Martina Lessio

Dr. Martina Lessio is a Scientia Lecturer at the School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW), with a focus on computational investigations of molecules and materials for sustainability applications. Prior to joining UNSW, she held academic positions at Columbia University as a Science Fellow and at the University of Sydney as a University of Sydney Fellow. Her work spans catalysis, materials design, and environmental chemistry.

• Bachelor's and Master's in Chemistry, Torino, Italy
• PhD in Chemistry, Princeton University, 2017

Martina's research interests center on computational chemistry applied to sustainability, including CO2 conversion catalysts, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), hydrogen interaction with surfaces, and environmental applications such as water purification and marble conservation. She has contributed to understanding reaction mechanisms and materials optimization for renewable energy and pollution mitigation.

Her recent publications highlight advancements in electrocatalysis, surface science, and MOF-based solutions for sustainability. Key areas include computational modeling of nanoparticle catalysts, defect engineering in MOFs, and electrochemical energy storage systems like lithium-ion and zinc batteries.

• Columbia Science Fellowship
• University of Sydney Fellowship
• UNSW Scientia Fellowship

Martina collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and mentors students, though no specific advisees are listed. She combines computational methods with experimental insights to address challenges in green chemistry and materials science.