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HILLSBOROUGH: Gagliardi earns doctorate, with focus on solar fuels

   Christopher Gagliardi, a 2003 Hillsborough High School graduate, earned his doctoral degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in June.
   Christopher’s area of study is solar fuels, specifically proton-coupled electron transfer. He worked under doctors Thomas J. Meyer and H. Holden Thorp.
   Dr. Meyer is regarded as one of the pioneers of artificial photosynthesis, the inventor of the field of proton-coupled electron transfer. He is also a member of U.S. National Academy of the Arts and Sciences.
   Dr. Thorp is the chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has published prolifically in the area of bioinorganic chemistry.
   At UNC, Christopher published numerous review articles and research papers.
   Christopher will begin a post-doctorate position in January 2013 at Harvard University with Dr. Daniel G. Nocera, one of the world’s leading researchers developing solar fuels.
   In 2009 Dr. Nocera was voted as one of Time Magazine’s top 100 most influential people. His accolades include election to the U.S. National Academy of the Arts and Sciences.
   Christopher’s interest in solar energy began at Roger Williams University, where he undertook research in the lab of Dr. Cliff Timpson. In 2007, Christopher received bachelor of science degrees in biology and chemistry, graduating magna cum laude and receiving special honors.