Elizabeth M.Y. Lee

Elizabeth (Liza) Lee is an Assistant Professor at the Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine (UCI), with joint appointments in Materials Science and Engineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Her research program focuses on theory and computational modeling of materials formation, breakdown, and transport to design sustainable solutions for quantum and energy technologies.

• Ph.D., MIT, Chemical Engineering
• M.S., MIT, Chemical Engineering Practice
• B.S./B.A., Johns Hopkins University, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Chemistry

Lee’s research bridges ab initio calculations, machine learning, and molecular simulations to study functional materials. Key areas include catalytic plastic waste deconstruction, quantum defects in semiconductors, and computational method development using statistical mechanics and machine learning. Her work has implications for sustainable synthesis, quantum information science, and energy technologies.

Her recent publications (2025–2024) span nanostructure modeling, electrocatalysis, machine learning in materials science, and solid-state electrolytes, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach. Notable awards include the NSF CAREER Award, UCI Samueli Faculty Development Chair, and DOE ASCR Leadership Computing Challenge Award.

• NSF CAREER Award
• UCI Samueli Faculty Development Chair
• DOE ASCR Leadership Computing Challenge Award
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
• AIChE Electronics and Photonics Materials Award
• UCI Engineering Student Council’s Professor of the Year Award
• Maria Lastra Postdoctoral Mentor Award