National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2022, Zahra Khademmodaresi, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy

Postdoc Profile: Zahra Khademmodaresi

National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) celebrates the significant contributions postdocs make to research and discovery, both university and nationwide. This Postdoc Profile is a part of a series to commemorate NPAW which takes place from September 15 to 23, 2022. 


Q: What is your name?

Zahra Khademmodaresi

Q: Where are you from?

Shiraz, Fars, Iran

Q: Where do you work at ASU?

School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy

Q: Where did you earn your doctorate?

PhD, Chemical Engineering, Shiraz University, Iran

Q: What does your research focus on?

My research project is on electrocatalytic activation and cycling of moisture-swing direct air capture materials. A novelty of this approach is achieving reactive separations of CO2 from the air via mechanisms involving the transfer of chemical potential energy to regenerate CO2 capture sites using a combination of water hydration and electrochemical potentials for catalytically reducing CO2.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I enjoy hanging out in groups, at home, at university, in the gym, and more. My favorite hobby is cooking.

Q: What are your career goals? 

Working toward professional development.

More stories from the Graduate Insider

Witches worldwide, literature and mental health: A conversation with Ana Silvia Cervantes Figueroa

Dr. Ana Silvia Cervantes Figueroa, a Crossing Latinidades Mellon Fellow and ASU alumna, explores feminist reimaginings of the witch archetype in Hispanic literature—connecting Latin American and U.S. narratives through themes of identity, heritage, and mental health awareness in academia.

What it means to be unstoppable

This month’s bold word is “unstoppable” — a reflection on persistence, adaptability and the courage to keep moving forward. Dean Wentz explores how empathy and determination work together to help us adapt today to shape tomorrow, with insights from ASU faculty and a preview of the upcoming Distinguished Lecture featuring Anthony Robles.

Funding your future: How the Boren Awards support language and service abroad

Funded by the National Security Education Program, the Boren Awards provide up to $25,000 for undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in regions critical to U.S. engagement abroad, such as Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.