Ph.D. Students

Ph.D. Students
Varad A. Modak

Varad A. Modak

Ph.D. Student

 Varad Modak is a curious mind passionate about science, creativity, and storytelling. With a background in electrochemistry and materials research, he explores innovations that bridge sustainability and technology. His current work focuses on developing efficient bismuth-based electrocatalysts for CO₂-to-formic acid conversion and electrospun nickel single-atom catalysts for CO₂-to-CO conversion. Guided by collaboration, creativity, and curiosity, Varad brings enthusiasm to every pursuit. Beyond the lab, he enjoys reading, hiking, quizzing and chess.

Muhammad Roman

Muhammad Roman

Ph.D. Student

Ph.D. in Physics, National Taiwan University–Academia Sinica joint program, Taiwan, Ongoing
MPhil. Physics, Government College University Lahore, Pakistan, 2021
B.Sc. Physics, Islamia College University Peshawar, Pakistan, 2019
Research area: Developing low-cost single-crystal, Thermoelectrics for sustainable power generation and solid-state cooling, and Metal organic frameworks and conducting polymers for hybrid-supercapacitor application.

Ching-An (Ching-An) Chang

Ching-An (Ching-An) Chang

Ph.D. Student

Expertise: Photocatalysis, 3D NAND Process Integration, Dry Etch Process; Inorganic Synthesis
Currently focusing on the synthesis of metal dichalcogenides and their applications on photocatalytic CO2 reduction.

Mebratu Assaye

Mebratu Assaye

Ph.D. Student

A PhD student in the Sustainable Chemical Science and Technology (SCST) Program at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), jointly offered with Academia Sinica, Taiwan. I have an MSc in Thermal Engineering from Bahir Dar University and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Debre Markos University, Ethiopia. My research focuses on developing advanced thermoelectric materials for efficient low-temperature waste-heat recovery and sustainable energy conversion applications.

Sumangaladevi Koodathil

Sumangaladevi Koodathil

Ph.D. Student

Sumangaladevi Koodathil is a PhD student in Materials Science whose research focuses on the nano-electrochemical properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials. She synthesizes transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) single crystals using solid-state and chemical vapor transport methods, followed by nanoscale characterization with AFM-SECM and KPFM. Her work aims to understand the relationship between local electrochemical activity and surface potential in 2D materials.