EISLER LAB

Assistant Professor || Department of Chemical Engineering, UCLA

Carissa is an Assistant Professor in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department at UCLA. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UCLA, and her M.S. and Ph.D. with Harry Atwater from Caltech. Before coming to UCLA, she was a postdoctoral scholar with Paul Alivisatos at UC Berkeley. Eisler was a recipient of the Everhart Distinguished Graduate Student Lecturer Award (2015) and the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Postdoctoral Fellowship (2016-2018).

At the intersection of photonics and chemistry, Dr. Eisler’s research integrates optical design, materials chemistry, and transport phenomena to understand the complex propagation of light and energy through nanostructured materials.  She is passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers who will address the interdisciplinary challenges of global energy usage and production. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, print-making, and obsessing over her two cats, Jujubee and Louise.

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Contact Email: ceisler<at>ucla<dot>edu

PhD Candidate ||  Department of Chemical Engineering || Joined September 2021

Mounika is a fifth-year PhD candidate interested in researching semiconducting nano-materials and understanding the surface chemistry and interactions between the layers for better photovoltaic devices. In her free time she likes to read fiction novels, go hiking and learn new sports (tennis).

PhD Student|| Department of Chemical Engineering || Joined September 2023

Sasha is a third-year PhD student studying angular light emission of single perovskite nanocrystals. She earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UCLA in 2023, and in her free time she enjoys crocheting, cooking new dishes, and watching sci-fi films! 

PhD Candidate ||  Department of Chemical Engineering || Joined August 2021

Danny is a fifth-year PhD candidate studying solution-processed fabrication of photon-trapping environments designed to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2021 with a BSE in Chemical Engineering. Outside of lab, he enjoys staying active and exploring Los Angeles.

PhD Candidate|| Department of Chemical Engineering || Joined June 2022

Brendan is a fifth-year PhD student researching nanophotonic interactions for high-efficiency infrared photonic device applications. He earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UCLA in 2021, and enjoys rock climbing, reading, and hiking in Malibu.

Google Scholar ORCiD

Undergraduate Student || Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering || Joined October 2023

My name is Hannah Elenteny and I am a third-year undergraduate student studying Chemical Engineering. I am interested in renewable energy and am currently working on a nanoparticle visualization project using a custom laser microscope setup. In my free time, I enjoy running, rock climbing, and reading. 

Undergraduate Student || Department of Materials Science and Engineering || Joined June 2024

My name is Lauren Darzynkiewicz and I am a third-year undergraduate student studying Materials Science and Engineering. I am interested in sustainable materials and renewable energy, and am currently working on a project modeling high-efficiency solar concentrators through multicolored nanoparticle synthesis. In my free time, I enjoy yoga, reading, and attempting to try every bagel in Los Angeles.

Masters || Department of Materials Science || Graduated June 2021

Education:

• B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University (2015-2019)

• M.S, Materials Science and Engineering, UCLA (2019-2021)

Ph.D. || Department of Chemical Engineering || Graduated September 2025

Education:

• B.S., Chemical Engineering, Auburn University (2020)

• Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, UCLA (2020-2025)

Masters || Department of Chemical Engineering || Graduated September 2025

Education:

• B.S., Chemistry, Chapman University (2023)

• M.S., Chemical Engineering, UCLA (2023-2025)