Research Faculty
Dr. J. Douglas Way
Professor Way is a world expert on metal
membranes for use in gas separations, particularly those pertaining to hydrogen. After a distinguished career at Mines,
Doug formally retired and took up an Emeritus position. We are delighted that Doug continues to collaborate and co-advise
students on our hydrogen separation membrane projects for applications in fusion and ammonia decomposition.
Dr. Mingyuan Cao
Mingyuan was born in
Chengdu city, China, and completed his BS degree at Southwest Petroleum University. He then earned
his Master's and Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Southern California,
focusing on membrane reactor and adsorptive reactor for hydrogen production. During his Ph.D.,
he developed a strong interest in computational modeling while working at UCLA. In summer of 2024,
he joined Prof. Wolden's research group as a Postdoc, working on catalytic membrane reactor for
ammonia decomposition and fusion plasma. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and longboard skating
along the beach, and reading history books.
Graduate Students
Saeed Ahmadi Vaselabadi
I was born and raised in Shiraz, Iran.
I completed My BS in Chemical Engineering at Sharif University of Technology, Iran.
I have moved to the US in 2012 when I joined the University of Houston to earn my MSc. degree in Chemical Engineering
as well. I have recently joined Dr. Wolden’s group to work with Will on solid-state electrolytes for next-generation
battery applications. Outside work, I enjoy spending time with friends, playing volleyball and occasional cooking.
Andrea Mathew
Andrea is a Materials Science PhD
student who completed her bachelor's at University of Michigan. After four years working at Texas Instruments in
semiconductor processing and failure analysis, she joined Dr. Wolden's group to study the front interface of CdTe
thin film solar cells at NREL. In her free time, she likes to hike, climb, cook, and play with her dog.
Chao Li
Chao holds a bachelor's degree
from Nanjing Tech University and a master's degree from Texas Tech University, both majoring in chemical engineering.
He is currently a PhD student in Dr. Wolden's group, focusing on the development of novel hydrogen separation
membranes used as metal foil pumps in fusion technology. He likes cooking very much in his free time, and his
specialty is spicy boiled fish.
Nolan Kelley
Nolan obtained his BS in Chemical
Engineering in May of 2018 from the University of Oklahoma. Unsure of what he wanted to do after college, he helped his
parents relocate to Santa Rosa, California, where he found a job in the Biotech industry and worked in Petaluma,
California for 2 and a half years before deciding it was time to go back to school. He is currently pursuing his
master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and recently joined Dr. Wolden’s research group in spring of 2022 working
on improving the CMR configuration for ammonia decomposition and applying this method to WGS, SMR and the reforming
of other carbon neutral biofuels. In his free time, you could find him biking, skiing, hanging with friends, or
eating a bowl of Homemade Vanilla Blue Bell ice cream.
Sean Mathews
Sean was raised in Kansas City and recently completed
his BS Chemical Engineering degree at the Colorado School of Mines. He is now a MS candidate developing earth abundant catalyts
for ammonia decomposition. In his free time Sean enjoys baking and playing
volleyball. Upon graduation, he plans to enter the renewable energy industry.
Ben Ivie
Ben obtained his BS and MS in Mechanical
Engineering in 2016 and 2017 respectively from Lehigh University. A little while after graduating he secured a job
at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center where he worked on testing fuel elements for in space nuclear thermal propulsion
for about 5 years. While he was able to learn a lot, he decided to switch career fields into the energy sector to help
tackle climate change. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Colorado School of Mines as a part of the Advanced Energy
Systems program and is conducting research under Dr. Wolden on ammonia decomposition for use in the hydrogen economy.
During his free time, he enjoys working out (especially running), reading about history and watching anime.
Cameron Burst
Cameron is originally from
New Orleans, Louisiana. He recently completed hisa bachelor's degree in engineering physics. He is now
pursuing his MS degree in Material Science researching composite metal membranes for recovery of hydrogen isotopes relevant
for fusion energy applications. After graduation, he hopes to continue to work in renewable energy
research. His favorite pastimes include hiking, climbing, and woodworking.
Garrett Strain
Garrett hails from the
Twin Cities, but family ties to Colorado led him to Mines where he recently completed a BS in Chemical
Engineering. Uncertain of where to go next and looking to get a fourth year in college he is
continuing at Mines in pursuit of an MS in Chemical Engineering. An interest in research and
alternative energy technologies led him to join the Wolden group, where he will be working on
methanol reforming. Outside of the lab, he enjoys hiking, biking, and leading the percussion sections
in the Mines band and orchestra.
Emma Neuroth
Emma is from Lakewood, CO and
recently completed her her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and has transtioned to beginning her master’s degree in
nuclear engineering. She is a captain of the Mines swim team and loves to spend time with friends
outside at clear creek playing spikeball, tubing, or going on walks. She will be working on the
technoeconomic analysis of a tritium vacuum permeator and after graduating, she hopes to work in
the nuclear industry focusing on fuels.
Undergraduate Researchers
Kagan Killough
Kagan is from Castle Rock, CO,
and is here at Mines seeking a bachelor's in chemical engineering. Currently, Kagan's research involves
the nanoscale engineering of membrane supports for hydrogen production, work that he hopes will transfer
into a future career in the research and development of alternative energies. For fun, Kagan enjoys reading,
playing D&D with his friends, and hiking.
Brynn Benham
I am from Colorado Springs, Colorado,
and I have just finished my first year studying for my Bachelor's in chemical engineering at Colorado School of Mines.
I play for the Mines Women's Club Soccer Team and enjoy reading and crocheting outside of school. Brynn is working on development
of solid state battery materials.
John Braford
John is from Parker,
Colorado and is currently an undergraduate student in the chemical engineering department . He is
currently researching the formation of lanthanum based perovskite catalyst for the decomposition
of ammonia. John is interested in pursuing a career in clean energy or academia. In his free time
he enjoys hiking, biking, playing pickle ball, and spending time with friends and family.
Caroline Hufnagel
Caroline is originally
from Baltimore MD. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Caroline is currently
researching metal foil pumps for used for isotope recyling in fusion technologies. In her free time,
Caroline enjoys reading, knitting, playing cards, climbing, and is learning to mountain bike.
nuclear engineering.
Ben Bauerle
Ben is from Windsor,
CO, and he is pursuing a degree in chemical and biological engineering here at Mines. Ben will be
working on surface diffusion applications on CMRs for hydrogen blend fuel production. In his free
time, Ben likes to hike, paddle board, go to the gym, and play video games with his friends.
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