Ariel Nehonary shows his work in the lab with the USC Brutchey Group, where he synthesizes perovskite materials, typically used in solar cells. (Nick Neumann/USC Wrigley Institute)
In His Element: Ariel Nehoray ’25 fuses passions for chemistry and the environment
During his time at USC, graduating senior Ariel Nehoray found his niche in both environmental studies and inorganic chemistry, thanks to the mentorship and support he found in USC Dornsife’s Chemistry Department and the Environmental Studies (ENST) program. Through coursework tailored to his interests, as well as by balancing lab time with camping trips to the Santa Monica Mountains, Nehoray deepened his passion for the outdoors while exploring how science can intersect with sustainability.
As he graduates with a degree in environmental science and health and a minor in chemistry this spring, Nehoray reflects on an academic journey that has been shaped by curiosity and a love for the natural world–as well as how the ENST program helped him bring it all together. He also shares his research interests, his unconventional academic path, and what’s next as he looks toward the fall.
Tell us a bit about your USC journey. How did you first become interested in science?
Coming into USC as a first-generation student, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do in or after college, but I knew I liked the outdoors and working with my hands. During the pandemic, I went camping and hiking a lot. So I thought, just apply to environmental programs and figure it out from there.
When taking a chemistry class in my first year, there was an inorganic chemistry section I found myself interested in. I always also had a genuine curiosity for energy, machinery, and batteries, and so there was overlap there. A friend encouraged me to seek out research labs here at USC, and that’s when I reached out to USC faculty working in inorganic chemistry.
I met with the lab’s principal investigator [PI] to talk about his work. I really liked his approach. He simply told me, “we make materials and hope there’s a use for them in the future.” I don’t know why that really stuck with me. I was drawn to the creative approach where you’re making stuff and sure, it might not be applicable now, but it does have a specific use, and hopefully someone will figure that out in the future.
What inspired you to pursue a major in environmental science and health and then a minor in chemistry?
Kyle Crans, a graduate student in the chemistry department and my mentor in the lab, played a big role in it. In the lab, he always took the extra mile in helping me understand something and included me in whatever he was doing. I realized I loved chemistry. And then–partly because of him–I wanted to adjust my environmental science and health major to cater to more chemistry courses.
I connected with Natalie Inouye [Academic Advisor of the USC Environmental Studies (ENST)] program, and Dr. Jill Sohm [Director of USC ENST]. They worked with me to use my credits from taking chemistry classes in place of the biology classes you’d normally take to earn your degree.
From there, I was able to find a good middle ground of studying the environment and studying chemistry–I could see how the work I do with chemistry applied to the environment, and I also got the perspective of environmental ethics. For example, in the ethics class I’m taking with Professor Victoria Campbell-Árvai right now, I’m learning about the pollution mining causes, the pollution not recycling causes. There are just so many parts to one big picture that I feel like I wouldn’t have gotten with a chemistry major alone, but with ENST, I was able to get a balance of two fields that I’m interested in. It’s really unique.
Can you tell us about the research you’re involved in through the Brutchey Group at USC?
I’m working on making novel materials and studying the surface of perovskites, a subclass of materials that are used for solar cells. The goal is to better understand the material and fix defects and current issues, in hopes someone will use them and make a solar cell out of the improvements we made.
This research is important because you need materials–semiconducting materials–that absorb sunlight efficiently. I’m working with lead now, but later on I want to apply what I learn with the lead systems and transition it to a more sustainable metal.
What’s been the most exciting or surprising part of your lab research?
I love making materials. There is a novelty to this work, and it’s exciting to me. We don’t really look at the application of the material we create, it’s more like, “We made this material today. Can we make the next one tomorrow?” When I’m in the lab, it’s a lot of fun always being around and learning from my mentor, and working with my hands.
Have any USC Wrigley Institute programs, professors, or classes had a significant impact on you?
Definitely ENST 320B: Energy and Air Sustainability with Professor Victoria Petryshyn. I asked a lot of questions–I was just so curious about everything–and she always answered them. I also appreciate how supportive the ENST program, especially Natalie and Dr. Sohm, has been in letting me shape my academic path to incorporate both environmental studies and chemistry. I wouldn’t have been able to apply to graduate school if I didn’t have these chemistry courses. After graduating, I’ve committed to Penn State to do my Ph.D. in chemistry.
What advice would you give to fellow undergrad students who want to get involved in finding solutions to environmental problems?
Don’t be afraid of science. Science classes can be scary and challenging, but that’s half the fun, and you might discover overlap with all your interests. And if you’re curious about how something works, why not take a class that covers that? For me, it was like I was really curious about energy and materials, and my chemistry class helped me understand how they all work. Be curious and don’t be afraid!
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.