Group News
Welcome Sahil!
January 20, 2026
With the start of the new semester, the group is happy to welcome Sahil, our newest graduate student group member! Sahil completed his integrated B.S.-M.S. degree, majoring in Chemical Sciences and minoring in Life Sciences, at the National Institute of Science Education and Research - Bhubaneswar in India.
Top Downloaded Article at Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers!
August 28, 2025
Minzhu's review article - Redox-active ligand promoted multielectron reactivity at earth-abundant transition metal complexes - was one of the most downloaded articles from Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers in 2024! Congrats to Minzhu for his impactful work!
2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium
May 2, 2025
Ezra, Demetra, Ben, and Heiner each presented their research at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium. Ezra shared his work on the synthesis of iridium complexes for formate oxidation, Demetra shared her work on trifluoromethylation with cobalt complexes, Ben shared his work on the synthesis of carbene pincer ligands, and Heiner shared his work on the synthesis and hydrogenation of imines. Congrats everyone!
New Article in ACS Catalysis!
January 17, 2025
Our work, spearheaded by Sriram, demonstrating the first family of cobalt complexes for the electrocatalytic formate oxidation reaction is now available at ACS Catalysis - Electrocatalytic Formate Oxidation by Cobalt-Phosphine Complexes. Congrats to Sriram and all involved!
Congrats Alex!
January 16, 2025
Congratulations to Alex for receiving the 2024-2025 Rieman Award! The Rieman Award recognizes Rutgers CCB students for excellence in undergraduate teaching.
Welcome Alyssa!
January 8, 2025
Welcome to Alyssa, our newest graduate student group member! Alyssa completed her B.S. degree majoring in Chemistry at Saint Mary's College of California, Moraga.
New Article in Dalton Transactions!
June 19, 2024
Mercer's first-author publication discussing the current state-of-the-art and future perspectives for electrocatalytic oxidation using metal-hydride complexes is now available as a Frontier article at Dalton Transactions - Electrocatalytic formate and alcohol oxidation by hydride transfer at first-row transition metal complexes. Congrats Mercer!
Welcome Brayden!
June 12, 2024
Welcome to Brayden, the newest Waldie Group Member! Brayden is joining us from The College of New Jersey this summer through the RISE Program at Rutgers.
Congrats to Dr. Katipamula!
June 12, 2024
Congratulations to Sriram for his successful PhD defense on May 28th! His thesis is entitled "Developing Molecular Electrocatalysts for Fuel Oxidation Reactions Using Earth-Abundant Metal Centers". Sriram was one of the first graduate students to join the Waldie Group. Big congratulations to Dr. Katipamula!!
Congrats to Dr. Zou!
March 29, 2024
Congratulations to Minzhu for his successful PhD defense on March 27th! His thesis is entitled "Investigations into the Multielectron Reactivity of Cobalt Complexes with Redox-Active o-Phenylenediamide Ligands". Minzhu was one of the first graduate students to join the Waldie Group. Huge congratulations to Dr. Zou!!
Welcome Chathumini and Amy!
January 8, 2024
Welcome to Chathumini and Amy, our newest group members! Chathumini completed her B.Sc. Honors degree specializing in Chemistry at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Amy completed her B.Sc. degree at St. Xavier's College and her M.Sc. degree specializing in Chemistry at IIT Kharagpur, India. Both are now pursuing their graduate studies here at Rutgers.
New Article in Chemical Communications!
November 23, 2023
Minzhu's next article demonstrating ligand-to-substrate two-electron transfer to electrophilic reagents is now available from Chemical Communications - Redox-active ligand promoted electrophile addition at cobalt. Congrats Minzhu!
New Article in Inorganic Chemistry!
June 21, 2023
Minzhu's work exploring the electrochemical and electronic properties of a series of Co complexes is now available from Inorganic Chemistry - Two-Electron Redox Tuning of Cyclopentadienyl Cobalt Complexes Enabled by the Phenylenediamide Ligand. Congrats Minzhu!
Best Wishes to Isabella, Kaitlin, and Andrew!
June 16, 2023
Congrats to our three wonderful undergrads for completing their honors thesis with flying colors! They are all heading to graduate school to start their PhD degree next fall - Isabella will be attending Johns Hopkins University, Kaitlin will be attending UCLA, and Andrew will be attending Yale University! They will all be missed, but we're very excited for their futures in chemistry!
Congratulations Dr. Teeluck!
June 15, 2023
Krishani successfully defended her PhD thesis on June 8th! Her thesis is entitled "The Design of First-Row Transition Metal Oxides as Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction". Huge congratulations to Dr. Teeluck!!
Welcome Oliver and Paul!
