معرفی
Rico Del Sesto is a Professor of Chemistry at Utah Tech University, where he has been a faculty member since 2012. He previously served as Department Chair of Physical Sciences (2017-2021) and Director of the Research Office (2014-2022). Currently, he directs the Center for Climate Resilience and Sustainability. His career includes significant research positions at Los Alamos National Laboratory (2004-2012) and a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at the US Air Force Academy (2002-2004).
Dr. Del Sesto received his education from prestigious institutions:
- Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, University of Utah, 2002
- B.A. in Chemistry, Colby College, Waterville, ME, 1997
His research interests span multiple interdisciplinary fields with a focus on materials chemistry. Dr. Del Sesto leads the Functional Materials Laboratory, which develops new materials with functional properties including optical, magnetic, electronic, and mechanical characteristics through strategic molecular design. His work bridges organic chemistry with applications in materials science, biology, inorganic chemistry, and physics. Current research projects address critical challenges in materials science, energy, national security, and climate resilience through collaborations with the Departments of Energy, Defense, Homeland Security, and the Intelligence Community.
Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on ionic liquids and their diverse applications. His work spans from fundamental chemical properties to practical implementations in biomedical, security, and energy contexts. A notable trend is the evolution from basic ionic liquid chemistry toward increasingly sophisticated applications in drug delivery, antimicrobial technologies, and advanced materials for energy storage.
Dr. Del Sesto has received significant recognition for his work, including:
- National Academies of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Multiple patents with practical applications
- Front cover features for several publications
- Highlighting in Nature and Scientific American for groundbreaking research
- 'top 25' most cited in Journal of Organometallic Chemistry
As an educator and mentor, Dr. Del Sesto has secured over $8 million in research funding as Principal Investigator for more than 15 programs from DOE, DOD, and DHS. He teaches a comprehensive range of courses from introductory organic chemistry to advanced materials chemistry. Drawing from his own experience as a first-generation, underrepresented undergraduate student, he actively encourages diversity in STEM research participation. His educational philosophy emphasizes connecting chemistry to real-world applications and the broader context of students' lives.
Dr. Del Sesto contributes to scientific community engagement through regional Science Café events and his leadership in the Center for Climate Resilience and Sustainability, demonstrating commitment to both fundamental research and practical societal impact.
