Aravind is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Waldeck group whose research explores how control over the electron spin during catalysis facilitates chemical reactions. Originally from Kerala, India, Aravind joined Pitt after completing his integrated B.S.–M.S. degree at IISER Bhopal, where he developed an early fascination with electrochemistry and nanomaterials. At Pitt, his work leverages chirality to spin-polarize electron currents, a phenomenon known as the chiral induced spin selectivity effect (CISS), to improve the activity and selectivity of important reactions in energy science; including, the oxygen evolution and reduction reaction, urea oxidation reaction, and nitrate reduction reaction. Collectively, his work has led to several high-impact publications in Nature Communications, ACS Catalysis, ChemCatChem, and most recently the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Throughout his time at Pitt, Aravind has been supported by an Arts & Sciences Fellowship, a Pittsburgh Quantum Institute Fellowship, and this year a Mellon Fellowship.
Aravind credits his scientific growth and achievements to the excellent mentorship he has received at the University of Pittsburgh and particularly from his advisor Prof. David Waldeck and colleagues. “Dave has always been supportive of my research ambitions and desire to apply CISS to new chemical reactions. Our regular weekly meetings have provided me with continued guidance and a venue to ask questions about science throughout my time in his research group.” Aravind says.
