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: Nathaniel, Dennis, Gabe, Jen, Munho, Shirley, Brad, Shane; Front Row: Justin, Nate, Ashley, 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. |
| Shane Ardo 949-824-3796 ardo [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Principal Investigator (CV Highlights, Google Scholar, LinkedIn) Professor, UC Irvine, 2022–present (Department of Chemistry, Department of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE), Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (CBE), Chemical, Applied, and Materials Physics (ChAMP) Graduate Program, Materials and Manufacturing Technology (MMT) Graduate Engineering Program) 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 hiking, camping, running, skiing, and spending time with his family, especially at the beach. Office: Susan & Henry Samueli Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building (ISEB) 5080 Assistants: Jenny Du Financial Analyst: Joyce Penh EPN EFRC Managers: Lisa Gauf, Lori Greene | |
| 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. | ||
| 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 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: Nathaniel grew up in the small town of Woodland, WA. A short time after High School graduation, Nathaniel 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, Nathaniel 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, coatings, 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. | ||
| Deniz Keskin dkeskin [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing Technology (MMT)) B.S., Middle East Technical University, 2021 (Chemistry) M.S., Middle East Technical University, 2024 (Ünalan Group; Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) Research: Fabrication, characterization, and device physics numerical modeling and simulations of ion-conducting polymeric materials and architectures pertinent to artificial proton pumps and bipolar membranes. Biography: Deniz was born and raised in Ankara, Türkiye. During her Master's Degree studies, she focused on the synthesis and design of electrodes for capacitive deionization and gel electrolytes for supercapacitors. In her free time, Deniz enjoys swimming, snorkeling, and hiking. | ||
| Shahriar (Fahim) Atik Fahim fahimsa [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemistry, Physical Materials) B.S., University of Dhaka, 2020 (Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) M.S., University of Dhaka, 2022 (Molla Group; Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) Research: Synthesis and photochemical characterization of photocatalyst particles, cocatalysts, coatings, and redox shuttles in novel particle suspension reactors for solar water splitting. Biography: Fahim grew up in Dhaka, Bangladesh. His Master's Degree research focused on the synthesis and characterization of doped semiconductor nanoparticles and understanding the mechanisms of photocatalytic oxidation processes. After graduation, he spent two years teaching general chemistry to undergraduate students and continued his research. In his free time, Fahim enjoys traveling, watching movies, and chatting with his friends and family. | ||
| Hongjun Park hongjup [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemical Engineering) B.S., Kangwon National University, 2019 (Choi Group; Chemical Engineering) M.S., Kangwon National University, 2021 (Choi Group; Chemical Engineering) Research: Synthesis and characterization of ion-conducting polymeric materials and surfaces pertinent to oceanic carbon capture. Biography: Hongjun was born in Daegu, Korea. During his Master's Degree studies, he focused on the fabrication of two-dimensional materials and conducting polymers for wearable electrochemical sensors and supercapacitors. After earning his Master's Degree, he conducted research on flexible organic field-effect transistors and thermal catalysts for the removal of environmental pollutants. In his free time, Hongjun enjoys swimming, hiking, skiing, running, and spending time with his beloved wife, Eunbyeol. | ||
| Jieni (Jenny) Yao jenny.yao [at] uci [dot] edu  |
Graduate Student (Chemistry, Physical Materials) B.S., University of Rochester, 2025 (Krauss Group; Chemistry) Research: Synthesis and photochemical characterization of photocatalyst particles, cocatalysts, coatings, and redox shuttles in novel particle suspension reactors for solar water splitting. Biography: Jenny was born and raised in Beijing, China. She later decided to study abroad in the U.S. where her enthusiasm for chemistry and research began. During her undergraduate studies, Jenny worked on II-VI semiconductor nanomaterials, focusing on quantum dots and magic-size nanocrystals synthesis and their applications in photoredox catalysis reactions. In her free time, Jenny loves travelling, playing piano, listening to music, collecting vintage cameras, swimming, and most importantly, spending quality time with family and friends. | ||
Tiffany Husni |
Undergraduate Student (Chemistry Major) Research: Synthesis and characterization of proton donor and acceptor modified electrodes to evaluate theories for the driving-force dependence to proton-transfer reactions. Biography: Tiffany grew up in Orange County, and always had a natural curiosity for science. She is interested in studying chemistry that aims to clean our environment and oceans, and intends to continue research in the future. Tiffany enjoys dancing, beaching, and vlogging for leisure. | |
Ethan Westfall-Gomez |
Undergraduate Student (Chemical Engineering Major) Research: Fabrication and characterization of ion-conducting polymeric materials and architectures pertinent to artificial proton pumps and bipolar membranes. Biography: Ethan grew up by the beach in San Diego and is currently blending his interests for chemistry and chemical engineering with a curiosity for renewable energy and its real-world impact. Outside the lab, Ethan enjoys attempting to be a triathlete, while lifting, exploring, and surfing, and overall staying active as a way to stay balanced and focused. | |
Goldie Zhang |
Undergraduate Student (Chemistry Major) Research: Synthesis and characterization of ion-conducting polymeric materials and surfaces pertinent to oceanic carbon capture. Biography: Goldie was born in Xiamen, China but soon moved to Irvine with her mother and brother. She is interested in studying the intersections between physics and chemistry and is currently focusing on projects in electrochemistry. In her spare time, Goldie likes trying new restaurants and playing farming games. | |
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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