Undergraduate Researcher
Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Rochester
Email: skrasno2@u.rochester.edu
Education
B.S. University of Rochester, Chemical Engineering, Expected May 2027
Research Interests
Simon is an undergraduate chemical engineering major at the University of Rochester from Newburyport, Massachusetts. He chose the University of Rochester because of the opportunities for undergraduate research and the presence of the Eastman School of Music, where he has been able to continue playing oboe in his free time.
At Rochester, Simon works in the laboratory of Professor Siddharth Deshpande, where he uses density functional theory to determine stable configurations of heterogeneous metal oxide catalysts. As part of the 2026 IRES CRYSTAL Dynamics Program in Modena, he expects to continue developing his interests in computational chemistry by learning about molecular dynamics and its applications to crystal lattice structures. After graduation, Simon hopes to pursue a PhD in chemical engineering.