June 15, 2023
Welcome to the new Waldie Group Members - Oliver and Paul! Oliver is joining us from Stockton University for 10 weeks this summer through the RISE Program at Rutgers. Paul is a rising sophomore at Rutgers and is joining us for 10 weeks this summer through the LSAMP/Aresty Summer Science Program.
Waldie Group Receives NSF Grant Funding!
April 11, 2023
We are excited to announce that the Waldie Group has been awarded a $530,387 grant from the Chemical Catalysis program in the Division of Chemistry at the National Science Foundation. This award will support our investigations into electrochemical hydrogenation using transition metal-hydride complexes. Thank you to the National Science Foundation for their support of our work!
New Article in Chem Catalysis!
April 11, 2023
Our tutorial review discussing the application of bulk electrolysis techniques to study molecular electrocatalysts is now available from Chem Catalysis - Controlled-Potential Electrolysis for Evaluating Molecular Electrocatalysts. Congrats Sriram and Mercer!
Welcome Sewwandi!
February 22, 2023
Welcome to Sewwandi, our newest group member! Sewwandi completed her B.Sc. specializing in Chemistry at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and is now pursuing her graduate studies here at Rutgers.
2022 Undergraduate Research Symposium
April 29, 2022
Priya, Isabella, Kaitlin, and Andrew each presented their research work at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium. Priya and Isabella shared their work on a series of iridium complexes for electrochemical formate oxidation, Kaitlin shared her work on preparing photochromic MOF linkers, and Andrew shared his work on synthesizing new carbene pincer ligands for alcohol oxidation. Great job, everyone!
Jennifer Receives an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship!
April 14, 2022
We are excited to announce that Jennifer has been awarded a prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation! This fellowship will support Jennifer's graduate studies and her investigations into light-switchable metal-organic frameworks and molecular cages. Thank you to the NSF GRFP for their support of Jennifer's graduate career!
New Article in Catalysis Research!
February 25, 2022
Kate and Sriram's review article discussing the current state of the field for formate oxidation with organometallic complexes is now available from Catalysis Research - Recent Progress in the Development of Molecular Electrocatalysts for Formate Oxidation. Congrats Sriram!
Welcome Krishani!
January 27, 2022
Welcome to Krishani, our newest group member! Krishani is a graduate student at Rutgers and she will be finishing up her Ph.D. in Chemistry with our group!
Kate Receives a ACS PRF DNI Award!
October 28, 2021
We are excited to announce that the Waldie Group has been awarded an American Chemical Society (ACS) Petroleum Research Fund (PRF) Doctoral New Investigators (DNI) Grant! This award will support our investigations into cobalt complexes with redox-active ligands for promoting multi-electron reactions with organic substrates. Thank you to the ACS PRF for their support of our work!
Diversity in Chemistry Series
October 7, 2021
Kate is working with the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology to start a new series of mini-symposia, starting in Spring 2022. Each symposium will host 2-3 scientists from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and create a forum for our students to discuss science AND non-science topics with these diverse STEM role models. Speaker nominations are open to Rutgers students now!
Welcome Alex!
August 4, 2021
Welcome to Alex, our newest group member! Alex completed her B.S. in Chemistry and Sustainability (double major) at Stockton University and is now spending August in the Waldie Group before officially starting graduate school here at Rutgers this September.
Welcome Jennifer!
July 7, 2021
Welcome to Jennifer, our newest group member! Jennifer completed her B.S. in Chemistry at CUNY Lehman College and is now spending July & August in the Waldie Group before officially starting graduate school here at Rutgers this September.
Welcome Victoria!
June 7, 2021
Welcome to Victoria, our newest group member! Victoria is joining us (remotely) from Cal State University - Long Beach for 8 weeks this summer through the GET UP Program (Green Energy Technology Undergraduate Program), a part of RISE at Rutgers (Research Intensive Summer Experience).
Welcome Hellan and Andrew!
June 2, 2021
Welcome to Hellan and Andrew, our newest group members! Hellan has officially joined the Waldie and Goldman Groups as a joint graduate student. Andrew is a rising sophomore at Rutgers and will be joining us for 10 weeks this summer through the Aresty Summer Science Program.
Best Wishes to Prof. Cook!
May 28, 2021
Congrats to Andrew as he moves on to his new faculty position at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York City! Andrew will be greatly missed, but we're very excited for him as he starts his independent career!
New Article in Inorganic Chemistry!
April 29, 2021
Andrew's work investigating a series of Co complexes with bis(phosphino)amine ligands is now available from Inorganic Chemistry - Insights into Formate Oxidation by a Series of Cobalt Piano-Stool Complexes Supported by Bis(phosphino)amine Ligands. Congrats Andrew!
Official Welcome to Mercer!
January 18, 2021
Welcome (back) to Mercer, our newest group member! Mercer joined us in August 2020 as a summer researcher, and he has now officially joined the Waldie Group as a graduate student.
