Group Members
[Last updated on: 3/5/2024]
Professor Sean Lubner (CV)
Sean Lubner, core faculty with the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS), is an assistant professor at Boston University in mechanical engineering and materials science engineering. Before joining BU, Lubner was a research scientist at MIT and a Seaborg Fellow research scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Applied Physics from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was an NSF fellow.
He specializes in nano-to-macro energy transport and conversion, and has worked on a variety of energy-related systems including biomedical devices, electrochemical and thermal energy storage systems, solid state energy conversion devices, machine learning models, and water desalination. Lubner works extensively with both industry and academia, and holds numerous joint patents and publications.
His current interests are most focused on grid-scale long duration energy storage in the form of high temperature heat, to help decarbonize both electricity and industrial process heat; non-invasive in-situ sensors for delicate or harsh environments, such as batteries, biological systems, or fuel cells; and direct air capture of CO2.
Education:
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley, 2016
B.S. in Applied Physics from Carnegie Mellon University, 2011
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, 2011
Affiliations:
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Assistant Professor, Division of Materials Science & Engineering
Core Faculty, Institute for Global Sustainability
Boston University Photonics Center
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Graduate Students
Aaron Khan (he/him) – LinkedIn – abacchus@bu.edu
Program: Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering
Education:
B.S. Physics from University of Connecticut, 2017
M.S. Materials Science & Engineering (LEAP) from Boston University, 2022
Research: Thermal wave sensing in fabrication and cycling of clean energy storage materials
– Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS) Summer Fellow, 2023
Hobbies: Years of kitchen/bartending experience led to a love of cooking and mixology and fostered an interest in molecular gastronomy. Also plays guitar (he snuck onto an FM radio show once!), plays video games and lifts recreationally. Involved in SAGE and immigration non-profit work.
Savannah Schisler (she/her) – LinkedIn – sschisle@bu.edu
Program: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Education:
B.S. Mechanical Engineering from University of Rochester, 2022
B.A. in Physics & Astronomy from University of Rochester, 2022
Research: Using optical methods to study thermal properties of materials; energy storage
– Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) BE the Future Scholar, 2024
Hobbies: In her free time, you can find her playing field hockey or working out at FitRec, admiring her houseplants, drinking coffee, painting, or reading! Involved with SAGE, MSE GSA, and GWISE on campus.
Jay Yoo (he/him) – LinkedIn – jyoo8826@bu.edu
Program: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Education:
B.S. Mechanical Engineering from University of Rochester, 2023
Research: High-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage Materials
Hobbies: Dedicates most of his free time working out at FitRec, likes to learn and cook various cuisines. Also likes to sing and play the guitar, plays videogames.
Research Members
Hannes Albers (he/him)
Program: Research Fellow
Education:
B.S. Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich, 2020
M.S. Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich, 2023
Research: CO2 sorbent material coating processes development on porous materials, CO2 sorbent materials performance and stability testing in indoor and outdoor environment
Hobbies: In his free time, he does triathlon and climbing in summers and mountaineering and Skeleton in winter times.
Undergraduate Students
Alexander Rocca (he/him) – LinkedIn
Major: B.S. Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Energy Technologies and Sustainability, Co’25
Research: Direct Air Capture Technologies
Hobbies: In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, hiking, brewing espresso, making pasta, reading, and listening to music. He also works as a Lab Advisor at SILab.
K. Raina Tung (she/her) – LinkedIn
Major: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Co’24
Research: Materials science, energy technology, and sustainability
Hobbies: Enjoys playing violin, editing videos, needle felting, watching baseball. Involved in EK100 and ENG Student Government on campus.