9.David Weston BURKESenior Postdoctoral Researcher
(Sato Group)

WPI-SKCM², Hiroshima University, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor

davburke_at_hiroshima-u.ac.jp

David W. Burke received his PhD from Northwestern University in 2022, where he studied structurally precise two-dimensional polymers under the supervision of Prof. William Dichtel. Upon graduating, David joined Prof. Shuhei Furukawa’s research group at Kyoto University’s WPI-iCeMS as a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow, where he developed new photopolymerization chemistry for porous gels based on metal-organic polyhedra. In 2024, David transitioned into his current position as a specially appointed assistant professor in Prof. Hiroshi Sato’s laboratory at Hiroshima University’s WPI-SKCM2, where he is actively developing stimuli-responsive porous materials to address contemporary challenges in environmental sustainability.

Mentor ：Hiroshi Sato
Co-Mentor ：Akio Kimura
Co-Mentor ：Elisabetta Matsumoto　

What I like about my science
Several of humanity’s most pressing environmental challenges, such as greenhouse gas-driven climate change, stem from the presence of problematic molecules in places where they are unwanted. Designed nanoscale cavities offer a potential solution in that they can sequester these unwanted molecules or transform them into useful feedstocks. The Earth is our most precious resource, and knowing that my work might contribute to a more sustainable future motivates me to work hard and continuously develop my science.

David's Google Scholar