Dr. Juanita Hidalgo, PhD MSE ’23, has been honored with the prestigious MIT Postdoctoral Fellowship for Engineering Excellence, joining 13 other fellows in the 2023-2025 program. Dr. Hidalgo pursued a PhD degree in the group of Prof. Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena working on unraveling degradation mechanisms in metal halide perovskites. Dr. Hidalgo was awarded this distinguished postdoctoral fellowship in the School of Material Science and Engineering, at MIT (ranked #1 MSE program in the nation), recognized for her outstanding contributions of sustainable energy through her research on materials for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications.

During her doctoral studies at Georgia Tech, Dr. Hidalgo focused on hybrid halide perovskite thin films, a key area for advancing solar cell technology. Her expertise in utilizing various in-situ X-ray scattering techniques to analyze the structure of lead halide perovskites has provided insights into enhancing the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. This work has the potential to impact the trajectory of commercializing this emerging solar energy technology. Her work was recently published in prestigious journals.

As a postdoctoral researcher, Hidalgo plans to extend her knowledge and skills to explore electrochemical materials and interface systems that are crucial for sustainable energy applications. Her commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in renewable energy aligns perfectly with MIT's mission to foster innovation and leadership in engineering.

The MIT Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for Engineering Excellence was established in 2021 to cultivate a diverse and inclusive community of postdoctoral scholars while providing them with ample resources for professional development. Hidalgo's selection for this esteemed program not only underscores her academic excellence but also her potential to emerge as a future leader in engineering.

Through her achievements, Hidalgo inspires future engineers, particularly those from underrepresented groups, and her work promises brighter, greener energy solutions.