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Danielle Salvatore

$39,405.00 (raised so far)

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About Danielle Salvatore

Dr. Danielle Aline Salvatore completed both a Master of Applied Science and a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of British Columbia. Danielle became internationally-known as a graduate student for her pioneering work in CO2 conversion when she invented a reactor capable of coupling the two distinct steps of CO2 capture and CO2 conversion for the very first time. Danielle’s discovery was featured in The Globe and Mail and launched an entirely new field now known as “reactive carbon capture”. Since her graduation, this field has attracted significant investments from the Canadian and US governments, and is currently viewed by many to be the most cost-effective way of converting CO2 from the atmosphere into fuel. Danielle’s reactive carbon reactor is now being commercialized by a start-up company based in Boston.

When Danielle graduated in 2020, she was offered an NSF Presidential Management Fellowship to join the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory. She was recruited to help launch a massive program to scale CO2 reactors and was set to depart for the position in March 2020, but she was unable to cross the border due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Danielle instead joined the founding team of Miru to commercialize energy-efficient windows. As VP Technology, Danielle built a team that is innovating windows to make buildings run more efficiently. Danielle was recently recognized with a 2024 Clean50 Emerging Leader Award for her work decarbonizing the built environment.

The impact of your support

Donations to the Danielle Salvatore Memorial Fund will celebrate Danielle’s passion for research and immense contributions to clean energy technologies. Your gift will pay tribute to Danielle’s incredible life by supporting graduate students at UBC. Final decisions will be made in consultation with Danielle’s family.

Messages of Remembrance

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  • We are the Electrobuffs research group at NREL and CU Boulder, led by Professor Wilson Smith. Danielle was recruited to join our research group to continue her highly impactful PhD research on scale-up and deployment of CO2 reduction electrolyzers. While the COVID-19 pandemic prevented Danielle from being able to conduct her exciting work with us, she was a virtual part of our group from 2020 – 2021. During her time with us, Danielle contributed to our weekly group meetings and soon became a friend to all. Danielle is particularly remembered in our group for her clear and highly informative presentations on bipolar membranes and transport in electrochemical devices that many group members still reference today. Additionally, we are grateful to Danielle for consistently providing insightful and informative feedback on PhD student research updates during our meetings. This was particularly notable as most group members at the time were 1st and 2nd year PhD students, so her mentorship and advice was indispensable during such a tumultuous year. Aside from her academic and intellectual talents, of which there were many, Danielle was a funny and kind person. She demonstrated compassionate leadership and mentorship, and we really enjoyed having her in our group. We are so grateful for the time we had with her.

    Electrobuffs Research Group

  • Danielle was an extremely talented individual who accomplished a lot during her time here - Our thoughts are with Danielle's family and friends - Kind regards, Bernie & Sherry

    Bernie and Sherry

  • Our daughter, Marley, was blessed to have been a roommate of Danielle's at McGill for 3 years. We are honoured to make a donation to this scholarship that will keep a spotlight on the amazing contribution that she made at such a young age. The fact that we did not know of Danielle's tremendous accomplishments is a reflection of her incredible modesty.

    Kary and Steven Tratner

  • Dani, you were brilliant, athletic, creative & passionate! May your achievements inspire future young minds to reach for the stars. It was a privilege to watch you grow into a remarkable young woman. You will truly be missed….. xoxo

    The Bozzo-Placenis-Shoon Family, Family friends

  • I miss my baby so much. So many memories. Danielle was beautiful inside and out. Humble and giving she loved life and loved others. Please keep her fire and spark alive. This brilliant woman cared and wanted to create a better world for all of you. Love you forever my angel.

    Dianne Soucy, Mom

Photos of Remembrance

List of Donors
All Donors

  • Chris Cowper-Smith

  • Rachel Glover

  • Anonymous Donation

  • Anonymous Donation

  • Patrick Sarver

  • Keith Burrows

  • Thomas E. Mallouk

  • David Weekes

  • Anonymous Donation

  • VanCityFC

  • Anonymous Donation

  • Electrobuffs Research Group

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