Profile
Jesse L. Peltier is a Ph.D. candidate in inorganic chemistry at the University of California, San Diego. His research focuses on leveraging strongly ambiphilic carbenes to shift current technologies from expensive metals (e.g., iridium, palladium, and platinum) to readily available and cost-effective copper. This approach has led to a multitude of breakthroughs in Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) and nanoclusters. He has received numerous awards and fellowships including the Lighting the Pathway to Faculty Careers for Natives in STEM scholarship, Tribal Membership Initiative Fellowship, Sequoyah Fellowship, and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Before UCSD, Jesse received a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College with a double major in Chemistry and Native American Studies where he was a recipient of the American Institute of Chemists Foundation Student Award, and Daniel Simon Prize in Native American Studies. During his scholarly pursuits, Jesse has found the convergence of research and service to be his mechanism for reciprocity to his tribe, ancestors, and Indian Country. He is passionate about mentoring, and at UCSD, he has served as a graduate student mentor for the Summer Training Academy for Research Success (STARS). Furthermore, he is one of the founding members and current Chair of the American Indian Graduate Student Association (AIGSA) on campus. Jesse aspires to become a faculty member at an academic institution where he will conduct research that explores the intersection of fundamental and materials chemistry to significantly advance green energy alternatives, while also continuing to mentor and empower underrepresented students in STEM.
