HQP Highlight Series: Jordan Bentley

Welcome to the HQP Highlight Series: a series of interviews designed to highlight the innovative research and diverse experiences of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) across the Carbon to Metal Coating Institute (C2MCI) network.

Today, we welcome Dr. Jordan Bentley, a Postdoctoral Fellow working with Dr. Paul Ragogna on micro-scale research at Western University. Dr. Bentley will be sharing his insights on the exciting science taking place at C2MCI and the approaches, challenges, collaborations, and career journey behind her research.

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Could you introduce yourself and briefly share what you’re currently working on at C2MCI?

I am Jordan Nathaniel Bentley, an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow in the Ragogna Group at Western University and a researcher with the Carbon to Metal Coating Institute (C2MCI). My current work focuses on developing a maskless, bottom-up microchip fabrication process.

By utilizing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) chemistry, I am working to create robust, chemical-resistant molecular coatings that can stabilize and manipulate metals at the nanometer scale; a critical step for the future of semiconductor packaging.

What’s the coolest analytical or synthetic technique you’ve learned recently? Why did it excite you?

My recent fascination lies in the realm of molecular electronics, where we treat individual molecules not just as chemical structures, but as functional components. The most exciting aspect of this work is the constant demand for creative synthesis to overcome tangible, physical barriers in the world.

There is an incredible "spark" in identifying a fundamental bottleneck in technological progress and engineering a precise molecular architecture to overcome it; essentially turning abstract chemical theory into a physical reality that defines the next generation of materials.

Have you ever worked with people from different disciplines? How did you make the collaboration effective?

Working within the C2MCI consortium means operating at a high-traffic intersection of expertise, where synthetic chemistry meets surface physics, computational modeling, and engineering. I’ve found that truly effective collaboration goes beyond simply sharing results; it requires a high degree of interdisciplinary fluency.

Whether I am translating molecular terminology for an engineer or aligning our goals with other collaborators, the objective is always the same: to weave these disparate expert perspectives into a single, cohesive vision. This synergy is what allows us to move a project from a theoretical molecular design to a robust, physical solution that survives the rigors of the real world.

How do you prioritize tasks when juggling multiple projects or deadlines?

I’ve found that the secret to managing a complex workload is a practiced mental agility; prioritizing when to "zoom in" on minute details and when to "zoom out" to see the larger strategic picture. I categorize my time into two distinct modes: "micro-scale" focus and "macro-scale" leadership.

The micro-scale hours are dedicated to tasks that demand absolute technical precision, such as refining a complex chemical process or performing deep-dive data analysis where even a small oversight can change the outcome. Conversely, my macro-scale periods are for the collaborative and community-driven side of my work. During these times, I focus on mentoring, steering committee initiatives, and long-term project planning.

By treating these different roles as complementary rather than competing, I ensure that the discipline required for high-stakes laboratory research provides the grounded perspective I need to lead larger organizational initiatives. It’s a constant balancing act, but the variety is exactly what keeps me energized.

Have you ever proposed a new idea or method in your work? How was it received?

I recently proposed a direction for our team focused on utilizing redox-active-NHC architectures as multifunctional surface anchors. The goal was to see if we could move beyond the idea of a passive coating and instead design an "active" interface by pairing the robust anchoring of carbenes with the electronic versatility of ferrocene. This concept was very much a collective effort; it grew through many whiteboard sessions and brainstorming rounds with my colleagues, whose diverse technical perspectives were essential in refining the approach.

While we are still in the fundamental stages and focused on proving the science within the C2MCI before looking toward external applications, the internal reception has been very encouraging. It has been incredibly rewarding to work alongside such a talented team to explore how we can treat a surface as a functional, tunable component rather than just a boundary.

What’s one thing about your research that consistently makes you smile or surprises you?

I often find myself chuckling at the sheer unpredictability of life in the lab. You can spend weeks meticulously designing and synthesizing what looks like the "perfect" molecular architecture on paper, only for the chemistry to throw a complete curveball the moment you try to realize it.

There is something deeply humbling, yet genuinely fun, about those moments where nature decides not to follow our script. It is a constant reminder that research isn't just about confirming what we think we know; it’s about being observant enough to catch the brilliance in the unexpected. Those "failed" experiments that lead to a surprising new insight are often the moments that keep the spark alive for me and the rest of the team.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their journey in chemistry?

My advice is to become a fearless generalist. Modern chemistry no longer stops at the edge of the lab bench; it is at its most transformative when it bleeds into physics, engineering, and computers.

Don't just master the synthesis; master the interface. Learn how your molecules interact with its surrounding, question why they behave as they do, and how they might solve a physical-world problem. The chemists who will lead the next century are those who can navigate the entire landscape of innovation, from the atomic scale to the industrial application.