Dr. Kandis Leslie Abdul-Aziz

• Faculty's background (upbringing, education)

Prof. Abdul-Aziz received her B.S. in Chemistry at Temple University in 2007 and her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

• Faculty's current role in science

Dr. Kandis Leslie Abdul-Aziz is an Assistant Professor in the Chemical and Environmental Engineering department at the University of California, Riverside.

• Faculty's experience as a woman in STEAM

Before joining UC Riverside, she was a Provost postdoctoral fellow (2017 – 2018) at the University of Pennsylvania, where she developed procedures for synthesizing heterogeneous catalysts using atomic layer deposition. She has also worked previously as a Forensic scientist for the Philadelphia police department and as a Refinery chemist at Sunoco Chemicals in Philadelphia.

• Explanation of faculty's research and overall department

Her research group develops heterogeneous catalysts using an interdisciplinary toolset from materials and chemical engineering, physical chemistry, and DFT for sustainable applications. Her recent work uses defect engineering in perovskite oxide supports for the development of bimetallic and single-atom catalysts.

• Advice for women pursuing careers in STEAM

My advice to women in STEAM is that we need you in this profession more than ever. Lean into your determination and curiosity to excel and persevere.