Scott Calabrese Barton of Michigan State University has joined a renowned group of 12 experts in the U.S. and abroad as a Fellow in The Electrochemical Society (ECS).
A professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (ChEMS), he was selected in recognition of his technological and service contributions to the society.
Calabrese Barton’s research focuses on the interactions between reactions and transport in high-surface area electrodes, with particular emphasis on redox biocatalysts and transition metals.
“I am honored to be recognized by ECS, which has been my scientific home throughout my career,” Calabrese Barton said. “ECS brings together the brightest minds in electrochemcal and solid state science in a supportive and vibrant community.
“I am proud to represent MSU with this award, which reflects the outstanding environment for electrochemical, biological, and energy research that exists across our campus,” he added.
University Distinguished Professor and ChEMS Chairperson Christina Chan said Calabrese Barton’s well-deserved election to Fellow of the Electrochemical Society is yet more recognition of his scientific and engineering achievements.
“His broad-ranging research, including biological fuel cell design and optimization of new catalysts, contributes to MSU's strong program in energy generation and storage,” she added.
His research group combines experimental and computational approaches to discover and optimize new catalysts while advancing fundamental understanding of their activity limits. Research areas include biological fuel cell design, transition metal catalysis for oxygen reduction, and multiscale modeling of electrostatic channeling in enzyme cascades.
Calabrese Barton has published over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and co-authored more than 70 ECS conference presentations. An ECS member since 1995 and life member since 2019, he guest-edited two Journal of The Electrochemical Society focus issues, served as past chair of the Energy Technology Division, completed multiple terms on three society-level committees, and currently chairs the education committee.
His academic journey includes a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Columbia University. Calabrese Barton joined Michigan State in 2006.
The 2025 ECS Fellows include experts from British Columbia, France, Ireland, Japan, Slovenia, Taiwan, and the U.S. Induction of the newest ECS Fellows will be Oct. 13, 2025, at the 248th ECS Meeting in Chicago.
Written by Patricia Mroczek
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page