Welcome to the Zeng Lab!
We are motivated by the immense potential of electrons to facilitate reactions in fundamentally new and practically sustainable ways. We conduct this work with the vision of tackling crucial sustainability challenges in energy, manufacturing, and waste. Our work is grounded in rational design across orders of magnitudes in length scales and lies at the interface of chemistry, materials, and engineering.
We also value maintaining a welcoming and vibrant environment where we are respectful, kind, and supportive of each other. We strive to engage with and celebrate the unique perspectives that each individual brings to the team. We seek to learn about and contribute to the broader impacts of science within society. We are intentional about building community within our lab, our school, and beyond.
Group News
Apr. 2026– Dr. Bereket T. Bekele joins the group as a postdoctoral scholar. Welcome, Bereket!
Mar. 2026 – Emma wins the NASA Rhode Island Space Grant Summer Internship Award to support her summer undergraduate research in the group. Congrats, Emma!
Mar. 2026 – A group of us visited Northeastern University to attend the New England Spring ECS meeting where Joy was an invited speaker. Thanks to the Gallaway, Barecka, and Daramola labs for meeting with us as well!
Mar. 2026 – We had our first social event of the year: Hometown potluck! With hometown (and science) themed Jeopardy as well! Thanks Sonia for organizing and Aysha for hosting!
Jan. 2026 – Over the course of the last semester, several graduate and undergraduate students joined the group. Among the PhDs were Aysha Siddika Asha, Sonia Vohra (co-advised w/ Kurt Pennell), and Shiloh Bolden. Among the undergrads were Grant Weihs, Grey Small, Jodie Yan, Emma Gates, and Huyen Nguyen. A warm and enthusiastic welcome to all!
Dec. 2025 – Our first (hopefully annual) holiday party!
Feb. 2025 – Isaac receives the Dr. Paul F. Maeder Endowed Fellowship. Congratulations!
Feb. 2025 – Isaac Swenson joins the team as a chemical engineering PhD student. Welcome, Isaac!