curriculum vitae
Education
Ph.D.
M.S.
B.S.
Doctor of Philosophy in
Chemistry & Chemical Biology
Master of Science in Chemistry
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Minor in Graphic Design
Cornell University
Yale University
St. John's University
Work Experience
Graduate research assistant
Yale University & Cornell University
November 2020 — May 2026
Supervisor: Dr. Judy Cha, Dept. of Material Science & Engineering, Cornell University &
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering & Material Science, Yale University
Laboratory safety representative
Yale University & Cornell University
February 2019 – May 2026
Teaching assistant, general chemistry II
Yale University
January 2021 – May 2021
Teaching assistant, Organic chemistry I
Yale University
August 2020 – December 2020
UnderGraduate research assistant
St. John's University
January 2018 – May 2020
Supervisor: Dr. Philip Lukeman, Dept. of Chemistry
Peer Leader/Instructor for General chemistry
St. John's University
September 2019 – May 2020
Sales associate
Aerie by American Eagle
June 2019 — August 2019
Publications
10. Reversible Superdense Ordering of Tetragonal Lithium in a Layered Material, N. L. Williams, S. D. Funni, S. Lee, D. Niedzielski, M. Fang, J. Leeman, R. Singha, S. Siddique, T. Hendee, S. Xu, J. Kaaret, G. Sartorello, N. A. Benedek, L. M. Schoop, L. A. Archer, T. A. Arias, J. J. Cha, in review at Nature.
9. Strain-induced deterministic moiré superlattices in 2D materials, Y.-M. Wu, S. Lee, Y. Xi, S. D. Funni, S. Siddique, N. L. Williams, G. Sartorello, H. Askari, J. J. Cha, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 123 (22) e2602234123 (2026)
8. Thin ferroelectric materials for memory devices, N. L. Williams, S. Lee, Y.-M. Wu, S. D. Funni, J. J. Cha, 2D Materials 12, 043005 (2025)
7. Lithiation in 2H-MoTe2 nanoflakes, S. Xu, N. L. Williams, S. Lee, J. J. Huang, S. Siddique, A. Singer, J. J. Cha, Chemistry of Materials 36, 10125-10132 (2024)
6. Realignment and suppression of charge density waves in rare-earth tritellurides RTe3 (R=La, Gd, Er), S. Siddique, J. L. Hart, D. Niedzielski, R. Singha, M.-G. Han, S. D. Funni, M. Colletta, M. T. Kiani, N. Schnitzer, N. L. Williams, L. F. Kourkoutis, Y. Zhu, L. M. Schoop, T. Arias, J. J. Cha, Phys. Rev. B 110, 014111 (2024)
5. Lithiation induced novel phases in 1T’-MoTe2 nanoflakes, S. Xu, K. Evans-Lutterodt, S. Li, N. L. Williams, B. Hou, J. J. Huang, M. Boebinger, S. Lee, M. Wang, A. Singer, P. Guo, D. Qiu, J. J. Cha, ACS Nano 18, p.17349-17358 (2024)
4. Role of heterointerface in lithium-induced phase transition in Td-WTe2 nanoflakes, S. Xu, M. Wang, M. Bambrick-Santoyo, K. Evans-Lutterodt, N. L. Williams, J. J. Cha, ACS Applied Electronic Materials 6, p.785-792 (2024)
3. Compact super electron-donor to monolayer MoS2, S. N. Reed-Lingenfelter, Y. Chen, M. Yarali, D. J. Charboneau, J. B. Curley, D. J. Hynek, M. Wang, N. L. Williams, N. Hazari, S. Y. Quek, J. J. Cha, Nano Lett. 22, p.4501-4508 (2022)
2. Surface functionalization for magnetic property tuning of non-magnetic 2D materials, S. N. Reed, M. Wang, N. L. Williams, J. J. Cha, Advanced Materials Interfaces 9, 2100463 (2021)
1. An electrochemical biosensor exploiting binding-induced changes in electron transfer of electrode-attached DNA origami to detect hundred nanometer-scale targets, N. Arroyo-Currás, M. Sadeia, A. K. Ng, Y. Fyodorova, N. Williams, T. Afif, C. Huang, N. Ogden, R. C. A. Eguiluz, H. Su, C. E. Castro, K. W. Plaxco, P. S. Lukeman, Nanoscale, 12(26): 13907-13911 (2020).
