Zachary Ulissi
Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering
Ulissi joined Carnegie Mellon University in 2016. He received his B.S. in physics and B.E. in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware in 2009, a master's of advanced studies in mathematics from the University of Cambridge in 2010, and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from MIT in 2015. His thesis research at MIT focused on the the applications of systems engineering methods to understanding selective nanoscale carbon nanotube devices and sensors under the supervision of Michael S. Strano and Richard Braatz. Ulissi was then a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford with Jens K. Nørskov where he worked on machine learning techniques to simplify complex catalyst reaction networks, applied to the electrochemical reduction of N2 and CO2 to fuels.
Designing New Molecules with Machine Learning
Education
2015 Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2010 MA, Applied Mathematics, Cambridge University
2009 BE, Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware
2009 BS, Physics, University of Delaware
Affiliations
Research Interests
Media mentions
2021 Engineering faculty award winners selected
Congratulations to the 2021 CMU Engineering Faculty Awards winners.
Multiple outlets
Ulissi quoted on AI research
ChemE’s Zack Ulissi was quoted on his AI research with Facebook in multiple outlets, including CNBC, CNET, Engadget, Yahoo, Fortune, VentureBeat, and more.
CMU Engineering
Ulissi and Facebook AI create world’s largest catalysis dataset
Zack Ulissi and Facebook AI Research (FAIR) have created the Open Catalyst Project, the largest dataset of its kind, to accelerate the discovery of new catalysts for use in renewable energy storage.
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Ulissi recognized for outstanding research
ChemE’s Zachary Ulissi was named one of AIChE’s 35 Under 35 for his work on the development and application of high-throughput simulation methods, active learning methods, and machine learning models for surface science and catalysis.
Chemical Engineering
Ulissi receives 3M award
ChemE’s Zack Ulissi received a 3M Non-tenured Faculty Award.
Wired
Ulissi quoted on material design
ChemE’s Zach Ulissi was quoted in Wired on material design.
Chemical Engineering
AI helps researchers up-cycle waste carbon
A collaboration between CMU ChemE and the University of Toronto has produced a record-setting catalyst for CO2-to-ethylene conversion.
Chemical Engineering
Zack Ulissi receives 3M award
Zack Ulissi has received a 3M Non-tenured Faculty Award, which recognizes outstanding young faculty who excel in STEM research, academic leadership, and experience.
CMU Engineering
Move to remote research invites innovation
While much of our lives can now function remotely, the transition to online poses unique challenges for academia—particularly for research universities like Carnegie Mellon.
Jayan and Ulissi named Scott Institute Fellows
MechE’s B. Reeja Jayan and ChemE’s Zack Ulissi have been named Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation Energy Fellows.
Department of Energy
DOE awards Litster and partners $3.7M for fuel cell tech research
MechE’s Shawn Litster is involved in two new projects on fuel cells for heavy-duty vehicles, which are both funded by the Department of Energy (DOE).
CMU Engineering
CMU among first to pilot brand new supercomputer
In 2020, the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center will celebrate the arrival of the Perlmutter supercomputer—and Zack Ulissi will be one of the first to use it.