Principal Investigator

Dr. Benjamin (Ben) Paren is an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Stevens Institute of Technology. Paren’s research seeks solutions to challenges in electrochemical energy storage and conversion through the design and characterization of new polymer electrolytes, in particular correlating nanoscale structure and dynamics with bulk properties. A focus is on electrolytes for battery and fuel cell technologies that utilize resource-abundant or low-cost materials.

Prior to joining Stevens in Fall 2023, Paren received his B.S. and M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, with a double major in Engineering and Public Policy. He received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, working with Professor Karen I. Winey, and completed a postdoctoral appointment with Professor Yang Shao-Horn in the Research Laboratory of Electronics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Paren has been a finalist for awards recognizing excellence in polymer research, including the APS Frank J. Padden Award and the ACS DSM Bright Science Award.

Outside of work, Dr. Paren enjoys playing board games, exploring new cities, and trying out new coffee and ice cream shops. He is also a big fan of American Football, so on most Sundays in the Fall he will be cheering for his favorite team, the Baltimore Ravens!