Dr. Miguel Polanco
APolanco @ mit . edu
Miguel is currently a Postdoctoral Associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry from University of Pennsylvania, and a BSc in Chemistry from Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (México).
His research interests lie at intersections of Chemistry, Physics, and Materials Science. His main focus is in problems related to catalysis, selective adsorption and chirality, efficient energy-harvesting applications (thermoelectric, semiconducting, and solar), ferroelectricity, and phenomena arising at interfaces and the nanoscale.
He also enjoys teaching, outreach programmes, and multicultural events. He has been a mentor in the Mexican Chemistry Olympiad (winning 16 medals, 4-gold) and the Fulbright's pre-academic English Language Programme (at UPenn). He is a self-declared football player, chocolate lover, languages and world-culture enthusiast –trying to learn just enough 中文 to read random news here and there.
Education
- Postdoctoral Associate – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- PhD Physical Chemistry – University of Pennsylvania
- BSc Chemistry – Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (México)
Research Interests
- Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science
- Surfaces, interfaces, and nanoscale phenomena: Catalysis, chirality, selective adsorption, ferroelectricity
- Energy harvesting: semiconducting, thermoelectric, solar applications
Teaching and outreach
- Mexican National Chemistry Olympiad, 16 medals (4-gold)
- Fulbright UPenn pre-academic English Language Program
- Chemistry and Math courses, high-school and college levels