Jennifer Schaefer
Sheehan Family Collegiate Professor of Engineering, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Professor Jennifer Schaefer studies how materials behave at the molecular and mesoscale levels and how those properties can be harnessed to develop new technologies. Her research group focuses particularly on energy and the environment, with work that could influence next-generation batteries, sensors, cooling systems, and processes for recovering critical minerals.
Schaefer is motivated by the potential for discoveries in materials science to improve everyday life, even when the materials that make new technologies possible often go unnoticed.
“I was inspired by the realization that new materials change lives for the better,” Schaefer said. “We often take these materials and the technologies built on them for granted.”
At Notre Dame, Schaefer sees a natural connection between her pursuit of scientific discovery and the University’s commitment to human flourishing and care for creation.
“Notre Dame is a special place where faith is respected in support of the pursuit of truth through a wide array of fields, including engineering and science,” she said. “It is my joy to lead a research group focused on materials and electrochemical engineering to further technologies related to energy and sustainability here at Notre Dame. Our work contributes to the global striving towards human flourishing alongside care for creation.”
