Group

Principal Investigator

Brad Easton

Professor of Chemistry

Research Excellence Chair in Electrochemical Energy Materials

Ph.D., B.Sc. (Memorial University of Newfoundland)

Pronouns: he/him

Brief Bio

Google Scholar Profile 

Graduate Students

Keenan Black-Araujo

MSc Candidate

BSc (Ontario Tech 2020)

Thesis title: Anodic electrocatalytic reactions using low bandgap metal oxide supports

Fanqi Kong

MSc Candidate

BSc (Ontario Tech 2022)

Thesis title: Next generation metal oxide fuel cell catalyst supports

Nathalie Mapue

MSc Candidate

BSc (Trent, 2022)

Thesis title: Novel ligands for advanced electrochromic devices. 

* Co supervised with Prof. Olena Zenkina.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Sara Dindar

Postdoctoral Fellow

PhD (University of Tehran, 2021), MSc (Imam Khomeini International University, 2013), BSc. (University of Tehran, 2010)

Project title: Understanding the role of impurities in cathode active materials for lithium ion batteries

Ali Nemati

Research Associate

PhD (University of Tehran)

Project Title: Antimicrobial films

co-supervised with Prof. Olena Zenkina 

Technicians

Jordan Easton

Co-op lab assistant

Grade 11 co-op placement student from Father Leo J Austin Catholic Secondary School (Whitby)

Project: Durability of anti-microbial and electrochromic films

* Co supervised with Prof. Olena Zenkina.

Iraklii Ebralidze

Instrument Specialist - Materials Characterization Facility

PhD (Weizmann Institute of Science, 2009)

Materials Characterization Facility

Undergraduate Students

Mackenzie Bell

4th year Honors thesis student

Thesis title: Covalently attached metal comples for use in electrochromic devices.

* Co supervised with Prof. Olena Zenkina.

Vittoria-Ann DiPalo

4th Year Honors Thesis student

Thesis title: Covalently attached metal comples for use in electrochromic devices.

* Co supervised with Prof. Olena Zenkina.

Sanjana Rai

3rd Year Undergraduate Researcher

Project title: The influence of impurities in NMC cathode active materials.

Hira Shoaib

4th year Honours Thesis student

Thesis title: Surface confined metal comples for electrochromic devices applications

* Co supervised with Prof. Olena Zenkina.

Completed Theses and Group Alumni

NameJoinedCompletedCurrent Position
Holly Fruehwald 2017 PhD 2022 NSERC PDF, University of Waterloo
Rana Ahmad 2019 MSc 2022 Materials Scientist, Trusscore, Kitchener, ON
Katherine Nguyen 2021 Undergrad research assistant 4th year Chemistry student, Ontario Tech
Reza Alipour Moghadam Esfahani 2017 PDF 2021 Research Scientist, Cummins Inc. (Hydrogenics), Mississauga, ON
Mason Sullivan 2019 MSc 2021 Battery Scientist, Flex-Ion, Winsor, ON
Peter Melino 2020 Honor's Thesis 2021 B.Ed. student, Ontario Tech
Veronica Cavallari 2017 MSc 2020 Chemistry Laboratory Coordinator, University of Toronto Scarborough
Adaobi Obua 2019 Honor's Thesis 2020 MSc Student, Ontario Tech
Keenan Black-Araujo 2019 Honor's Thesis 2020 MSc Student, Ontario Tech
Sydney Cobourn 2016 MSc 2020 Analytical Chemist II, Toronto Research Chemicals Inc.
Stefano Zago 2019 Visiting PhD student PhD Student, Politecnio di Torinio (Italy)
Zixian Pan 2019 Visiting student PhD student, Penn State University
Reza B. Moghaddam 2017 PDF 2019

Instrumentation Specialist, SnowHouse Solutions
Richard Acheampong 2017 MSc 2019 PhD Student, University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres
Rana Ahmad 2018 Honor's Thesis 2019 Materials Scientist, Trusscore
Sulaiman Torakhel 2018 Undergrad research assistant Chemist, Toronto area
Jade Poisson 2017 Honor's Thesis 2018 PhD Student, UBC
Paoloa Piavano 2018 Visiting student MSc Student, Politecnio di Torinio (Italy)
Mason Sullivan 2017 Undergrad research assistant MSc Student, Ontario Tech
Jacquelyn Egan 2017 Undergrad research assistant PhD Student, University of Glasgow
Jesse Allan 2016 PDF 2017 Chemist - LANXESS, Scarborough, ON
Christopher Odetola 2013 PhD 2017 Senior Analyst Technical Transfer at Pillar5 Pharma Inc., Ottawa, ON
Heather Geoffrey 2016 Honor's Thesis 2017 Radiation Technologist, Ontario Ministry of Labour
Rebecca Randle  2016 Visiting student

