Dr. Paola A. Baldaguez Medina, Assistant Professor, has been selected as a National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR Research Fellow, receiving a $277,886 award to advance research on sustainable technologies for water treatment and critical material recovery.
Her project, titled “Biomass-Derived Carbon Electrodes for Capacitive Deionization and Critical Material Recovery: Mechanistic Characterization and Implementation,” focuses on the development and characterization of biomass-derived carbon materials for electrochemical desalination and critical material recovery. The research aims to advance the fundamental understanding of electrochemical separation mechanisms while exploring sustainable approaches to water purification and resource recovery.
As part of this fellowship, Dr. Baldaguez Medina will conduct research at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois during the summers of 2027 and 2028, in collaboration with Dr. Lauren Valentino. The project will also provide a graduate student from UPRM with the opportunity to participate in research activities at a national laboratory, gaining hands-on experience with advanced characterization techniques and interdisciplinary research.
This prestigious recognition highlights the growing contributions of the Department of Chemical Engineering to innovative research in electrochemical technologies, sustainable water treatment, and critical material recovery. It also strengthens collaborations with leading national research institutions while expanding research and professional development opportunities for students.
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