WGBI Member Spotlight Series — Colleen Clarke
Our next WGBI Member Spotlight shines on Colleen Clarke, a Graduate Research Assistant and PhD candidate in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Clemson University. Her curiosity and award-winning research are helping shape the future of energy storage.
🚀 Career Journey: From Pre-Vet to Proton Exchange Membranes
Colleen’s first introduction to sustainability came early. “In high school I was first introduced to the field of sustainable sciences, and little did I know that would eventually become a part of my career.” At the time, though, her sights were set elsewhere: “I was set on becoming a veterinarian at the time and even potentially following my dad’s footsteps by joining the army.”
She started college on the pre-veterinary track, but soon realized what really pulled her in. “I eventually realized that I was much more drawn to understanding the science behind problems than I was to memorizing large amounts of information. That led me to switch my major to chemistry.” Undergraduate research with her advisor, Dr. Sunghee Lee at Iona University, was a turning point. “It was where I discovered how much I enjoyed research and the process of asking questions and figuring out why something behaves the way it does.”
That curiosity led her to a Ph.D. in chemical engineering because, as she explains, “I wanted my work to have a more direct connection to real-world applications.” Today, advised by Dr. Eric M. Davis, she develops proton exchange membranes for all-vanadium redox flow batteries, including SPEEK–lignin composite membranes as alternatives to conventional materials. “What drew me to energy storage was the opportunity to work on a problem that involves chemistry, engineering, and material sciences while also addressing a larger challenge of how we can store renewable energy reliably, affordably, and expand the technology to energy-insecure communities.”
Her work covers the full spectrum, from membrane synthesis and characterization to neutron scattering studies and lab-scale battery testing. “The goal of my work is to understand how we can design membrane materials that provide the right balance of conductivity, selectivity, stability, and cost. While my research is focused on the materials level, I am always interested to see how the results can be translated into technologies that are useful outside of the laboratory.”
🔋 Industry Insights: Finding Her Voice
Colleen’s background across several disciplines shapes how she approaches problems. “My background spans chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, and battery research, so I often find myself looking at a problem from both a fundamental scientific perspective and an engineering perspective.”
Working in a traditionally male-dominated field has taught her an important lesson. “I’ve learned that you don’t necessarily have to be the loudest person in the room to make a meaningful contribution. Sometimes it is about asking a question, sharing an idea, or simply being willing to speak up when you have something valuable to contribute.”
That confidence took time to build. “One of the biggest challenges I’ve experienced as a woman in a technical field has been learning to be confident in my own expertise and finding my voice,” she says. “I’ve had to learn that being early in my career doesn’t mean that I don’t have something valuable to contribute.”
Her achievements show how far that confidence has taken her. Her neutron scattering proposals have won her beamtime at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the UK. There she has collaborated with beamline scientists and run experiments on one-of-a-kind instruments. She also earned a top ten poster recognition at the 2026 Polymer Physics Gordon Research Conference. “I believe these experiences have helped me become more comfortable putting myself and my research out there.”
🏆 BCI Poster Showcase & WGBI Award: Research That Reaches Beyond the Lab
Colleen has received both the BCI Battery poster award and the WGBI award for top female poster presenter. The Showcase has also connected her with industry leaders from companies such as bfs, Magnera, BioZen Batteries, and Daramic. “What I have found particularly valuable is that these connections have continued beyond the conference itself,” she notes. Those relationships have helped her see her Clemson research from a broader perspective and learn about the challenges industry is working to solve.
The WGBI award holds special significance. “Receiving the WGBI award for top female poster presenter was particularly meaningful to me because it not only recognized the research itself, but also the importance of creating opportunities for women to be visible so that they know that they do fit within this large industry, regardless of it being male dominated.” She adds, “The award was a reminder for me that the work I’m doing has value beyond my research group and that I should continue putting myself and my research out there and making the most of every opportunity that comes my way.”
The community behind the award matters just as much. “Being a part of WGBI has made me realize how valuable it is to have a community of women who are at different stages of their careers and who can support and learn from one another.”
💡 Advice: Ask Questions and Put Yourself Out There
Colleen’s advice for women entering the industry is to act before they feel fully ready. “My biggest piece of advice would be to not let the feeling that you don’t know enough, or that what you’ve done isn’t good enough, stop you from taking opportunities.” As she puts it, “You don’t have to have all the answers before you take an opportunity.”
A lesson from her advisor has stayed with her: “My advisor once told me, ‘Smart people are just dumb people who ask a lot of questions,’ and that to this day still resonates with me.”
For women considering WGBI, her message is clear. “So, I strongly encourage women considering a career in this industry to take that step and put themselves out there and for women considering joining WGBI to take advantage of the opportunities and support this community provides.”
📖 Life Beyond the Lab
Outside the lab, Colleen recharges with a full mix of interests. “I enjoy reading, cooking, spending time with my family and my dog, Twiggy, and finding time for activities like yoga and swimming.”
She also has a playful competitive streak. “I also enjoy traveling to new towns and cities when I have the opportunity to and sometimes I’ll join in on weekly trivia with my team, the Yuengling Logarithms.”
Colleen Clarke’s story shows the power of curiosity, the courage to find her voice, and a drive to turn research at the materials level into energy solutions that matter well beyond the lab.