PhD student, University of Glasgow
Lukas Gierlichs  2016 Visiting student Chemistry MSc student, Cardiff University (UK)
Foroughazam Afsahi 2016 PDF 2016 Research Scientist, Ballard Power, Vancouver, BC
Mohammadreza Ghavidel 2012 PhD 2016 Research Scientist, Cummins Inc. (Hydrogenics), Mississauga, ON
Veronica Cavallari 2015 Honor's Thesis 2016 Chemistry Laboratory Coordinator, University of Toronto Scarborough
Holly Fruehwald 2016 Undergrad research assistant PhD student, Ontario Tech
Valerie Bartlett 2016 Undergrad research assistant Research Scientist, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON
Jesse Allan 2010 PhD 2016 Chemist - LANXESS, Scarborough, ON
O'Rian Reid 2013 MSc 2015 Research Scientist, Nano One, Vancouver, BC 
Naser Abdo 2013 MSc 2015 Chemist, Messer Canada Gas Inc, Whitby, ON
Dana Frackelton 2014 Undergrad research assistant  N/A
Dr. Ranganathan Santhanam 2013 2015 SEM Technician Research Chemist, Ontario Power Generation
Jennie Eastcott 2009 PhD 2014 MEA Research Scientist, Cummins Inc. (Hydrogenics), Mississauga, ON
Dr. Mohammad Rahman 2012 PDF 2014 Analytical PLCM, Apotex Inc, Toronto
Dr. Farhana Saleh 2011 PDF 2014 Validation Chemist, Apotex Pharmachem, Brantford, ON
Heather Geoffrey 2014 Undergrad research assistant Radiation Technologist, Ontario Ministry of Labour
Stephanie Mavilla 2011 MSc 2014 Instructor, Ontario Tech
Patrick Edge 2010 MSc 2013 Technical Representative – Eastern Canada, TA Instruments 
Laura Prest 2009 MSc 2011 CME Program Manager, The Canadian Collaborative Research Network, Toronto, ON
Dr. Malika Ammam 2010 PDF 2012 Assistant Professor & Rosalind Franklin Fellow, University of Groningen
O'Rian Reid 2011 Honor's Thesis 2013 Research Scientist, Nano One, Vancouver, BC 
Laura Duffin 2011 Honor's Thesis 2012 Lab Manager and Lead Chemist, Santo Cabo, Mexico
Kaitlyn Yarrow 2010 Honor's Thesis 2011 Teacher, Durham Region
Kathryn Navarro 2009 Honor's Thesis 2010 Senior Pathways and Credit Transfer Officer, Ontario Tech
Jesse Allan 2009 Honor's Thesis 2010 Chemist - LANXESS, Scarborough, ON
Andrew Pedersen 2008 Honor's Thesis 2010

Technical Sales at NORAM Engineering, Vancouver, BC 
Nicole De Almeida 2008 MSc. 2010  Analytical Research and Development Chemist II, Apotex Pharmachem
Dr. Ranganathan Santhanam 2008 PDF 2010 Research Chemist, Ontario Power Generation
Amanda Northcott 2007 Honor's Thesis 2009 High School Teacher, Alberta
Allen Pauric 2008 Honor's Thesis 2009 Research And Development Scientist, SGS 
Jennie Eastcott 2007 Honor's Thesis 2008 MEA Research Scientist, Cummins Inc. (Hydrogenics), Mississauga, ON
Tara Andrusiak 2007 Undergrad research assistant Family, HIV and addiction medicine physician, Vancouver

Join the Group

Individuals interested in joining the group should contact me directly.

I am currently accepting highly qualified graduate students starting Winter 2023 in the MSc and PhD Materials Science programs. I am looking for students with a strong background in chemistry. Stipends will be competitive with those offered at other Canadian Universities.

Interested students are invited to contact me directly. Please indicate if you are a domestic candidate (Canadian citizen or have Permanent Resident status is Canada) or an international candidate as this will impact funding.