Stephanie Zaleski

Stephanie Zaleski is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB). She holds a PhD in Chemistry from Northwestern University (2016) and a BA in Biochemistry from Barnard College (2011). Her postdoctoral research (2016–2020) spanned cultural institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Library of Congress, focusing on analytical and materials chemistry. Her lab investigates plasmonic nanoparticle assemblies and applies surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to molecular sensing in art conservation, environmental monitoring, and point-of-care diagnostics.

Research projects include flexible SERS substrates, structure-enhancement relationships in multi-layered substrates, and label-free detection of volatile organic compounds. Collaborations with museums and archives address material characterization in cultural heritage. Her lab currently includes students Jordan Barragan, John Juanitas, Ingrid Vargas, Klavdija Bukovec, and Garrett Fisher. She maintains an active research group profile at zaleski-lab-csueb.

Dr. Zaleski’s work bridges analytical chemistry with practical applications in conservation science and environmental sensing, leveraging nanotechnology and advanced spectroscopic techniques to address interdisciplinary challenges.