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Head of Group

Prof. Thomas L. Sheppard joined TU Wien in Feb 2025 as Professor of Applied Solid State Chemistry.  He has a PhD in Chemistry (focus on heterogeneous catalysis) and significant experience in synchrotron radiation and X-ray analytics. Broad research interests are in the characterisation of functional materials, in situ / operando methods, X-ray microscopy, among others. For further info on research interests interests and CV, check the personal page in the sidebar.

Senior Scientists

Dr. Katherine A. Mazzio leads a subgroup focused on bridging X-ray analytics and battery research, with an emphasis on sample environment development for realizing in-situ and operando methods that capture material behavior under realistic and extreme conditions. Her research spans X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray imaging. She is particularly interested in exploring the fundamental materials chemistry that governs battery performance at the limits of rate, voltage, temperature, and environment.

Postdocs

Hello, I’m Rory, I received both my BSc and PhD from the University of Glasgow. My PhD was in heterogeneous catalysis with Professor David Lennon, and I studied kinetic and mechanistic aspects of phosgene formation over highly carbonaceous catalysts. In particular, I was very interested in understanding by-product formation (carbon tetrachloride) to reduce the environmental impact of this commercially valuable chemical process. As such, my research here at TU Wien focuses on understanding technical catalysts and chemical processes. I aim to help bridge the gap between laboratory and industrial scale processes by focusing on hands-on testing of heterogenous catalysts. My main research goal is to help develop strategies to manufacture chemicals in a more sustainable way – which I believe catalysis plays a vital role in.

Evie is a postdoctoral researcher interested in using X-ray and neutron techniques, particularly X-ray tomography, as part of a multiscale approach to materials characterisation. She completed her PhD in 2025 at the University of Warwick, where her research focused on utilising X-ray diffraction techniques to understand how subtle structural distortions govern functionality in layered perovskites across different length scales and under external stimuli.

Doctoral Candidates

Giulia is a PhD candidate focusing on characterization of supplementary cementitious materials, which play a key role in enhancing sustainability in the construction industry. Her work involves X-ray based techniques and chemometric modelling. She previously completed her BSc in Chemistry and MSc in Analytical Chemistry at "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.