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Graduate Student
Shadi Salehian
Year joined the laboratory : Fall 2022, as a 1st year Ph.D. student
Major : Mechanical Engineering
Hometown : Tabriz, Iran
Why I joined : The research conducted at TEEL aligns closely with my interests. During my master’s studies, I focused on Renewable Energy Systems and aspire to delve deeper into this field. Additionally, I have a strong interest in the modeling and simulation of electrochemistry and heat transfer in electrochemical cells. I am eager to acquire further computational and experimental skills to contribute to the optimization of fuel cells and electrolysis cells. It would be a privilege to advance my understanding of electrochemical technology and enhance my capabilities under the supervision of Professor Chuang.
Research interests: Renewable energy, low temperature fuel cells and electrolysis cell (PEMFC, PEMWE), high temperature fuel cells, electrochemical characterization.
Future Goals: No renewable energy-based technology is impeccable and fuel cell technology is not an exception. My goal is to minimize the challenges of Fuel Cell commercialization, affordability, scalability, and optimization.
Robel Mehari Tesfaye (Robel)
Year joined the laboratory: Fall, 2022 as a 1st year Ph.D. student
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Why I joined: I was first introduced into the renewable energy research area when I was doing my masters. I worked on the topic of Direct Urea Fuel Cell. In that duration of time, I realized how fast our planet is heading to a point of no return and how a lot of research still remains to be done in the sector in order for the human race to move away from non-renewable energy resources and towards healing the planet. My research interests align with the mission of TEEL which is to generate impactful patents, publications, and products by performing cutting edge research in fuel cell technology. My current expertise lies in preparation of catalyst and GDL preparation for Electrochemical e\Energy Technologies.
Research interests: Renewable energy, hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFC), Electrocatalysis Material synthesis.
Future Goals: To be an a research engineer in renewable energy technology industry and make a positive contribution in the struggle against climate change and global warming.
Name: A S M Rokonuzzaman (Rokon)
Year joined the laboratory: Fall 2025, as a first-year Ph.D. student.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Kushtia, Bangladesh
Why I joined: I have always been passionate about sustainable energy technologies. During my master’s program, I worked on immersion cooling systems, which provided me with a strong foundation in thermal management and heat transfer. I see fuel cell research as an ideal platform to expand my knowledge and skills into electrochemical energy systems. TEEL offers the perfect environment to bridge my background in thermal systems with cutting-edge clean energy research. In the future, I aspire to contribute to the field through impactful research and publications.
Research interest: Hydrogen Fuel Cell, Electrochemical Systems, Renewable Energy, Sustainability.
Future goals: I want to contribute to advancing fuel cell technology through my work and be an important part of clean energy research.
Ahmed Kandil
Year joined the laboratory : Fall 2026, as a first-year Ph.D. student
Major : Mechanical Engineering
Hometown : Egypt
Why I joined: My interest in renewable energy began when I was young, as I became increasingly concerned about rising temperatures, environmental pollution, and carbon dioxide emissions. These concerns motivated me to pursue sustainable energy research. During my master’s degree, I focused on reducing energy consumption in air-conditioning systems using phase change materials (PCMs), resulting in journal and conference publications. TEEL Lab offers the ideal environment to build on my background in thermal systems while engaging in cutting-edge clean energy research, particularly in fuel cell technologies. Under Professor Abel’s supervision, I hope to go beyond academic publications and contribute to innovative solutions with meaningful real-world impact. In the future, I aim to develop efficient and sustainable energy technologies that reduce emissions and support the transition to a cleaner energy future.
Research interests: Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Electrochemical Systems, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Thermo-Fluid Systems, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Energy Storage, Green Buildings, Heat Transfer.
Future goals: I aim to advance fuel cell technologies and contribute to the development of efficient, sustainable, and low-emission energy systems.
