Luke Westawker
Research Associate Chemistry, Artificial Photosynthesis, Chemistry Division
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Chemistry Division
Bldg. 555
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
Pronouns: he/him
With a PhD in chemistry and 10 years of experience in chemistry research, Luke serves as a research associate at Brookhaven National Lab, probing light-induced chemistry of inorganic catalysts. His work is guided by a commitment to advancing our understanding of novel science by strategically approaching a problem from multiple angles. Through his work, he establishes and runs collaborative teams, ensures safe and productive work environments, and efficiently manages multiple projects resulting in many publications.
Education | Appointments | Publications | Awards
Education
Ph.D., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2026 (Chemistry), advisor: Liviu Mirica
B.A., Carleton College, 2020 (Chemistry, German), advisor: Matthew Whited
Professional Appointments
NSF Graduate Research Fellow, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2023–2026
Sustainability Advisory Commission Chair, City of Urbana, 2022–2026
Graduate Teaching Associate, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2021–2023
DOE Research Intern, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2020–2021
Selected Publications
- Westawker LP, Bouley BS, Vura-Weis J, Mirica LM (2025) Photochemistry of Ni(II) Tolyl Chlorides Supported by Bidentate Ligand Frameworks. Journal of the American Chemical Society 147:17315–17329. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c03770
- Westawker LP, Wallick RF, Schultz JW, et al (2026) Nickel K-Edge XANES Studies on Pyridinophane-Supported Coordination Complexes. Inorganic Chemistry 65:18171–18184. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6c02509
- Westawker LP, Holm AR, Bouley BS, et al (2026) Zero-field splitting & spin states of photoactive pyridinophanesupported Ni(II)Cl2 complexes. https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv.15006500/v1
- Westawker LP, Khusnutdinova JK, Wallick RF, Mirica LM (2023) Palladium K-edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Studies on Controlled Ligand Systems. Inorganic Chemistry 62:21128–21137. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c03032
Awards & Recognition
2023 — National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow (NSF GRFP)
2021 — Department of Energy Science Undergraduate Internship (DOE-SULI) - National
2020 — Department of Energy Science Undergraduate Internship (DOE-SULI) - National
2020 — U.S. Department of State Young Professionals Fellowship (DOS CBYX)
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Chemistry Division
Bldg. 555
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
