Channel: caltech

Category: Education

Description: More information: events.caltech.edu/series/science-journeys/2022-04-22 Fernando Villafuerte is a fifth-year PhD candidate in materials science at Caltech. He investigates materials derived from a common ingredient in rubber for use as electrolytes in lithium-ion and lithium batteries. Born to parents with roots in Latin America and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Villafuerte first studied German and International Relations at Cornell University, after which he spent a number of years working in the non-profit legal sector. With an eye toward pursuing a profession with meaningful social and technological impact, he enrolled at Hunter College in New York to study physics. While at Hunter, Villafuerte worked in the lab of Professor Steven Greenbaum on investigating energy storage materials. He secured a summer fellowship at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he worked on verifying experimental data from batteries with potential application in deep space probes. These experiences eventually led Fernando to Caltech and the group of Professor Julia R. Greer, where he currently undertakes his research. Outside of research, Villafuerte has been a tutor to local Pasadena high school students through the RISE program at the Caltech Y for four years. He is interested in housing and energy policy. He also enjoys reading, hiking, and the occasional game of pool. --- Produced in association with Caltech Academic Media Technologies. ©2022 California Institute of Technology