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Group Members

The Xiong Research Group includes staff, graduate and undergraduate students, from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Principal Investigator

  • Portrait of Claire Xiong

    Hui (Claire) Xiong, Ph.D.

    Professor

    Honors and Awards

    2023      ECS Pacific Northwest Section Electrochemistry Research Award , ECS Pacific Northwest Section

    2023       Fellow of the American Ceramic Society

    2023       Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry

    2020       Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) Fellow

    2020       Outstanding Community Partner Award,  Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council

    2017 – 2019   Scialog Fellow, Research Corporation for Science Advancement

    2018       Scialog: Advanced Energy Storage Team Award, RCSA/Sloan Foundation

    2017       Journal of Materials Chemistry A Emerging Investigators, JMCA

    2015       CAREER Award, National Science Foundation

    2013       Young Faculty Travel Award, Battery Division, the Electrochemical Society

    2005 – 2007    Andrew Mellon Predoctoral Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh

    2005       Graduate Student Travel Award, Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry (SEAC)

    CV_Xiong_2024_4_BV

    Honors and Awards

    2023      ECS Pacific Northwest Section Electrochemistry Research Award , ECS Pacific Northwest Section

    2023       Fellow of the American Ceramic Society

    2023       Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry

    2020       Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) Fellow

    2020       Outstanding Community Partner Award,  Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council

    2017 – 2019   Scialog Fellow, Research Corporation for Science Advancement

    2018       Scialog: Advanced Energy Storage Team Award, RCSA/Sloan Foundation

    2017       Journal of Materials Chemistry A Emerging Investigators, JMCA

    2015       CAREER Award, National Science Foundation

    2013       Young Faculty Travel Award, Battery Division, the Electrochemical Society

    2005 – 2007    Andrew Mellon Predoctoral Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh

    2005       Graduate Student Travel Award, Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry (SEAC)

    CV_Xiong_2024_4_BV

Postdoctoral Fellows

  • Dr. Yifan Dong

    Postdoctoral Fellow

    Yifan received her PhD degree in Wuhan University of Technology, also she was a visiting PhD student in the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Yifan’s research interests are in materials design and synthesis, in situ analysis and  characterization. Now she is working on cathode materials for the sodium ion battery. Outside of the lab, Yifan likes to spend her time hiking, playing tennis or squash ball with her friends.

    Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering

    Yifan received her PhD degree in Wuhan University of Technology, also she was a visiting PhD student in the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Yifan’s research interests are in materials design and synthesis, in situ analysis and  characterization. Now she is working on cathode materials for the sodium ion battery. Outside of the lab, Yifan likes to spend her time hiking, playing tennis or squash ball with her friends.

  • Dr. Eric Gabriel

    Postdoctoral Fellow

    Eric received his B.S in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Arizona in 2016. He then came to Boise to work at Micron Technology for several years in photomask Wet Process Engineering before joining the EEML in 2018. Eric graduated with a Ph.D. degree in MSE in 2023. Eric’s research focuses on understanding how intergrown phases and cation ordering affect the stability and performance of sodium ion battery cathode materials. Outside of the lab, Eric spends his time with his wife and pets – cooking, watching movies, hiking, and playing video games.

    Eric received his B.S in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Arizona in 2016. He then came to Boise to work at Micron Technology for several years in photomask Wet Process Engineering before joining the EEML in 2018. Eric graduated with a Ph.D. degree in MSE in 2023. Eric’s research focuses on understanding how intergrown phases and cation ordering affect the stability and performance of sodium ion battery cathode materials. Outside of the lab, Eric spends his time with his wife and pets – cooking, watching movies, hiking, and playing video games.

Graduate Students

  • Tristan Olsen

    Tristan Olsen

    Ph.D. student

    Tristan completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at Boise State University in 2018. His PhD research is focused on synthesizing and constructing nano-structured titanium oxide electrode materials for lithium ion batteries and studying the effects ion irradiation has on the crystal structure and electrochemical performance of said materials. Outside of work or studies, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading science fiction, watching TV, and playing video games.

    Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering

    Tristan completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at Boise State University in 2018. His PhD research is focused on synthesizing and constructing nano-structured titanium oxide electrode materials for lithium ion batteries and studying the effects ion irradiation has on the crystal structure and electrochemical performance of said materials. Outside of work or studies, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading science fiction, watching TV, and playing video games.

  • Joshua Russel

    Joshua Russell

    PhD student

    Josh graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering in 2019. His background in materials characterization and nanomaterials comes from both academic and industrial settings. He is interested in using his skills to advance alternative energy solutions. When not doing research, Josh enjoys hiking, reading, and running, as well as playing, writing, teaching, and listening to music.

    Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering

    Josh graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering in 2019. His background in materials characterization and nanomaterials comes from both academic and industrial settings. He is interested in using his skills to advance alternative energy solutions. When not doing research, Josh enjoys hiking, reading, and running, as well as playing, writing, teaching, and listening to music.

  • Kincaid Graff

    Ph.D. Student

    Kincaid just graduated as a Bachelor from Materials Science and Engineering with an Applied Mathematic emphasis in Boise State. He started graduate studies at EEML this summer. His research focuses on the effects of dopant for sodium layered oxide materials. When not studying or at the lab, Kincaid likes to spend his time reading, painting, and walking his Schnoodle.

    Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering

    Kincaid just graduated as a Bachelor from Materials Science and Engineering with an Applied Mathematic emphasis in Boise State. He started graduate studies at EEML this summer. His research focuses on the effects of dopant for sodium layered oxide materials. When not studying or at the lab, Kincaid likes to spend his time reading, painting, and walking his Schnoodle.

  • Cyrus Koroni

    Cyrus Koroni

    Ph.D. student

    Cyrus graduated from California State University, Long Beach with his BS and MS in Chemistry. He then worked at AgroFresh as an Analytical and Materials Scientist for 2 years, then at Adesis as an Analytical Chemist for a year prior to joining the EEML. His research focuses on studying the effects of ion irradiation on niobium oxide nanostructures for lithium ion batteries. When he isn’t working, he enjoys traveling to different places and spending time with his family, friends, and cats.

    Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering

    Cyrus graduated from California State University, Long Beach with his BS and MS in Chemistry. He then worked at AgroFresh as an Analytical and Materials Scientist for 2 years, then at Adesis as an Analytical Chemist for a year prior to joining the EEML. His research focuses on studying the effects of ion irradiation on niobium oxide nanostructures for lithium ion batteries. When he isn’t working, he enjoys traveling to different places and spending time with his family, friends, and cats.

  • Sarah Pooley

    Ph.D. Student

    Sarah graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering from Boise State University in 2023. Her research focuses on athermal phase transitions in tantalum oxide and zirconia. She started graduate studies at the EEML in fall 2023, following an internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Outside of research and studying, Sarah enjoys reading, hiking, gardening, and writing.

    Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering

    Sarah graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering from Boise State University in 2023. Her research focuses on athermal phase transitions in tantalum oxide and zirconia. She started graduate studies at the EEML in fall 2023, following an internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Outside of research and studying, Sarah enjoys reading, hiking, gardening, and writing.

  • Jiacheng Hu

    Ph.D. Student

    Jiacheng graduated as a master student in Minerals Engineering from Central South University in 2020. He then as a research assistant came to Beijing to work at Institute of Process Engineering for two years before joining the EEML. The research he’s involved with is cathode electrode materials synthesis and processing for sodium ion batteries. When he is not studying, he enjoys riding, running, hiking and watching films.

    Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering

    Jiacheng graduated as a master student in Minerals Engineering from Central South University in 2020. He then as a research assistant came to Beijing to work at Institute of Process Engineering for two years before joining the EEML. The research he’s involved with is cathode electrode materials synthesis and processing for sodium ion batteries. When he is not studying, he enjoys riding, running, hiking and watching films.

  • Shinthia Eskender

    Ph.D. Student

    Shinthia graduated from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) with a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering in 2022. Afterward, she joined the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) as a Research Assistant and then worked as an Application Engineer at the Center of Excellence & Shared Research Facilities Laboratory at KUET for nearly a year before joining the EEML. Her research focuses on the interfacial phenomena of electrode materials and electrolyte degradation in metal batteries and sodium-ion batteries. Outside of research and studies, she enjoys traveling to new places, drawing, and gardening.

    Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering

    Shinthia graduated from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) with a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering in 2022. Afterward, she joined the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) as a Research Assistant and then worked as an Application Engineer at the Center of Excellence & Shared Research Facilities Laboratory at KUET for nearly a year before joining the EEML. Her research focuses on the interfacial phenomena of electrode materials and electrolyte degradation in metal batteries and sodium-ion batteries. Outside of research and studies, she enjoys traveling to new places, drawing, and gardening.

Undergraduate Students

  • Nathan Martin

    B.S. Materials Science and Engineering

    Member since 2024

    Member since 2024

  • Max Bork

    B.S. Materials Science and Engineering

    Member Since 2024

    Member Since 2024

  • Blake Michaelsen

    B.S. Materials Science and Engineering

    Blake is a Materials Science and Engineering undergraduate student at Boise State looking to graduate with his Bachelor of Science in Spring 2026. He is working to graduate with a Masters in Materials Science and Engineering by Spring of 2027 through the Boise State Accelerated Masters program. When he isn’t studying, he enjoys listening to music, weight lifting, and spending time with his family.

    Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering

    Blake is a Materials Science and Engineering undergraduate student at Boise State looking to graduate with his Bachelor of Science in Spring 2026. He is working to graduate with a Masters in Materials Science and Engineering by Spring of 2027 through the Boise State Accelerated Masters program. When he isn’t studying, he enjoys listening to music, weight lifting, and spending time with his family.

  • David Smith

    B.S. Materials Science and Engineering

    Member Since 2024. David is an undergraduate studying Materials Science and Engineering, hoping to graduate in spring of 2027. When he is not doing schoolwork or research. he enjoys reading and plays saxophone. He is still unsure about what He will do after He graduates, but is hoping to continue working in research or a related field.

    Member Since 2024. David is an undergraduate studying Materials Science and Engineering, hoping to graduate in spring of 2027. When he is not doing schoolwork or research. he enjoys reading and plays saxophone. He is still unsure about what He will do after He graduates, but is hoping to continue working in research or a related field.

  • Alex Koisch

    B.S. Materials Science and Engineering

    Member since 2023

    Member since 2023

  • Ben Deboisblanc

    B.S. Materials Science and Engineering

    Member since 2023

    Member since 2023

High School Students

  • Galib Grbić

    Galib Grbić

    High school student

    Galib is a junior at Renaissance High School. For college, he is considering majoring in electrical engineering or architecture. Galib was introduced to EEML through the Project SEED program in the summer of 2022, and has continued work with the group ever since. In his free time, he enjoys watching TV dramas with his family, playing the violin, and working on his next art project.

    Renaissance High School

    Galib is a junior at Renaissance High School. For college, he is considering majoring in electrical engineering or architecture. Galib was introduced to EEML through the Project SEED program in the summer of 2022, and has continued work with the group ever since. In his free time, he enjoys watching TV dramas with his family, playing the violin, and working on his next art project.

  • Alexander Wiseman

    Renaissance High School

    Alexander Wiseman is a Junior at Renaissance High School in Meridian, ID. He has a passion for science, engineering and medicine. Alex is working in the Materials Science and Engineering Lab, where he is gaining hands-on experience. Alex is involved with the ICO Youth, where he enjoys helping to organize volunteer projects in the community. In addition to his research and studies, Alex actively participates in the RHS Academic Decathlon team, HOSA, NHD and Science bowl. Alex’s hobbies include fishing, hiking and learning new information.

    Alexander Wiseman is a Junior at Renaissance High School in Meridian, ID. He has a passion for science, engineering and medicine. Alex is working in the Materials Science and Engineering Lab, where he is gaining hands-on experience. Alex is involved with the ICO Youth, where he enjoys helping to organize volunteer projects in the community. In addition to his research and studies, Alex actively participates in the RHS Academic Decathlon team, HOSA, NHD and Science bowl. Alex’s hobbies include fishing, hiking and learning new information.

  • Bryan Li

    Timberline High School

    Member since 2024

    Member since 2024