From Atoms to Impact: Shuting Xiang’s Research Earns SUNY Dissertation Award Recognition

Shuting Xiang, a recent PhD graduate from Stony Brook University's Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, has been recognized with an Honorable Mention for the Distinguished PhD Dissertation Awardfrom the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Her dissertation, "Understanding Structure-Function Relationships in Single-Atom Catalysts for CO₂ and CO Conversion," explores how the structure of materials at the atomic level directly influences their performance in chemical reactions.

Advised by Professor Anatoly Frenkel, Xiang's work sits at the intersection of materials science, chemistry, and emerging computational techniques - offering new insights into how catalysts can be designed more efficiently and effectively.

From left: Dean of the Graduate School Celia Marshik, Shuting Xiang and Anatoly Frenkel, Professor of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, at the 2025 Distinguished Doctoral Colloquium.

Unlocking Performance at the Atomic Scale

To Xiang, understanding the smallest building blocks of matter has the potential to unlock solutions to some of today's most pressing environmental challenges. At the core of Xiang's research is a deceptively simple idea: structure determines function.

To make this concept accessible, Xiang describes it through an analogy: "You can think of structure like the shape of a key," she explains. "If the key has the right shape, it can open the right door. Similarly, when a material has the right structure, it can achieve the desired performance."

Her work focuses specifically on single-atom catalysts - materials in which individual atoms act as active sites for chemical reactions. These systems are incredibly small and complex, requiring advanced techniques to study. Xiang utilized X-ray absorption spectroscopy, often conducted at facilities like Brookhaven National Laboratory, to observe how these materials behave and evolve during reactions in real time.

By uncovering how structural changes affect catalytic performance, her research contributes to broader efforts in improving processes such as carbon dioxide conversion, an area with significant implications for sustainability and energy.

From Curiosity to Discovery

Xiang's path into materials science began during her undergraduate studies in chemical engineering, where she worked in a lab focused on water treatment using nanomaterials.

"That was when I became really interested in materials science," she says. "It allowed me to apply what I learned from textbooks to real-world problems and actually see what was happening."

That early exposure sparked a deeper curiosity that would shape her doctoral research, leading her to explore increasingly complex systems and techniques, including machine learning applications within materials science.

The Power of Mentorship

While doctoral research is often associated with challenges and uncertainty, Xiang credits her experience to strong mentorship and collaboration.

"Of course there were moments where I felt stuck," she reflects. "But whenever I brought my questions to my advisor, he helped guide me in the right direction."

Through regular one-on-one meetings, group discussions, and hands-on training, Xiang developed both technical expertise and confidence in navigating complex research problems. She emphasizes that this support system was essential to her success.

"It's very important to have a great advisor," she says. "That made a huge difference throughout my PhD."

Crafting the Dissertation Story

Beyond the technical challenges of research, Xiang found that one of the most demanding aspects of her PhD was writing the dissertation itself - particularly weaving together years of results into a clear and compelling narrative.

"When you look back, you have so many results," she explains. "The challenge is how to connect them logically and make the story easy to follow."

Through continuous feedback from her advisor and peers, Xiang refined her ability to communicate complex ideas - an essential skill for any researcher aiming to make an impact.

Recognition and Reflection

Receiving the Distinguished PhD Dissertation Award Honorable Mention was both exciting and validating.

"I feel very honored," Xiang says. "I put a lot of time and effort into the application, so it means a lot to be recognized."

The award highlights not only the significance of her research but also her dedication and perseverance throughout her doctoral journey.

Shuting Xiang delivered the student address at the 2025 Doctoral Hooding and Commencement Ceremony.

Advice for Future Researchers

For current graduate students working toward their own dissertations, Xiang offers simple but powerful advice:

"Keep writing and ask questions," she says. "It may feel overwhelming at first, but if you keep working on it and seek help when you need it, you will get there."

Her journey serves as a reminder that impactful research is not only about discovery, it is also about persistence, collaboration and the ability to tell a meaningful story.