24 June 2026
During her stay, she will collaborate with researchers at HI ERN on electrochemical processes in sustainable energy systems, with a focus on deepening the understanding of transport processes in hydrogen technologies and advancing the development of new measurement methods. The research visit is made possible by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, which recognizes internationally outstanding scientists for their overall scientific achievements and excellence — and invites them for a stay of several months in Germany to strengthen existing collaborations and open up new research directions.
Professor Iryna Zenyuk is an international authority in electrochemical energy systems, pioneering advanced imaging and modeling techniques to study fuel cells, electrolyzers, and batteries across multiple scales. Her research has revealed critical transport and degradation mechanisms governing hydrogen and clean energy technologies. In Germany, she continues to advance sustainable energy technology research utilizing unique in-situ/operando electrochemical methods. We are very much looking forward to the intensification of our collaboration in the framework of her sabbatical at HI ERN supported by the Alexander von Humboldt foundation via the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award.
The Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award, presented by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, is one of Germany’s most prestigious international scientific awards. It is awarded to researchers from abroad who have achieved outstanding scientific accomplishments. The award winners are nominated by researchers in Germany. The program’s goal is to promote international scientific exchange and to establish long-term collaborations with German research institutions.
Iryna V. Zenyuk completed her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. She then pursued her Master’s and doctoral studies at Carnegie Mellon University, where she received her Ph.D. in Shawn Litster’s research group, focusing on mesoscale interfacial transport phenomena and electric double layers in fuel cells. This was followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2014–2015) in Adam Weber’s group, where she focused in particular on investigating water management in PEM fuel cells using X-ray CT and modeling. She launched her academic career at Tufts University (2015–2018) before joining the University of California, Irvine in 2018, where she is now a Professor, director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center, and Founding Director of a sustainability institute.
Executive Director and Head of Research Department Electrocatalysis
