Nikolla named to I&EC Research 2017 Class of Influential Researchers

nikollaEranda Nikolla, associate professor of chemical engineering and materials science at Wayne State University, was selected to the inaugural class of Influential Researchers by the editors of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry (I&EC) Research, a weekly journal published by the American Chemical Society.

Nikolla is among 37 scientists and engineers from around the world identified by the journal as influential, early career (less than 10 years) researchers on the basis of the quality and impact of their work.

"The chemical engineering department is pleased to see that Dr. Nikolla is being recognized as a leading researcher in her field and for her contributions to the profession," said Guangzhao Mao, professor and chair of chemical engineering and materials science.

I&EC Research published a virtual special issue showcasing papers that feature the 37 honorees. In Nikolla's contribution, "First-Principles Study of High Temperature CO2 Electrolysis on Transition Metal Electrocatalysts," she and her co-authors utilized a combination of molecular modeling and experimental studies to shed light on ways to optimize the process of electrochemical CO2 reduction. Electrochemical reduction of CO2 provides an avenue for storing electrical energy from renewable resources such as the sun and wind, recycles CO2, and leads to the production of high-energy molecules such as hydrocarbons.

This distinction from I&EC Research is the latest on a growing list of Nikolla's professional accolades. She has also received the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the Department of Energy CAREER Award, the 2016 Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award and the Young Scientist Award from the International Congress on Catalysis.

← Back to listing