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Education:
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B.S., Aerospace Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2015
Research interests:
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Fabricating efficient low cost processed thin film photovoltaics
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Applications of solar technology for in-space propulsion systems
Jason Kephart, First Solar
Education:
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B.S., Mechanical Engineering and Business Economics & Management, California Institute of Technology, 2008
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M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2011
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Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2015
Research Interests:
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Measurement and optimization of the front contact in CdTe thin film solar cells
Pavel (Paul) Kobyakov, Broadcom, Inc.
Education:
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B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Syracuse University, 2006
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M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2009
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Ph.D., Mechnical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2014
Research Interests:
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Processing and characterization of semiconductor devices
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Thin-film photovoltaics
Amit H. Munshi, Colorado State University (Research Scientist)
Education:
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B.S., Automobile Engineering, S. P. University (India), 2009
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M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2013
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Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2016
Research Interests:
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Microscopic Characterization of Materials
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Studying relationship between thin film structure and device performance
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 2012
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Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2016
Research interests:
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Improvements in thin film photovoltaics with an aim towards commercialization.
Tushar Shimpi, Colorado State University (Postdoctoral Researcher)
Education:
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M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2005
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PhD., Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2018
Research Interests:
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Application of graphene electrodes in solar cells
Drew Swanson, Arizona State University (Postdoctoral Fellow)
Education:
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M.S., Colorado State University, 2012
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Ph.D., Colorado State University, 2016
Research Interests:
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CdTe photovoltaic cell research, specifically the development of an electron reflector to improve cell efficiency.
Cherrelle Thomas, Sandia National Laboratories
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, Howard University, 2013
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Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin, 2018
Research interests:
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Understanding CuInSe2 and CuInGaSe2 nanocrystals for improvements in thin film photovoltaic devices.
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, High Distinction, University of Minnesota, 2006
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Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2013
Research interests:
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Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystals, nanowires, and nanorods
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Alternative absorber materials for solar cells
Education:
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Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, the University of Texas at Austin, 2011
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, the University of Texas at Austin, 2005
Research interests:
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Synthesis and characterization of optically active films through solution processable techniques
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Fabrication and analysis of optical devices that are produced through such low cost methods
Taylor Harvey, Texas A&M University-Central Texas
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, 2006
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Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2014
Research interests:
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Development and commercialization of nanocrystal solar devices.
Jackson Stolle, Southwest Research Institute
Education:
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B.S., Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, 2010
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M.S., Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2013
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Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2015
Research interests:
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A focus on using semiconductor nanocrystal "solar inks" and low-temperature processing to fabricate inexpensive, highly-efficient solar cells.
Russell Geisthardt, Keysight Technologies
Education:
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B.A., Lawrence University, 2008
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M.S., Colorado State University, 2011
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Ph.D., Physics, Colorado State University, 2014
Research Interests:
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Thin-film photovoltaics: device and uniformity characterization, efficiency and loss analysis

Tim Siegler, The University of Texas at Austin (Research Engineering/Scientist Associate)
Education:
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B.S., Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 2014
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Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2019
Research Interests:
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CIGS Solar Cells
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Optical Properties of Absorbing Semiconductors

Jen Drayton, Colorado State University (Research Associate)
Education:
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Ph.D., Physics, University of Toledo, 2005
Research interests:
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Developing and characterizing back contacts for CdTe devices

Students and Research Associates
Research Team
Alumni

Ty Updegrave, Plant Process Equipment, Inc.
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2017
Research interests:
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Photovoltaic design and improvement
Andrew Heilman, Panasonic Energy of North America
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2018
Research interests:
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Supercritical fluid-liquid-solid synthesis method of germanium nanowires

Carey Reich, Colorado State University (Graduate Researcher)
Education:
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B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2017
Research Interests:
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Development of a CdTe based wide bandgap topcell for application in tandem photovoltaics
Robert Barron, Western New England University
Education:
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B.S., Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2006
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M.S., Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2013
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Ph.D., Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2015
Research interests:
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Technological Change: Mechanisms and modeling of technological change, effect of technological change on optimal climate policy.

Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2017
Research interests:
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Development and commercialization of inexpensive, nanocrystal solar devices


Education:
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M.A., Economics, UC Davis, 2006
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Ph.D., Transportation Technology & Policy, UC Davis, 2013
Research interests:
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Geopolitics of energy, risk and rate of return analysis


Michael Abney, The University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D. Candidate)
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 2011
Research interests:
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Properties and Applications of Perovskite Nanomaterials
Yangning Zhang, The University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D. Candidate)
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, 2016
Research interests:
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Synthesis, self-assembly and applications of perovskite nanocrystals

Aida Torabi, Texas A&M University Central Texas (Postdoctoral Research Associate)
Education:
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Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Houston, 2016
Research interests:
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Perovskite solar cells, enhancing efficiency, reducing cost and reproducibility.

Bobi Simonsen, ExxonMobil Chemical Company
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2018
Research Interests:
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Improving inexpensive, nanocrystal photovoltaics for commercialization


Vikas Reddy Voggu, Intel Corporation
Education:
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B.Tech, Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, 2013
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Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2017
Research Interests:
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Development of Highly Inexpensive Nanocrystal Solar cells
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Self assembly of nanocrystals
Simmi Nandu, Capital One
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, UT Austin, 2018
Research interests:
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Synthesis of CISe nanocrystal inks for photovoltaic devices

Omar Aly, The University of Texas at Austin (Undergraduate Researcher)
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2020 (anticipated)
Research interests:
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Randalynn Greene, The University of Texas at Austin (Undergraduate Researcher)
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2019 (anticipated)
Research interests:
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Christina Moffett, First Solar
Education:
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B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2018
Research Interests:
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Development and material characterization of the back contact in CdTe thin film solar cells.

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Wen Liu, The University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D. Candidate)
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2017
Research interests:
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Development of Flexible Nanocrystal Solar Cells
Davis Hemenway, Harris Corporation
Education:
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B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2011
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M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2013
Research interests:
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Using CFD to analyze and optimize the manufacturing of CdTe solar cells
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Understanding the growth mechanisms of thin films

John Raguse, Broadcom, Inc.
Education:
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B.S. Physics, 2009 from Michigan State University
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M.S. Physics, 2011 from Colorado State University
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Ph.D. Physics, 2015 from Colorado State University
Research Interests:
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Characterization of thin-film solar cells
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Electroluminescence imaging of solar cells and modules

Claudia Beck, Texas A&M University Central Texas (Postdoctoral Research Associate)
Education:
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Research interests:
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Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 2014
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Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2019
Research interests:
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Developing high efficiency photovoltaic devices using CIS nanocrystal inks
Mokshin Suri, Cornell University (Ph.D. Candidate)
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2019
Research Interests:
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Fabrication and analysis of perovskite solar cells
Gabriel Cossio, The University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D. Candidate)
Education:
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B.S., Physics, University of Texas at Austin, 2014
Research interests:
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Light management for optoelectronic devices
Phillip Boltan, The University of Texas at Austin (Undergraduate Researcher)
Education:
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B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2022 (anticipated)
Research interests:
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Pascal Jundt, Colorado State University (Ph.D. Candidate)
Education:
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B.A., Physics, Clark University, 2013
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M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie-Mellon University, 2015
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M.S., Physics, Colorado State University, 2017
Research interests:
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Spectroscopy of thin-film photovoltaic devices
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Enhancements of thin CdTe solar cell device structure
