Lisa Szczepura

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Lisa F. Szczepura, an assistant professor of inorganic chemistry at Illinois State University (ISU), proposes to focus on the development of Mo6S8 cluster cores as building blocks in the preparation of new materials for applications as cathode materials in rechargeable lithium batteries. Today’s lithium-based batteries are used widely in consumer electronics, such as cell phones, portable video equipment, and laptop computers. However, electrical vehicles, some medical devices, and space exploration will require the development of new electrode materials leading to lighter, higher-powered lithium batteries. Szczepura will conduct her research in the Harvard laboratory of Richard Holm, an expert in the area of soluble sulfur-containing transition metal clusters.

Szczepura’s research has been funded with grants from the National Science Foundation, which also awarded her a postdoctoral fellowship, and the Research Corporation. At ISU, she received the Teaching Initiative Award and the Research Initiative Award. Szczepura received her BS and PhD in chemistry from the State University of New York at Buffalo.