Employee Spotlight: Ababo Gudisa charges ahead with innovative battery research

Meet Ababo Gudisa, a Technical Officer in the NRC Nanotechnology Research Centre’s Nanomaterial Depositions and Characterizations team. She uses her education in chemical and materials engineering to innovate battery technology for a more sustainable future.

Ababo didn’t always dream of engineering. She debated whether her future lied in medical school or in the arts. However, in high school she realized that engineering brought together her passion for problem-solving and innovation, but also allowed her to contribute meaningfully to the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving world.

She studied chemical engineering at Bahirdar University in Ethiopia. She received her master’s degree in materials engineering at the University of Trento in Italy.? While completing her master’s thesis, she discovered her interest in the field of battery research.

“My research in the battery field aligns my interest in cutting-edge technology with real-world applications and my desire to create a more sustainable future,” she explains. “Batteries play a crucial role in various sectors, from powering electric vehicles to storing renewable energy.”

The other reason she loves battery research is the interdisciplinary nature of the field. This is one reason Ababo was interested in working at the NRC.?

“Working with such a talented and supportive group has not only made the professional aspects of my role more fulfilling, but has also enriched my overall experience at the NRC. The team’s commitment to excellence and camaraderie reflects the kind of positive and dynamic workplace that fosters innovation and success,” she says.

Ababo focuses on understanding how battery components, such as solid-state electrolytes, separators and electrode materials, respond to mechanical pressure as a function of temperature and time. This work is important to understand and improve component and battery performance over the short and long term.

It wasn’t just collegiality that excited Ababo about conducting research at the NRC. She was also enticed by the innovative projects underway and the state-of-the-art labs and equipment. She was most impressed with the Thermal Mechanical Characterization facility and the Microfabrication facility.

“I could see the impact of my role within the NRC,” she explains. “The best part of my job is the moment we discover something new or find a solution to a challenging problem. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our work has the potential to make a real difference in how we use and store energy, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.”

To learn more about Ababo Gudisa and the contributions of many of the talented people that make up the NRC, visit our NRC stories webpage.