Ivan Popov

Dr. Ivan A. Popov is an Assistant Professor at Washington State University's Department of Chemistry. He leads the Popov Computational Chemistry Lab, focusing on heavy element chemistry, energy storage, and exotic clusters. Previously, he held postdoctoral fellowships at Los Alamos National Laboratory, including the Oppenheimer Distinguished Fellowship. His research integrates computational methods to study actinide/lanthanide complexes, redox flow batteries, and cluster stability.

Education: B.S. and M.S. (Physical Chemistry, RUDN University, 2009-2011); Ph.D. (Computational Physical Chemistry, Utah State University, 2017). Postdoctoral training at Los Alamos National Laboratory (2017-2021).

Research interests include computational modeling of f-block element bonding, design of charge carriers for energy storage, and structural analysis of clusters. His work bridges theory and experiment, collaborating with groups globally.

Key awards: Meyer Early Career Launch Fellowship (WSU), Buchtel Award (UA). Active in editorial roles for Frontiers in Chemistry and Essential Chem.

Advises graduate students (Chad Studvick, Iaroslav Gureev) and undergraduates (Jonah Sprosty). Manages federal grants from NNSA for transuranic chemistry research. Lab located in Troy Hall, WSU Pullman campus.