Principal Investigator
Ivan A. Moreno-Hernandez
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
ivan.moreno-hernandez (at) duke.edu
Ph.D. in Chemistry, California Institute of Technology
B.S. in Chemistry and Physics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Prof. Ivan A. Moreno-Hernandez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Duke University. His current research interests focus on the application of electrochemistry to renewable energy, with an emphasis on understanding the structural dynamics of electrochemical materials with liquid phase transmission electron microscopy. Ivan received his B.S. degree in Chemistry and Physics with University Honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2014, and his PhD degree as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology in 2019. His research at Caltech with Prof. Nathan S. Lewis focused on the study of earth-abundant materials for anodic reactions in acidic electrolytes. Ivan was a postdoctoral scholar from 2019 to 2022 in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, working with Prof. A. Paul Alivisatos on the study of nanomaterials with liquid phase transmission electron microscopy. Ivan’s independent scholarship has been recognized by several awards, including being named a 35 Under 35 Materials Scientist by Matter, a Scialog Fellow for two distinct topics, an ACS Petroleum Research Fund Doctoral New Investigator award, and an NSF CAREER award.
Postdoctoral Scholars
Ga-Hyeun Lee
gahyeun.lee (at) duke.edu
M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
B.S. in Chemical Engineering/Materials Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
Ga-Hyeun Lee received her combined M.S. & Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and Engineering from UNIST in 2024, under the guidance of Prof. Han Gi Chae. Her doctoral research focused on microstructural tailoring of metal-embedded carbon fibers for scalable and robust catalyst design, leveraging her expertise in polymer-nanomaterial interfaces and carbon microstructure control. During her time at UNIST, she explored the full spectrum from nanocomposite synthesis to catalyst design, contributing to the development of sustainable systems for electrochemical energy conversion and carbon capture. She received her B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering with a double major in Materials Science and Engineering from UNIST in 2019. She looks forward to contributing to the group’s unique approach in understanding material dynamics from atomic to device scales through advanced in situ characterization techniques and systematic feedback methods. Outside the lab, she enjoys an active lifestyle including martial arts and training at the gym, as well as creative activities such as cooking and leather/fiber crafting.
Graduate Students
S. Avery Vigil
avery.vigil (at) duke.edu
B.S. in Chemistry and B.A. in Linguistics, University of Oklahoma
S. Avery Vigil received their B.S. in Chemistry and their B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Oklahoma in 2020. During this time, Avery studied photoluminescent pseudohalide-based semiconductor materials. Their current research interests focus on utilizing liquid phase electron microscopy to elucidate the nanoscale dynamics of catalyst dissolution to inform the design of next-generation electrocatalysts. Outside of the lab, Avery enjoys analyzing the intersection of language and thought, cycling, and reading about the history of science and science fiction.
Matteo Fratarcangeli
matteo.fratarcangeli (at) duke.edu
B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry, Western Carolina University
Matteo Fratarcangeli received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemistry from Western Carolina University in 2022 and 2023, respectively. During his time at WCU, Matteo studies the antenna effect of europium complexes and europium-based nanoparticles using both computational and experimental techniques. His current research focuses on systematically introducing defects in crystalline electrocatalysts to understand their effects on catalytic performance and stability. When not conducting research, Matteo enjoyed hiking, reading, and cooking.
Ziqing Lin
ziqing.lin (at) duke.edu
B.S. in Chemistry, University of California, San Diego
Ziqing Lin received her B.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of California, San Diego in 2023. Her undergraduate research at UCSD primarily focused on using non-linear optics to probe the interface of electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction. Her current research interests focused on synthesizing metal-doped electrocatalysts and understanding the effect of dopants on electrocatalyst stability and activity. Besides research, Ziqing enjoys dancing and hiking.
Conner Soderstedt
conner.soderstedt (at) duke.edu
B.S. in Chemistry, Muhlenberg College
Conner Soderstedt received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Muhlenberg College in 2023. While at Muhlenberg, Conner developed green synthetic methods for silver nanoparticles and investigated their photocatalytic properties. His current research interests focus on utilizing liquid phase electron microscopy to study earth-abundant electrocatalysts, so that their nanoscale dynamics can be better understood to aid the rational synthesis of improved materials. Beyond the lab, Conner enjoys watching sports, running, and cooking new meals.
Undergraduate Students
Heber Ford
heber.ford (at) duke.edu
Heber Ford is studying for a B.S. in Chemistry and a B.A. in political science at Duke University and will graduate in 2027. His scientific interests began with chemistry applications in electrochemical cells and energy storage technologies such as Redox Flow Batteries. He is now looking forward to exploring the field of electrochemistry more closely alongside the Moreno-Hernandez group. Beyond chemistry, Heber regularly enjoys the realm of international relations, hiking, and LARPing.
Owen Dong
owen.dong (at) duke.edu
Owen Dong is pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry with a Certificate in Materials Science at Duke University and will graduate in 2028. In the Moreno-Hernandez group, Owen looks forward to exploring the applications of electrochemistry in energy technology. Outside the lab, Owen enjoys watching sports, playing card games, and volunteering in the community.