SKILLS
Teaching & Mentorship
Undergraduate chemistry instruction, one-on-one student support, small-group facilitation, research mentorship, fostering inclusive learning environments, and public speaking.
Data Analysis & Visualization
Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office Suite,
Python, AutoCAD, OriginPro, GraphPad prism, Gwyddion, Image J
SCience communication
Translating complex scientific ideas into clear visuals, narratives, presentations, figures, educational materials, and audience-centered communication.
electronic & structural Characterization
Raman spectroscopy, SEM, AFM, XPS, XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, I–V characterization, PPMS, four-point probe measurements.
Interpersonal skills
High emotional intelligence, active listening, clear communication, team leadership, conflict navigation, and cross-functional collaboration.
2D materials Processing & device fabrication
CAD-based lithography, metal evaporation, layered material exfoliation and transfer, chemical vapor deposition, wet chemistry, electrochemical intercalation, and surface functionalization.
Honors & Awards
Cornell University's FOunder's Dissertation Fellowship
November 2025
Best poster award at 2024 New York State Nanotechnology Symposium
September 2024
St. John’s University Distinguished Alumni in Chemistry
October 2022
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
May 2022
St. John’s University Chemistry Department’s Gold Key for Academic Excellence
June 2020
Société de Chimie Industrielle ACS Scholar
October 2019
Army research office undergraduate Apprenticeship
June 2018
St. John's University STEM Scholars Program
August 2017
volunteer experiences
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Application review
Fellowship Reviewer
October 2022 – October 2024
Expanding Your Horizons– Cornell
Event Volunteer
April 2023
National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) – Yale Chapter
Vice President, founding member of Yale’s Chapter
August 2021 – May 2022
Yale Mentorship for Minority Students in STEM Mentor Mentor
May 2021 – May 2022
presentations
2025 Nanomaterials for Applications in Energy Technology Gordon Research Conference & Seminar
February 2025
Mapping Phase Changes during Lithiation in 2D Materials with In-Situ STEM and In-Situ EELS
Natalie L. Williams, Sihun Lee, Stephen D. Funni, Saif Siddique, Shiyu Xu, Ratnadwip Singha, Leslie M. Schoop,
Judy J. Cha
2024 New York State Nanotechnology Network Symposium
September 2024
Tuning Charge Density Wave States in Lanthanum Tritelluride through Lithium Intercalation
Natalie L. Williams, Shiyu Xu, Saif Siddique, Ratnadwip Singha, Leslie M. Schoop, Judy J. Cha
2023 Material Research Society Fall Meeting & Exhibit
November 2023
Manipulating Charge Density Wave States in Lanthanum Tritelluride through Lithium Intercalation
Natalie L. Williams, Shiyu Xu, Saif Siddique, Ratnadwip Singha, Leslie M. Schoop, Judy J. Cha
2023 Cornell Nanoscale Facility Annual Meeting
September 2023
Tuning CDW States in Lanthanum Tritelluride bt Lithium Intercalation
Natalie L. Williams, Shiyu Xu, Saif Siddique, Ratnadwip Singha, Leslie M. Schoop, Judy J. Cha
Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides 2023
June 2023
Tuning CDW States in Lanthanum Tritelluride bt Lithium Intercalation
Natalie L. Williams, Shiyu Xu, Saif Siddique, Ratnadwip Singha, Leslie M. Schoop, Judy J. Cha
Annual yale Bouchet Conference on Diversity and graduate Education
April 2022
Surface Functionalized Two-Dimensional Materials with Photo-excitable Organic Molecules
Natalie L. Williams