Hasan Nikkhah is a Ph.D. student in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Connecticut, where he is developing innovative solutions for lithium recovery—a process central to the future of clean energy and national sustainability. Under the mentorship of Dr. Beykal, Hasan’s work focuses on designing an economical and environmentally responsible method for lithium extraction, contributing to U.S. efforts to reduce dependency on foreign sources of this critical material often dubbed “white gold.”

Hasan earned his master’s degree from UConn in 2024 and chose to continue his academic journey here after experiencing the supportive research culture and vibrant innovation environment. His graduate work has already earned him multiple accolades, including the Best Poster Award at the FOCAPD conference, the Best Researcher Award from his department in 2024, and the Best Teacher Award in 2023. He was also a finalist for UConn’s Best Graduate Assistant Award.

Always eager to improve the systems around him, Hasan has actively contributed to enhancing student experiences beyond the lab. He proposed and successfully implemented a more equitable online voting system for engineering poster competitions—an initiative he is particularly proud of. His mindset toward driving change also informs his involvement in the John Lof Leadership Academy (JLLA), where he currently serves on the Outreach Committee.

Within JLLA, Hasan has helped brainstorm ways to increase the Academy’s visibility—such as expanding outreach to undergraduates and modernizing the JLLA website. He values the Academy as a space for dynamic dialogue, constructive feedback, and leadership development. “The speaker panels were incredibly insightful,” he notes, “and the discussions helped me reflect on my own leadership approach.”

Looking ahead, Hasan plans to gain industry experience before launching his own consulting firm, where he hopes to build a team of talented engineers united by a mission to create sustainable and impactful solutions. His advice to students is refreshingly pragmatic: “University gives you a rare chance to learn for free. After you graduate, knowledge comes with a price—so take full advantage now!”