YCN representative - USA

Michael Thuis

YCN representative from the American Ceramic Society

Northwestern University

michaelthuis2026@u.northwestern.edu  

Michael is a Materials Science and Engineering Ph.D. student at Northwestern University in the Haile group and is a first-generation student. As a GEM fellow, his research focuses on the high-throughput characterization of sodium ion conductors for next generation batteries. Overall, his prior research work surrounds the 21st century energy transition, with prior work experience in photovoltaic (PV) reliability and building efficiency at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and solid-state lithium-ion electrolytes at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This comes with a particular focus on public policy, involving a policy internship with the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technology Office (BTO) and direct action with Northwestern’s Climate Technology Group (CTG) and Science Policy and Outreach Taskforce (SPOT).

Outside of research and Northwestern, Michael is heavily involved with the American Ceramic Society (ACerS) President’s Council of Student Advisors (PCSA) where he serves as the External Partnership Committee (EPC) Chair. He has also been heavily involved with building entrepreneurship and innovation (E&I) initiatives including serving as a Stanford d.school University Innovation Fellow (UIF) and helping run 9 innovation conferences/competitions (among other initiatives).