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Prof. Yu-chen Karen Chen-Wiegart

Associate Professor, Stony Brook University
Joint Appointment, Brookhaven National Laboratory

Karen

Prof. Chen-Wiegart emphasizes on applying state-of-the-art x-ray imaging and spectroscopic techniques to study novel functional materials. Her current interests include energy storage and conversion, nano-/meso-porous materials, thin film & surface treatment, 3D printing/additive manufacturing and cultural heritage. She also holds a Joint Appointment with National Synchrotron Light Source – II (NSLS-II) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), coordinating the efforts of multi-modal research approach.

Before joining the Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering at Stony Brook University, she served as beamline scientist at the Sub-Micron Resolution X-ray Spectroscopy (SRX) Beamline of NSLS-II. Prior to that she was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Synchrotron Light Source at BNL, where she participated in the commissioning of the new high-resolution x-ray transmission microscope and in establishing the new associated research program. Her PhD research at Northwestern University focused on the study of the dealloying and coarsening behaviors of nanoporous metal which has numerous potential applications, co-funded by Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. In addition to working at National Laboratories and Universities, she has also been partnering with industries in solving technological challenges in functional materials.

While continuing to develop cutting-edge x-ray tools, she is exploring new opportunities in functional materials. She has also been active in out-reach programs at NSLS-II and SBU, organizing events such as “Bring Our Children to Work Day” for the Photon Sciences Division at BNL, volunteering for educational and outreach events, and teaching courses in Women in Science & Engineering program at SBU. She and her husband also attend services at a local church, North Shore Christian Church in Riverhead, NY, and serve in their children's ministry. 

Contact

Karen.Chen-Wiegart@stonybrook.edu
204 Engineering Bldg. Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
+1-631-632-4537

Education

Ph.D. 2011: Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University
B.S. 2007: Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University

Career

Associate professor (2023-present), Assistant Professor (2017-2023), Adjunct Faculty (2015-2017)
Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University

Joint Appointment (2017-present), Associate Physicist (2016-2017), Assistant Physicist (2014-2016) 
National Synchrotron Light Source – II, Brookhaven National Laboratory

Research Associate (2011-2014)
National Synchrotron Light Source, Brookhaven National Laboratory

Research Assistant (2007-2011)
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University; Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory

Teaching

  • 2019 Fall - 2022 Fall:  ESG 420 - Fluid Flow, Heat & Mass Transport
  • 2018 Spring - Current:  ESM 521 - Kinetics of Materials

    Honor

  • NSF CAREER Award (2018): Division of Materials Research, National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • TMS Frontiers of Materials Award (2022): The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS)