Wilson Smith
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor, University of Colorado at Boulder
Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering
Senior Research Scientist, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
Institute Fellow, Renewable And Sustainable Energy Institute
Associate Professor, Delft University of Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Wilson.Smith at colorado.edu
Meet the Electrobuffs
Recep KaŞ
Postdoctoral Fellow, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute
Ph.D., University of Twente, 2015
Recep's research covers many aspects of electrochemistry; his current focus is on spectroelectrochemistry. He is an avid soccer fan and well-tauted cook.
Research Areas:
Recep.Kas at colorado.edu
Postdocs
Nathan Nesbitt
Postdoctoral Fellow, National Renewable Energy Lab
Ph.D., Boston College, 2018
B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2011
Nate’s research is on the use of atomic force microscope scanning electrochemical microscopy in customized reactors to see what’s happening at a CO2 reduction electrode. He runs trails, bikes roads, and films the tiny hummingbird nest in his backyard.
Research Areas:
Danielle Salvatore
Postdoctoral Fellow, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute
Ph.D., The University of British Columbia, 2020
B.S., McGill University, 2013
Danielle's research is on the reactor engineering of scaled CO2 electrolyzers. Outside of the lab, she enjoys the outdoors, from snowboarding in the Canadian Rockies to cycling around Colorado.
Research Areas:
Ana Somoza Tornos
Postdoctoral Fellow, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Institute
Ph.D., Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 2020
M.S., Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 2016
B.S., Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 2014
Ana is an expert in systems engineering: her research focuses on dynamic grid integration of CO2 electrolyzers, including load management and economic optimization. Ana is also co-advised by Dr. Bri-Mathias Hodge.
Research Areas:
Graduate Students
Hussain Almajed
M.S. Student
B.S., University of Colorado Boulder, 2019
Hussain is a 2nd-year grad buff from our own CU Boulder Chemistry department. Hussain’s research focuses on theoretical investigations of metal N-doped graphene catalysts. He grew up in Saudi Arabia and likes volleyball, hiking, and football (not the American kind!) Hussain is co-advised by Dr. Charles Musgrave.
Research Areas:
Paige Brimley
Ph.D. Candidate
B.S., University of Utah, 2019
Paige is a 2nd-year grad Buff from our neighbor state Utah. Paige’s research focuses on developing multi-scale models for CO2 and CO reduction. Paige enjoys the outdoors where she climbs, skis, and runs. Paige is co-advised by Dr. Charles Musgrave.
Research Areas:
Allison Crow
Ph.D. Student
B.S., Stanford University, 2016
Allison is a 2nd-year graduate buff coming to the group from The Rocky Mountain Institute. Allison’s research focuses on the design of materials for scale-up of CO2 electrolyzers. When she is not doing big things in the lab, Allison races bikes for Orion Racing and the CU Cycling Team.
Research Areas:
Allison.Crow at Colorado.edu
Yuval Fishler
Ph.D. Student
B.S., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 2018
Yuval is a 2nd-year grad buff joining the group from Intel Corp. Yuval’s research focuses on spectroelectrochemistry for CO2 and COR which provide mechanistic insights. Yuval grew up in Tel Aviv and enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and mushroom hunting in the CO mountains. Yuval is co-advised by Dr. Adam Holewinski.
Research Areas:
Nathan.Nesbitt at NREL.gov
Danielle.Salvatore at Colorado.edu
Ana.SomozaTornos at Colorado.edu
Hussain.Almajed at Colorado.edu
Paige.Brimley at Colorado.edu
Yuval.Fishler at Colorado.edu
Maria Kelly
Ph.D. Student
B.S., University of New Mexico Albuquerque, 2018
Maria is 1st year Ph.D. student planning to work in operando electrochemical characterization, with a focus on AFM and SECM. Maria worked as a systems engineer for two years before deciding to move up the rockies to Boulder, where she enjoys the mountain vistas with her trusty dogs, Mia and Lola.
Research Areas:
Maria.Kelly at Colorado.edu
Hunter Simonson
Ph.D. Student
B.S., Louisiana State University, 2019
Hunter is a 2nd year grad Buff joining the group from Louisiana State University. Hunter’s research focuses on understanding and optimizing transport in CO2 electrolyzers. True to his roots, Hunter loves cooking cajun food and sharing his baking with his roommates, as well as enjoying the great wilderness of Colorado.
Research Areas:
Hunter.Simonson at Colorado.edu
Group Fun
Join The Team
The Electrobuffs are always seeking talented and diverse individuals with a knack for problem solving and passion for renewable energy. We think big, because we're up against big problems like climate change, which will require big solutions for a low carbon future. Big ideas can come from any direction, our team is composed of chemists, chemical engineers, physicists, materials scientists, and more.
While we focus on the application of electrochemistry towards progressing decarbonization technology, we are interested in every aspect of a renewable economy. Talented students, scholars, and scientists should contact us directly at for information about open positions.
Group Alumni
CU Boulder & NREL
Mark Sassenburg
Visiting Ph.D. Student, 2020
Ir., Technische Universiteit Delft, 2018
B.S. Technische Universiteit Delft, 2015
Mark is a 3rd year Ph.D. student joining us for a year during his Ph.D. in TU Delft. Mark’s research focuses on designing CO2 reduction devices at larger scales. Mark grew up 10 ft below sea level in Rotterdam and has found new heights exploring Boulder. Mark is also a gifted painter.
Research Areas:
TU Delft
Dr. Tom Burdyny - Postdoc (now Assistant Professor at TU Delft)
Dr. David A. Vermaas - Postdoc 2014~2016 (now Assistant Professor at TU Delft)
Dr. Ming Ma - PhD
Dr. Marco Valenti - PhD
Dr. Bartek Trzesniewski - PhD
M.Sassenburg at TUDelft.nl