Karoline Garcia-Pedraza

Karoline Garcia-Pedraza, 5th year PhD student in Dr. Watson's lab.

Recent publications: 5 publications 2022-present, including one first author article and one co-first-author (equal contribution) article:

1. García-Pedraza, K. E.; Ayala, J. R.; Wijethyunga, U.; Giem, A. R.; Agbeworvi, G.; Banerjee, S.; Watson, D. F. Heterostructures of Ni(II)-doped CdS quantum dots and β-Pb_0.33V₂O₅ nanowires: Enhanced charge separation and redox photocatalysis via doping of QDs. Nano Research 2024, ASAP article. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-024-6675-5
2. Ayala, J. R.†; García-Pedraza, K. E.†; Giem, A. R.; Wijethunga, U.; Hariyani, S.; Carrillo, L.; Jaye, C.; Weiland, C.; Fischer, D. A.; Watson, D. F.; Banerjee, S. Interface-Modulated Kinetic Differentials in Electron and Hole Transfer Rates as a Key Design Principle for Redox Photocatalysis by Sb₂VO₅/QD Heterostructures. J. Chem. Phys. 2024, 160, 194703. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0201550
   † equal contribution
3. Zaheer, W.; McGranahan, C. R.; Ayala, J. R.; García-Pedraza, K. E.; Carrillo, L. J.; Rothfuss, A. R. R.; Wijethunga, U.; Agbeworvi, G.; Giem, A. R.; Andrews, J. L.; Handy, J. V.; Perez-Beltran, S.; Caledron-Oliver, R.; Ma, L.; Ehrlich, S. N.; Jaye, C.; Weiland, C.; Fischer, D.A.; Watson, D. F.; Banerjee, S. “Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution mechanisms mediated by stereoactive lone pairs of Sb₂VO₅ in quantum dot heterostructures.” Chem Catalysis 2024, 4, 100844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.checat.2023.100844
4. Rothfuss, R. M.; Ayala, J. R.; Handy, J. V.; McGranahan, C. R.; García-Pedraza, K. E.; Banerjee, S.; Watson, D. F. “Linker-Assisted Assembly of Ligand-Bridged CdS/MoS₂ Heterostructures: Tunable Light-Harvesting Properties and Ligand-Dependent Control of Charge-Transfer Dynamics and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.” ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2023, 15, 39966-39979. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.3c06722
5. Handy, J.V.; Zaheer, W.; Rothfuss, A. R. R.; McGranahan, C. R.; Agbeworvi, G.; Andrews, J. L.; García-Pedraza, K. E.; Ponis, J. D.; Ayala, J. R.; Ding, Y.; Watson, D. F.; Banerjee, S. “Lone but Not Alone: Precise Positioning of Lone Pairs for the Design of Photocatalytic Architectures.” Chem. Mater. 2022, 34, 1439-1458. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.chemmater.1c03762

Recent and upcoming presentations, including presentation at 2023 ACS Spring National Meeting, selected for presentation at Sci-Mix, as among the most exceptional abstracts submitted to the Physical Chemistry Division.

1. García-Pedraza, K. E.; Ayala, J. R.; Banerjee, S.; Watson, D. F. “Heterostructured Photocatalysts of Ni(II)-Doped CdS Quantum Dots and β-Pb_0.33V₂O₅ Nanowires: Towards Selective CO₂ Reduction.” American Chemical Society National Meeting Fall 2024; Denver, CO. August 18-22, 2024. Poster presentation, contributed.
2. García-Pedraza, K. E.; Watson, D. F. “Heterostructured Photocatalysts of Ni²⁺ Doped CdS Quantum Dots and β-Pb_0.33V₂O₅ Nanowires: Towards Selective CO₂ Reduction.” American Chemical Society National Meeting Spring 2023; Indianapolis, IN. March 26-30, 2023. Oral presentation, contributed. Abstract selected for presentation at Sci-Mix.
3. García-Pedraza, K. E.; Watson, D. F. “Heterostructured Photocatalysts of Ni²⁺ Doped CdS Quantum Dots and β-Pb_0.33V₂O₅ Nanowires: Towards Selective CO₂ Reduction.” 2023 Materials Research Society Spring Meeting; San Francisco, CA. April 10-14, 2023. Poster presentation, contributed.
4. García-Pedraza, K. E.; Watson, D. F. “Heterostructured photocatalysts of Ni²⁺ doped CdS quantum dots and β-Pb_0.33v₂o₅ nanowires: Towards selective CO₂ reduction.” American Chemical Society Northeast Regional Meeting 2022; Rochester, NY. October 2-5, 2022. Oral presentation, invited.

Recent awards:

• 2024-2025 College of Arts and Sciences Dissertation Fellowship
• 2024 Marjorie E. Winkler Fellowship and James T. Grey, Jr. Fellowship
• 2023 ACS Bridge Career & Professional Development Award

My research is focused on the synthesis of doped-quantum dot/M_xV₂O₅ heterostructures and characterization of their photoinduced interfacial charge-transfer dynamics for applications in photocatalytic CO₂ reduction and hydrogen generation.

As a graduate student, I find it incredibly enriching to have daily opportunities for learning, professional growth, and meaningful interactions with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds. These experiences broadened my perspective and helped me to become a better and more empathetic person.

Outside the lab, I make my well-being a priority by going to the gym and practicing meditation to stay grounded, especially during busy times of the semester. Additionally, I enjoy spending time with my family in Rochester.