Congratulations to Grace Callander, Brandon Clark and Daniela Marin for receiving the Inflection Award, recognizing the 30 best young scientists in the world working on breakthrough solutions to climate change!
Brandon Clark is passionate about translating research into real world sustainable impact. He graduated from Stanford University with a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, and he graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with B.S. degrees in chemical engineering as well as electrical and computer engineering. His professional interests include coordination chemistry, polymer science and membranes, biomimetic materials, and electrocatalysis for applications in clean water technology, chemical separations, the food-water-energy nexus, and waste valorization. He is currently the CTO of Recovered Potential, a startup company focused on electrochemical nutrient recovery from wastewater.
Grace explores the intersection of biology and chemistry in CO₂ capture and conversion technologies as a PhD student at Stanford University. Her research in Alfred Spormann’s microbial physiology lab focuses on developing a novel process to produce crystalline carbon materials from low concentration CO₂. As a native San Franciscan and chemical engineer, she is passionate about the potential of a circular carbon economy to incentivize scalable climate action and build sustainable infrastructure for future generations.
Daniela is a fifth-year PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at Stanford University. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a B.A. in Physics from Columbia University and William Jewell College. Her research focuses on developing bipolar membrane electrolyzers for green hydrogen production from impure water, offering a low-carbon alternative to gray hydrogen in industrial processes. Before Stanford, she researched bio-derived materials and plastics recycling at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Beyond research, she co-led the Stanford Hydrogen Club and works with OpenMinds, a climate-energy nonprofit, to help develop a program aimed at shaping future sustainability leaders.
