Purdue Chemist Justin Andrews honored with Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from Oak Ridge Associated Universities
2024-06-04
Recognition reflects Assistant Professor Justin Andrews' dedication to advancing inorganic chemistry and sustainable solutions
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.— Purdue University's Department of Chemistry announces Assistant Professor Justin Andrews has been selected for the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). ORAU provides innovative scientific and technical solutions for the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal agencies to advance national priorities in science, health, and education.
The Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards Program is dedicated to nurturing the research capabilities and professional development of promising young faculty members across ORAU member institutions. These competitive research grants provide crucial seed funding to junior faculty, often catalyzing further support from additional funding sources. This one-year grant spans from June 1 to May 31.
Andrews' contributions to the fields of inorganic and materials chemistry have earned him this recognition. His research aligns with the objectives of the Powe Awards. As a research advisor, Andrews is focused on training the next generation of inorganic chemists who can think critically about the electronic structure of materials with extended structures and use this knowledge to design new materials that solve real-world challenges.
"We are thrilled to see Professor Andrews' dedication and research acknowledged with the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award," said Lucy Flesch, Fredrick L. Hovde Dean in Purdue’s College of Science. "This award not only highlights his potential as a rising star in the field of inorganic chemistry but also reflects Purdue's commitment to fostering cutting-edge research among our faculty members."
Eligibility for the Powe Awards is limited to full-time assistant professors within two years of their tenure track appointment at ORAU member institutions. Professor Andrews' nomination underscores his promise as a junior faculty member at Purdue University. His research explores applications of inorganic chemistry with a focus on designing materials that address challenges related to the energy transition and sustainability.
“Right now in our lab we are working on the design of inorganic materials that address challenges in “beyond Li-ion” energy storage, sustainable electrocatalysis, energy-efficient computing, and quantum sensing,” said Andrews.
In the Andrews Research Lab, team members use chemical principles to design and then synthesize materials with new and emergent properties and functionality. Their work encompasses the synthesis of solid-state materials and molecular architectures with tunable pores and cavities. They employ a suite of analytical and photophysical techniques to better understand the properties of these materials, aiming to make significant contributions to fundamental scientific knowledge and address societal challenges.
For more information about the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards Program, please visit ORAU's website.
About the College of Science
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Writer: Emily Kinsell, emily@purdue.edu
Source: Justin Andrews, jlandrews@purdue.edu