Welcome Kaitlin!
August 28, 2020
Welcome to Kaitlin, our newest group member! Kaitlin is starting her sophomore year at Rutgers. Kaitlin will be joining fellow undergrads Priya and Isabella to look at the thermodynamics of hydride transfer for electrocatalytic reactions using computational methods.
Welcome Mercer!
August 10, 2020
Welcome to Mercer, our newest group member! Mercer completed his B.A. in Chemistry at Vassar College and is now spending August in the Waldie Group before officially starting as a Chemistry graduate student here at Rutgers this September.
Welcome Ronaldo!
June 27, 2020
Welcome to Ronaldo, our newest group member! Ronaldo is joining us (remotely) from the University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras for 6 weeks this summer through the GET UP Program (Green Energy Technology Undergraduate Program), a part of RISE at Rutgers (Research Intensive Summer Experience).
Welcome Isabella!
June 19, 2020
Welcome to Isabella, our newest group member! Isabella is a rising sophomore at Rutgers and is joining us (remotely) for 10 weeks this summer through the Aresty Summer Science Program.
Rutgers Attracts World-Class Faculty
May 22, 2020
Check out this video featuring Kate that highlights how Rutgers is promoting faculty excellence and attracting new faculty members!
First Publication from the Waldie Group!
November 15, 2019
Andrew's perspective entitled Molecular Electrocatalysts for Alcohol Oxidation: Insights and Challenges for Catalyst Design is now available from ACS Applied Energy Materials! This article will be published as part of the Young Investigator Forum special issue. Congrats Andrew!
2019 Aresty Summer Science Poster Session
August 1, 2019
Priya presented her work on synthesizing cobalt complexes with different ligands to promote either carbon dioxide concentration or electrochemical formate oxidation at the Aresty Summer Science Poster Session. Another great poster, Priya!
2019 RISE Summer Research Symposium
July 31, 2019
Zachary presented his work on synthesizing new photochromic ligands for incorporation into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) at the RISE (Research Intensive Summer Experience) Summer Research Symposium. Great job, Zachary!
Welcome Mark!
July 8, 2019
Welcome to Mark, our newest group member! Mark recently completed his B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Minnesota Minneapolis. Mark will be spending the next two months in the Waldie Group before officially starting as a Chemistry graduate student here at Rutgers this September.
Congrats Priya!
June 28, 2019
Undergraduate Priya was accepted into the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program for her sophomore year! Admission to this program is very competitive. Congratulations Priya!
Welcome More New Members!
June 3, 2019
Welcome to Andrew, our new post-doctoral scholar! Andrew recently completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara under the guidance of Prof. Trevor Hayton. We also welcome back undergraduate Priya, who is continuing her research in the group for 10 weeks this summer through the Aresty Summer Science Program at Rutgers.
Welcome New Members!
May 31, 2019
Welcome to the new Waldie Group Members - Zachary and Sophie! Undergraduate Zachary is joining us from UMBC for 10 weeks this summer through the GET UP Program (Green Energy Technology Undergraduate Program), a part of RISE at Rutgers (Research Intensive Summer Experience). Sophie is a local high school student interested in gaining hands-on experience with electrochemistry.
2019 Undergraduate Research Symposium
May 3, 2019
Priya presented her work & future research plans on carbon dioxide concentration and formate oxidation at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium. Great job, Priya!
Rutgers Energy Institute (REI)
May 1, 2019
Kate is now a member of the Rutgers Energy Institute (REI), which brings together experts in science, engineering, economics, and policy to advance our progress towards a sustainable clean energy future. You can learn more about REI members & upcoming events here.
First Official Reaction!
March 20, 2019
Siddhant set up the first reaction for his multi-step ligand synthesis today - the first official reaction in the Waldie Group!
Innovation. Culture. Collaboration. Opportunity. Middlesex County
January 11, 2019
Check out this commercial highlighting the amazing opportunities and diversity in Middlesex County - home of Rutgers - New Brunswick! Kate, along with Prof. Mark Lipke and Nikki O'Mealley, was chosen to represent the Chemistry Department & Rutgers University in this video.
New CCB Building
January 10, 2019
Check out this video showing our spectacular new Chemistry and Chemical Biology Building at Rutgers - New Brunswick! You can catch Kate making copper sulfate solutions at 0:10 and 0:37 with Prof. Jing Li. Photos of the building and grand opening can be seen here.
Equipment is Arriving!
November 1, 2018
Several brand new items have arrived in the lab, including three analytical balances, two rotary evaporators, a Cary 60 UV/Vis spectrophotometer, and three potentiostats for electrochemical analysis. Time to start unpacking!
Welcome to the Waldie Group!
August 16, 2018
Brand new lab space on the 3rd floor in the new Chemistry & Chemical Biology (CCB) Building! What a great place to start!
