David Robert Needell
Profile
Alumni Zeller-Resnick First Year Fellow 2015
David graduated from Caltech with a PhD in materials science. He received his BA in physics and applied mathematics with a minor in computer science from Bowdoin College. As an undergraduate at Bowdoin, David focused his research toward novel solar cell designs including Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC's), multi-junction photovoltaics, and biohybrid solid-state solar cells. Collaborating with the Cliffel Group from Vanderbilt University, David investigated solar cells whose photoactive agent consisted of Photosystem I – a fundamental protein to the initialization of photosynthesis. At Caltech, David explored photovoltaic designs such as Silicon Microwire Solar Cells and Spectrum-Splitting Photovoltaic Modules.
David is now a Senior Associate at F-Prime Capital.
Faculty Adviser: : Harry A. Atwater