College, 2018 (Cave Group and Daub Group; Chemistry and Physics Double Major) Research: Device physics numerical modeling and simulations and theoretical calculations of photoacid molecules and ion-conducting polymeric materials and architectures pertinent to artificial proton pumps and inexpensive electrocatalysis. Biography: Gabe grew up in Riverside, California. During his undergraduate studies, Gabe used density functional theory to computationally study a hydroamination reaction, explored NMR signal processing using Monte Carlo simulations, and investigated differences between electronic structure theory predictions and experimental data of Claisen rearrangements. In his free time, he goes to the gym, plays video games, and watches superhero movies. | |
| Ethan J. Heffernan eheffern [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Materials Science & Engineering) B.A., Occidental College, 2019 (Snowden-Ifft Group; Physics (Chemistry and Mathematics minors)) Research: Fabrication and characterization of ion-conducting polymeric materials and architectures pertinent to artificial proton pumps, bipolar membranes, and ionic ratchets for electrochemical desalination. Biography: Ethan was born and raised in San Diego, California. During his undergraduate career, Ethan spent time building detectors to identify and analyze Dark Matter candidate particles. After realizing that he wanted to combine his passion for Physics and Chemistry, Ethan turned to Materials Science. Ethan seeks to implement his education and experiences to solve problems related to clean water and renewable energy. In his free time, he likes to run, play video games, and play board games with friends. | |
| Jennifer (Jen) M. Urbine jurbine [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemistry, Physical Materials) B.S., Arizona State University, 2019 (Moore Group; Chemistry and Conservation Biology Double Major) Research: Synthesis and characterization of polymer-coated electrodes to detect local pH and pOH. Biography: Jen grew up in Phoenix, Arizona where she found her passion for the natural world. She spent her undergraduate career exploring her many scientific interests while doing research in an ecology lab quantifying carbon dioxide emissions from various degradation processes. Ever chasing new ideas she switched paths and joined a chemistry lab where she worked on synthesizing and characterizing molecular fuel production catalysts. In her free time, Jen enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time behind her easel painting. | |
| Dennis Tang tangd6 [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemistry, Organic) B.S., New York University, 2020 (Seeman Group; Chemistry) Research: Synthesis and characterization of photoacid molecules and ion-conducting polymeric materials and surfaces pertinent to artificial proton pumps, light-triggered changes in selectivity of CO2 reduction reactions, and oceanic carbon capture. Biography: Dennis is an NYC native and grew up in Brooklyn, NY. During his undergraduate studies, he performed research in Structural DNA Nanotechnology, specifically on the utility of DNA, not as a biological molecule, but for its uniquely programmable structural properties and self-assembly capabilities. After graduating, he spent a year teaching chemistry to 7th-grade students in NYC. Dennis is also a big advocate for labor organizing, and is actively involved with building worker power in order to improve the working conditions of his fellow graduate students. In his free time, Dennis enjoys reading and learning about a variety of fields in the humanities, including history, sociology, and political economy. | ||
| Shirley Chang shirlc6 [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemistry, Physical) B.S., University of California Los Angeles, 2019 (Diaconescu Group; Chemistry) Research: Characterization of photoacid and photobase molecules pertinent to artificial proton pumps. Biography: Shirley grew up in Taiwan and at the age of 12 moved to California to continue her education. During her undergraduate studies, she synthesized redox switchable ferrocenium catalysts and evaluated their reactivity toward ring-opening polymerization for biodegradable polymer application. She hopes her research will make an environmental impact in the future. In her free time, Shirley enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, dancing, and traveling the world (7 countries and counting!). | ||
| Munho Yang munhoy [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Materials Science & Engineering) B.S., Pukyong National University, 2017 (Chang Group; Industrial Chemistry) M.S., Pukyong National University, 2019 (Chang Group; Industrial Chemistry) Research: Synthesis and characterization of ion-conducting polymeric materials and surfaces pertinent to oceanic carbon capture. Biography: Munho was born and grew up in Busan, Korea. This city has beautiful beaches and an amazing bridge named gwangan bridge. During his undergraduate and masters degree studies, he synthesized organic materials for photovoltaic cells, electrocatalysts, and supercapacitors. In his free time, Munho enjoys going to the gym and watching YouTube videos. | ||
| Nathaniel (Nate) A. Gomez nathaag2 [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemistry, Physical) B.S., Utah Valley University, 2021 (Yu Group; Chemistry) Research: Synthesis and characterization of photoacids and local pH, pOH, and DIC pertinent to photochemical protonic energy storage proton pumps, light-triggered changes in selectivity of CO2 reduction reactions, and ion sensing. Biography: Nate grew up in the small town of Woodland, WA. A short time after High School graduation, Nate decided he'd had his fill of the rainy climate of the Pacific Northwest and moved to the more extreme weather conditions of central Utah where he later discovered his love for chemistry and backpacking! During his undergraduate career, he performed research on disease biomarker detection using Cd-free InP/ZnS core/shell quantum dots. He focused on characterizing photochemical properties of the interaction in an aqueous medium, exploring various parameters such as quantum dot radius, buffer pH, ionic strength, and their influence on the biomarker detection capabilities. In his free time, Nate enjoys the company of his lovely wife, Nikki, and his two pitbulls, Theia and Barkley. | ||
