Bio
Nicholas Gregorich received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from University of Michigan in 2016, then went onto complete a doctorate degree from Clemson University in 2023 under the advisement of Dr. Eric Davis. His dissertation was titled, Elucidating the Mechanical and Transport Properties of Lignin-Based Hydrogel Composites. His graduate work involved many areas of research that included: lignin recovery and characterization, hydrogel fabrication, polymer rheology, transport, and neutron scattering.
He joined Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a postdoctoral research associate in January 2024 in the Soft Materials and Membranes group of the Chemical Sciences Division. He is currently investigating advanced materials for energy-efficient carbon capture technologies, particularly flue gas and oceanic seawater mediums. These technologies are driven by hollow fiber membrane contactors that can be utilized for separations as both membranes and adsorbents.
Nicholas is passionate about research mentoring, as evidenced by one of his former mentees placing in a poster session at a national conference. He won the Clemson University Three Minute Thesis competition in 2019 and was a finalist at the Southeastern regional competition, placing in the top 8 out of 54 competitors. He was chosen to be the student speaker for his doctoral hooding ceremony and was awarded the R.C. Edwards Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year Award in 2022 for his academic successes and passionate involvement in the Clemson community.