DrEvan Walter Clark Spotte-Smith

About me: My research, which combines mathematics, software engineering, data science, and chemical simulations, seeks to develop an understanding of complex reactive processes and advance sustainable chemical solutions to address climate change and environmental degradation. Current applications of interest include: cross-talk in metal-ion batteries; catalytic plastic waste management; biomass pyrolysis; and the mathematics of hypergraphs, particularly as they relate to chemical reaction networks. I am deeply invested in chemical and scientific ethics (another recent research interest), pedagogy that empowers the next generation of scientists, and promoting equity and justice in academic research.

 

I founded the Community of Researchers Assessing Chemical Transformations and Exploring Reactivity (CoReACTER), a principled research group that operates in a non-hierarchical, democratic, and anti-oppressive fashion. We aim to subvert practices that are harmful and/or destructive to the well-being of ourselves, other humans, non-human life, and the planet. The CoReACTER welcomes collaborators, including students and scientists with non-traditional backgrounds. Reach out at any point if you want to work with us!

 

Outside of my academic work, I enjoy reading, writing, and hiking. I love art and music, fine tea, and good food.

Background: I received my B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) from Columbia University. While I was there, I performed research with Prof. Irving Herman on nanoparticle self-assembly. I also worked with Dr. Anubhav Jain and Prof. Ravi Prasher of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), applying high-throughput quantum chemistry simulations to design thermochemically enhanced thermal fluids. After graduating from Columbia, I received my M.S. and PhD, also in MSE, from the University of California — Berkeley, where I was advised by Prof. Kristin Persson. My doctoral research involved developing computational methods and datasets for the study of electrochemical reaction networks, with the aim of better understanding electrolyte decomposition and passivation in metal-ion (especially Li-ion and Mg-ion) batteries. Prior to joining UCD, I had a brief postdoctoral fellowship working with Prof. Gabe Gomes at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), and I was a Carnegie Bosch Institute Fellow at CMU, working with Prof. Rachel Kurchin on simulations of metal-mediated electrochemical ammonia synthesis.