Robert Berger , PhD

Professor

Research Interests

My research group uses computation to understand and tune the relationships between the atomic structure and electronic properties of inorganic solids. Using a variety of first-principles and semi-empirical computational techniques, and viewing results through the lens of chemical intuition, we aim to design and optimize novel materials for energy applications. Currently, our primary interests are in perovskite photovoltaics and solar photocatalysts.

Educational & Professional Experience

  • B.A., Princeton University, 2005
  • Ph.D., Cornell University, 2009
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2009 - 2013

Selected Awards & Honors

  • Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, 2024
  • Peter J. Elich Excellence in Teaching Award, 2024
  • Cottrell Scholar Award, 2017

Recent Publications

WWU undergraduate student*, WWU master's student†

  • Berger, R.F.; Amacher, J.F. "Implementation of professional development initiatives in chemistry at a regional public university". In ACS Symposium Series: Professional Mentoring Programs for Science Students (2024), eds. A.R. Urbach and P.J. Beuning, 83-97. (Abstract)
  • Urbach, A.R.; Berger, R.F.; Beuning, P.J.; Nevidomskyy, A.H. "COMPASS: Career and Occupational Mentoring for the Professional Advancement of Science Students". In ACS Symposium Series: Professional Mentoring Programs for Science Students (2024), eds. A.R. Urbach and P.J. Beuning, 1-11. (Abstract)
  • Clover, A.W.†; Jones, A.P.*; Berger, R.F.; Kaminsky, W.; O'Neil, G.W. "Regioselective fluorohydrin synthesis from allylsilanes and evidence for a silicon-fluorine gauche effect". J. Org. Chem. (2024), 89, 4309-4318. (Full text)
  • Baiz, C.R.; Berger, R.F.; Donald, K.J.; de Paula, J.C.; Fried, S.D.; Rubenstein, B.; Stokes, G.Y.; Takematsu, K.; Londergan, C. "Lowering Activation Barriers to Success in Physical Chemistry (LABSIP): A community project". J. Phys. Chem. A (2023), 128, 3-9. (Full text)
  • Anunobi, M.O.*; Berger, R.F. "Energetic stability and band-edge orbitals of layered inorganic perovskite compounds for solar energy applications". J. Phys. Chem. C (2023), 127, 20217-20225. (Full text)
  • Berger, R.F. "Electronic structure of oxide and halide perovskites". In Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry III (2023), eds. J. Reedijk and K. Poeppelmeier, vol. 3, 4-25. (Abstract)
  • Teply, C.†; Tyler, B.A.†; Berger, R.F. "Tuning the band gaps of oxide and halide perovskite compounds via biaxial strain in all directions". J. Phys. Chem. C (2021), 125, 25951-25958. (Abstract)
  • Cirlincione, D.V.*; Berger, R.F. "Tuning the electronic structure of d0 perovskite oxides by combining distortive modes". Phys. Rev. B (2021), 103, 045127. (Abstract)
  • Steele, J.A.; Jin, H.; Dovgaliuk, I.; Berger, R.F.; Braeckevelt, T.; Yuan, H.; Martin, C.; Solano, E.; Lejaeghere, K.; Rogge, S.M.J.; Notebaert, C.; Vandezande, W.; Janssen, K.P.F.; Goderis, B.; Debroye, E.; Wang, Y.-K.; Dong, Y.; Ma, D.; Saidaminov, M.; Tan, H.; Lu, Z.; Dyadkin, V.; Chernyshov, D.; Van Speybroeck, V.; Sargent, E.H.; Hofkens, J.; Roeffaers, M.B.J. "Thermal unequilibrium of strained black CsPbI3 thin films". Science (2019), 365, 679-684. (Abstract)
  • McClarin, G.R.*; Berger, R.F. "Confluence of structural distortion and A-site composition in the band gaps of perovskite niobate and tantalate photocatalysts". Phys. Rev. B (2019), 100, 045202. (Abstract)