The POWER Team
Diego Uruchurtu Patino
Diego is a 3rd-year PhD student in the department of Chemical Engineering, focusing on furthering our understanding of nanostructured carbon materials for catalytic and energy storage applications. Before Stanford, Diego studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Through POWER, Diego is hoping to promote STEM and energy-related education to ambitious students who can make a difference in these fields in the future.
ALISON SHAD
Alison is a PhD student in Chemistry focused on furthering the understanding of organic semiconducting materials for applications in electrocatalysis and energy storage. Before coming to Stanford, she earned a dual B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and Chemical & Biological Engineering from Colorado State University. She is enthusiastic about renewable energy and hopes to encourage students to learn more about how they can play a key role in shaping a more sustainable world.
KRISTEN ABELS
Kristen Abels is a 4th year Chemical Engineering PhD candidate in the Tarpeh group. Her research centers around the assessment of polymeric membranes for ion-selective separations, with the target application of resource recovery from waste streams, such as lithium recovery from battery waste and brines. Kristen received her B.Eng.Biosciences in Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at McMaster University.
ISABEL DAVIDOFF
Isabel is a 1st-year PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering interested in electrochemistry for energy storage and circular economy applications. Before grad school, she earned a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford. Through POWER, Isabel hopes to increase access to and encourage participation in STEM and energy fields, while emphasizing the importance of environmental justice.
ETHNE LAUDE
Ethne is a senior studying Computer Science and Math. At Stanford, she worked on the Pathways to Carbon Neutrality project, building a decarbonization model for California. She is interested in financing the adoption of green technology and making renewable energy more accessible.
Devraj Gopal
Devraj (Dev) is an undergraduate at Stanford University, studying Bioengineering and Computer Science. A passionate advocate for mentorship, Dev is dedicated to supporting POWER’s mission of providing advanced STEM education to all, believing that diverse perspectives drive innovation. Outside of classes, Dev interns at an AI startup, champions healthcare solutions as a Global Hackathon Champion, and develops technologies as a biodesign innovator funded by the Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign.
Avni Vats
Avni is junior majoring in Engineering Physics. She is passionate about climate equity and accessible alternative energy. Outside of academics, Avni enjoys travelling, hiking, photography & exploring Bay Area coffee shops.
POWER Alumni
Juliana Lu-Yang, Co-Director
Juliana is an undergraduate senior in chemical engineering, interested in developing energy-efficient, low greenhouse gas emission manufacturing processes. Through POWER, she hopes to encourage more pre-college students to become excited about both understanding and advancing the critical role energy plays in shaping the world we live in.
xin xu, workshop lead
Xin is a postdoc scholar in Materials Science & Engineering developing new solid electrolytes and coatings for solid-state batteries. Before Stanford, he studied fuel cells and earned his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Northwestern University. He is enthusiastic about this opportunity to build a platform where everyone can have free and easy access to energy-related knowledge!
Peter Benedek, PUBLIC RELATIONS lead
Peter is a postdoc scholar in Chemical Engineering developing carbon-neutral strategies for fertilizer synthesis. Before Stanford, he studied Li ion batteries and earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at ETH Zurich. Outside of research, Peter loves spending time outdoors and teaching people about ways to save our nature.