David Sandoval Email and Phone Number

I graduated in June 2024 from the University of Chicago with dual degrees in Molecular Engineering and Chemistry, specializing in soft materials for energy applications to facilitate the transition from fossil fuels. I am thrilled to continue this pursuit as a Chemical Engineering PhD student at Princeton University!My journey began at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), where I collaborated with Andrew Burnham’s team to enhance the reach of energy and cost-efficient electric vehicles through grid modeling. Later, I joined Prof. Ying Shirley Meng’s Laboratory for Energy Storage and Conversion, focusing on developing higher energy density, cobalt-free cathodes for more sustainable Li-ion battery packs. This brought me back to ANL, where I worked with Dr. Tongchao Liu on synthesizing, characterizing, and optimizing single-crystal cathodes, a promising class of high-energy-density battery materials.Currently, I am at ANL’s Advanced Photon Source, working on advanced instrument design and cryopreservation methods to mitigate radiation damage in soft materials during high-energy X-ray analysis. In time, I aim to apply these skills for advanced battery material characterization.As the eldest son of Mexican immigrants, I was the first in my family to navigate higher education and confront challenges like imposter syndrome and racial disparities. Rather than letting these challenges hold me back, they motivated me to mentor others as a Student STEM Ambassador and GEM Fellow, allowing me to experience the profound joy of bringing diverse talent into STEM fields by inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers to reach their full potential, regardless of their background.