Edge on Science Instructor and Scientist Combines Chemistry, Sustainability, and Teaching

This past summer, Edge on Science campers got to explore STEM in our Super Science Sampler with Dr. Elisa Guzmán, a recent 2025 PhD graduate in chemistry at Tufts University. Beyond the classroom, Elisa has been hard at work in the lab, studying how to design smarter materials, research that could one day improve renewable energy and light-based technologies.

At the heart of her research is a deceptively simple question: how can we make materials that use light more efficiently? Elisa works with organic materials (carbon-based structures that can absorb and release light). These materials are the same kinds used in solar panels, LED screens, and sensors. But these materials don’t always behave efficiently. When light hits them, some energy is lost as the molecules twist or rearrange.

To explain, Elisa uses a metaphor: imagine molecules as little magnets. If they’re linked tightly together, they stay aligned, and energy can flow smoothly. If they’re on their own, they twist and rotate more, which wastes energy. Her work looks at how small tweaks in molecular design can keep these “mini magnets” better aligned, leading to brighter and more efficient materials.

In a recent publication, Elisa and her team showed that even subtle changes in molecular shape can completely alter how crystals form and how well they use light (Guzmán et al., 2024). Some shapes encourage neat, layered “stacks” that conserve energy, while others lead to bent or twisted stacks that waste it. This kind of fundamental chemistry provides the foundation for future technologies in clean energy and electronics.

“I think of [research] like building a pyramid,” Elisa says. “My work is at the foundation, understanding how the smallest changes in chemistry affect light. Without that foundation, we can’t build better devices at the top.”

Getting Started in Chemistry

Elisa’s interest in chemistry began in high school where an enthusiastic teacher inspired her to see chemistry as a possible career path. She continued with chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she conducted research as an undergraduate before eventually returning to school to get her doctorate.

For Elisa, what makes chemistry exciting is that it’s both creative and hands-on. “If you choose the right path, you can blow things up safely,” she says. But she also emphasizes the importance of patience and persistence: “In order to have a big, grand idea, you need to start small, and then you can slowly build upon that.” It’s a reminder to students that big discoveries in science come from small, steady steps and strong foundations.

Inspiring the Next Generation

When asked what advice she has for parents, Elisa keeps it simple: pay attention to what excites your kids, and nurture it. “Activities where children get to build or experiment spark confidence and ownership,” she explains. “When kids see something they created, a rocket, a bridge, or even secret ink writing, it gives them pride and curiosity you can’t get from worksheets.” Her message for students is equally powerful: “Find a passion and follow it. If you find a passion and follow it and make a career out of it, you’ll have fun every day.”

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