| Nathaniel (Nate) Keyes keyesn [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemistry, Inorganic) B.S., Hamilton College, 2022 (Kramer Group; Chemistry) Research: Synthesis and characterization of proton donor and acceptor modified electrodes to evaluate theories for the driving-force dependence to proton-transfer reactions. Biography: Nate was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and grew up in Syracuse, NY. During his undergraduate research, he studied molecular CO2 reduction catalysts bound to novel polymers to understand the effects of primary, secondary, and outer-sphere coordination on catalyst activity. In his free time, Nate enjoys boxing, baking, and the beach. | ||
| Bradley (Brad) W. Layne layneb [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemistry, Physical Materials) B.S., Salisbury University, 2022 (Woodis Group; Chemistry) Research: Synthesis and photochemical characterization of photocatalyst particles, cocatalysts, and redox shuttles in novel particle suspension reactors for solar water splitting. Biography: Brad was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. During his undergraduate studies, Brad created zinc sulfide-capped copper indium sulfide (ZCIS) quantum dots in aqueous solution using microwave-assisted green synthesis, and characterized their hydrodynamic size and composition using DOSY NMR and F-AAS. During his free time, Brad enjoys cooking, gardening, PC gaming, scuba diving, and is learning how to freedive and spearfish. | ||
| Honghao (Eric) Liu honghal4 [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemistry, Inorganic Materials) B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2022 (Feng Group; Chemistry and Mathematics Double Major (Physics minor)) Research: Device physics numerical modeling and simulations and theoretical calculations of photocatalyst particles pertinent to particle suspension reactors for solar water splitting. Biography: Honghao grew up in Beijing, China. During his undergraduate he not only experienced the cold weather but also studied and conducted research about aqueous-organic redox flow batteries and developed interests in electrochemistry and materials chemistry. Honghao also loves adventure, so much so that he is a certified private pilot and open water scuba diver. During his free time, he also likes to ski, play basketball, and travel. | ||
| Adam C. Sabatose asabatos [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemistry, Physical / ChAMP) B.S., Penn State University, 2021 (Elacqua Group; Chemistry)) Research: Fabrication and characterization of ion-conducting polymeric materials and architectures pertinent to artificial proton pumps and bipolar membranes. Biography: Adam grew up in the forests of rural Pennsylvania, staying in PA for an undergraduate education. While there, he worked with diamond anvil cells to get carbon to pressures found in the Earth's upper mantle with the intent to form nanothreads. Adam is an avid board game player and is always looking for a chance to play or to add a new game to his ever-growing stack. When not in the lab or playing a game, Adam is out and about hiking or backpacking, ever in search of new adventures! | ||
Camila Muñetón |
Undergraduate Student (Biochemistry Major at the University of Massachusetts Boston) Research: Synthesis and characterization of water-based materials and architectures pertinent to artificial proton pumps. Biography: Camila was born and raised in Colombia. At the age of eight she moved to the United States. She currently lives in Boston with her family and bunny, Lilo. In her free time, Camila enjoys watching movies, walking her bunny, riding her bike, and spending time with her family. Her goal is to own a farm and fill it with as many animals as she can. | |
Kaylyn Stewart |
Undergraduate Student (Chemistry Major at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County) Research: Synthesis and characterization of polymer-coated electrodes to detect local pH and pOH. Biography: Kaylyn is a proud Prince George's County, Maryland-native. She grew up immersed in the diversity and culture of the D.C., Maryland, Virginia (DMV) area. Not too far from home, she continues to grow as a chemist and future researcher, specifically with environmental applications. In her free time, Kaylyn enjoys traveling, live music, and rollerblading. | |
Holly Shafer |
Undergraduate Student (Materials Science & Engineering Major at Mount San Antonio College) Research: Synthesis and characterization of water-based materials and architectures pertinent to artificial proton pumps. Biography: Holly grew up in the Inland Empire before being swept away to rural Arkansas, where she learned to appreciate the sweet simplicity of the Ozarks. Since returning to the west coast, she has resumed her education and plans to eventually transfer to UC Irvine and complete her Bachelor's Degree in Materials Science and Engineering. Her interests lie in solar and other forms of renewable energy. Beyond academics, Holly is also a digital artist, rock climber, and computer games enthusiast. | |
Ardo Group Alumni
Visiting Scholars
Postdoctoral Scholars
Ph.D. Degree Graduate Students
M.S. Degree Graduate Students
Postbaccalaureate Scholars
Undergraduate Students
High School Students
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