Postdoctoral Scholar Dr. Alexandra Barth selected for 2025 CAS Future Leaders Program

The CAS Future Leaders program was launched in 2010 by CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society, to fill an identified gap in leadership training for scientists. Now boasting over 360 alumni from top organizations, the program provides an opportunity for early-career scientists to enhance their leadership skills, engage in scientific discourse, and connect with peer scientists and innovators from around the world.

Postdoctoral Scholar Alexandra Barth will join a group of exceptional Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars from around the world to take the next steps in their science leadership journey this summer. Her outstanding qualifications distinguished her as one of 35 selectees from a pool of over 1,000 applicants from around the world. You can view the official press release here and a complete list of scholars.

One rewarding experience from this year has been being selected for the 2025 American Chemical Society (ACS) CAS Future Leaders program. I’m excited to meet other exceptionally talented and enthusiastic scholars in Chemistry and learn different ways to incorporate these leadership principles in my career as a future faculty member. – Dr. Alexandra Barth

Take a moment and learn more about Dr. Alexandra Barth.

Tell us what led you to NC State.
I completed my B.S. in Chemistry at Florida State University and my Ph.D. in Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. I began my position as a postdoctoral scholar at NC State in 2022, working with Professor Felix (Phil) Castellano on the time-resolved spectroscopy of molecular photocatalysts.

I chose to attend NC State for my postdoc due to the exemplary research accomplishments and instrumental support provided by my advisor, our laser director, Dr. Evgeny Danilov, and the rest of the Castellano group. Our research group has a national reputation due to our exemplary research, collegiality, and collaborations. NC State has been an exceptional environment for my development, enabled by the university’s professional programs and tight-knit community. This has been a brilliant environment for me to grow as a scientist.

What is a postdoctoral scholar?
It means I’ve already completed graduate school and earned my Ph.D. Now I’m working in what is comparable to an apprenticeship, where I learn how to better mentor students, complete some research of my own, and also learn everything it takes to run my own research lab someday.

Tell us about your research.
We use optical tools to understand the fundamental properties of molecules that drive chemical reactions with light. I was recruited by Prof. Castellano due to my prior expertise in this area and experience working with time-resolved laser systems. In graduate school, I received awards for teaching excellence and student mentoring. I have taught several guest lectures at NC State at the undergraduate and graduate level – Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II, General Chemistry II, and Photochemistry and Photophysics.

How has the Graduate School helped you with your professional development?
I have participated in two professional development programs at NC State University – the Building Future Faculty (BFF) 2024 program through the NCSU Office of Equity and Diversity and the PREPP program (Postdoctoral Readiness to Enter the Professorship Program) through the Graduate School. These resources have both been invaluable in providing peer support and professional guidance for researchers who aspire to have faculty careers. I have continued to use the network and resources from the BFF program in preparing my faculty applications and for job interviews.

What advice do you have for new or current graduate students?
Graduate school and research are often unpredictable, bringing both highs and lows. Each time there is a challenging day, it’s important to remember that there’s another exciting day right around the corner.

What’s a fun fact about Alexandra?
I have only lived in Florida and California, so this past winter was the first time I have lived somewhere with snow.

Learn more about the Castellano Research Group