Dr Ievgeniia Kovalska (She/Her)

Dr. Ievgeniia Kovalska is a Lecturer in Advanced 2D Energy Materials within the Department of Engineering at the University of Exeter. She is a member of the Nano Engineering Science and Technology (NEST) Group and the UK Metamaterials Network. With over a decade of expertise in 2D and carbon materials, her work spans their synthesis, characterisation and application in advanced technologies across energy, (bio)sensing, (opto)electronics, wearables, and sustainable devices.

Dr. Kovalska obtained her PhD in Chemistry, specialising in the Physics and Chemistry of Surfaces, from the Chuiko Institute of Surface Chemistry at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Dr. Kovalska’s current research aims to revolutionise energy technology through the development and utilisation of innovative materials, prioritising sustainability. Her work addresses a spectrum of energy applications, focusing on advanced energy storage solutions, including Li-/non-Li rechargeable batteries and renewable energy devices such as triboelectric nanogenerators. She investigates a diverse range of nanomaterials – graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, pnictogens, and tetrels – as foundational components of future technologies.

Leveraging her interdisciplinary expertise in material synthesis, structural and morphological characterisation, device fabrication, and testing, Dr. Kovalska seeks to harness the hybrid potential of these materials to drive future advancements in both energy and sensing fields.

Dr. Kovalska’s achievements include over 50 high-ranking publications with more than 900 citations and an h-index of 16. Her innovative work has led to the granting of three patents and has garnered recognition from the global research community and media. Notable contributions include the development of a novel method for controlled synthesis of 2D materials, in-depth exploration of large-scale multilayer graphene for electronic nose, optoelectronics & photonics, energy storage, and harvesting technologies. She is also the sole inventor of a hydrophobic coating designed to protect stone-wall materials from moisture.

Throughout her academic career, Dr. Kovalska has been committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in STEM. She actively promotes women in science through organising and participating in events such as "Women in Smart Nanomaterials Technology," "It's Her," and "Soapbox Science Exeter." As a member of the Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Culture Committee, she firmly believes that a diverse and inclusive scientific community fosters innovation, creativity, and excellence. Dr. Kovalska is committed to continuing and expanding these efforts at the University of Exeter.