José Ignacio Trujillo Galarza

Sustainable Energy Engineering PhD Faculty of Applied Sciences

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

I was born in Ecuador, a nation that has not yet reached the same level of technological and scientific progress as other countries. Still, it is home to many hardworking and creative people willing to make Earth a better place through science. I have a fascination with nanotechnology, which began with a bedtime story my parents read to me: George Shrinks by William Joyce. I used to dream of being an explorer of the unseen part of the world, of running along the crystalline ridges of a single grain of salt, and now I do so by wandering inside carbon nanotubes to unveil their amazing properties. This sense of exploration connects to Dr. Richard Feynman's famous phrase from 1959: “There's plenty of room at the bottom,” referring to the possibility of directly manipulating atoms and molecules. That phrase has always inspired me because science always offers something new to explore and discover. My research topic focuses on printable organic solar cells for agrivoltaics. Since the agricultural sector is one of the fundamental pillars of Ecuador’s economy, I have chosen this subject as it would represent a great opportunity to combine clean organic solar cell technology with sustainable food production. So, I grew up seeing the vital importance of agriculture and energy. My inspiration stems from bridging the gap between nanoscale material design and industrial manufacturing. Having trained in nanotechnology across Ecuador and Europe, I focus on organic solar cells because of their flexibility, light tunability, and potential for high-volume roll-to-roll production. I am highly motivated to solve critical stability and manufacturing bottlenecks so that agrivoltaic technology can be deployed commercially to address the global food-energy nexus, thus allowing farmers to diversify their profits through dual land use.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

SFU provides the ideal environment to bridge organic photophysics with real-world applications. Working alongside leading experts in emerging photovoltaics and using SEE’s cutting-edge facilities will allow me to develop my research on scalable, semi-transparent solar cells for agrivoltaics, thereby moving sustainable energy solutions from the lab to industrial production.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

Imagine a solar panel that acts like special sunglasses for plants. Standard solar panels are opaque and block all sunlight, so you can't grow crops under them. I work on making thin, flexible, and semi-transparent solar panels using special materials, including lightweight carbon-based layers and inorganic light-absorbing crystals. They let the specific light plants need for growth pass right through, while capturing the rest of the sunlight to generate electricity. This means farmers can grow their crops and generate clean energy on the same piece of land.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Emerging Solar Technologies, Perovskites, Sustainability

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

My bachelor/master’s programs, summer schools, and intensive research internships have allowed me to gain valuable hands-on experience in the synthesis, optical characterization, and device stability testing of organic functional nanomaterials and conjugated polymers. Simultaneously, my experience as an online tutor for LatinHire sharpened my ability to communicate scientific concepts clearly, foster engagement, and adapt to diverse learning styles. Presenting at international conferences, such as the European School on Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies, further developed my ability to defend some of my research outcomes before global experts. Together, these experiences bridged advanced research with practical science communication, which is essential to manage multidisciplinary research projects and leading effectively in academic environments.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

Throughout my academic path, I have been honored with major merit-based scholarships in both Ecuador and Europe. During my undergraduate studies in Nanotechnology Engineering at Yachay Tech University, I received the Academic Excellence Scholarship for maintaining top academic standing. Later, for my master's degree in Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies at Université Grenoble Alpes in France, I was awarded a competitive Master’s Scholarship supported by the university's Graduate School initiative. Receiving these awards has had a transformative impact on my career. Beyond alleviating financial burdens, they provided the freedom to dedicate myself entirely to research, present at international conferences, and gain hands-on experience in advanced nanomaterials. Ultimately, this support built the core foundation necessary to pursue my PhD at SFU focused on scalable agrivoltaic solutions.

What have been the most valuable lessons you've learned along your graduate student journey (or in becoming a graduate student)?

The most valuable lesson I've learned is that groundbreaking research requires deep technical focus, a broad perspective, and immense resilience; failure is simply a data point, not a dead end. On the other hand, I have convinced myself that my research is only as impactful as my ability to explain it. In addition, moving across different educational systems (from Ecuador to France and now Canada) has taught me to quickly adapt to new research cultures, navigate confidentiality boundaries, and build collaborative networks in diverse, international settings. Finally, I would like to highlight a phrase Professor Bawendi shared during a meeting with graduate students: "Science relies on discoveries and asking questions. You don’t need to be the smartest person, but staying curious and ethical are the most important qualities of a scientist. You will fill your knowledge gaps during the process." Moungi’s philosophy is a powerful reminder that curiosity is the ultimate engine for discovery.

Contact José:tit@sfu.ca

Additional Links

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