Sarah Bevilacqua

Sarah Bevilacqua is a Researcher at Penn State University, alumni of the Resnick Graduate Research Fellowship. She holds a BS in Chemistry with honors and a minor in Statistics from Penn State University, where her thesis focused on nanoparticle synthesis in Professor Raymond Schaak's lab. She later earned an MS in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), working with the See group on next-generation battery electrolytes.

Her research spans two primary areas: (1) electrochemistry and energy storage, focusing on magnesium batteries and solid-state ionics, and (2) molecular biology, investigating PERK protein kinase's role in proinsulin processing within pancreatic beta-cells. Notable contributions include developing conditioning-free magnesium electrolytes and elucidating PERK's regulatory mechanisms in ER chaperone control.

Her publications (2015–2020) highlight advancements in Mg-S battery chemistry and foundational insights into PERK's dual impact on insulin production and cellular stress responses. She was awarded the Resnick Graduate Research Fellowship for her innovative work in sustainable energy storage systems.

Advising relationships include Dr. Kimberly See as her RSI research faculty adviser. Her work bridges materials science and biochemistry, reflecting interdisciplinary collaboration across Penn State and Caltech labs.