Dr. Rebecca Abergel

Associate Professor

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Biography

Rebecca Abergel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. She also serves as the Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence in the College of Engineering. Abergel earned her PhD in 2006 from UC Berkeley, specializing in inorganic chemistry under the supervision of Professor Kenneth Raymond. Her doctoral research focused on the synthesis and characterization of siderophore analogs to probe microbial iron transport systems and the design of new iron chelating agents. Following her doctoral studies, Abergel worked as a postdoctoral researcher with Professor Roland Strong at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where she investigated the bacteriostatic function of the innate immune protein siderocalin and its interaction with pathogenic microorganisms, contributing to the development of new antibiotics. In 2009, she joined the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as a Staff Scientist, leading collaborations in the creation of new drug products for treating heavy metal and radionuclide contamination, which received Investigational New Drug status from the FDA in 2014. Her research encompasses various topics including heavy elements in coordination and nuclear chemistry, radioactive waste management, and the engineering of rare earth extraction processes. Abergel's work aims to develop strategies for decontamination and innovative therapeutic solutions involving radioisotopes.

Research Interests

Awards

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Vice-President Elect

2023-01-01
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Exceptional Achievement Tech Transfer

2022-01-01
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Kenneth N. Raymond Lectureship Inorganic Chemistry

2022-01-01
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Bakar Faculty Fellow

2021-01-01
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Achievement Honor Award – COVID-19 Clinical Testing Teams

2020-01-01
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Achievement Honor Award – National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory

2020-01-01
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Hellman Faculty Fellow

2020-01-01
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AAAS Fellow

2019-01-01
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Nuclear & Quantum Engineering Pioneer Lecturer

2019-01-01
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Rising Star award

2017-01-01
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Early Career Award

2014-01-01
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Innovators 35 – France

2014-01-01
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Exceptional Scientific Achievement

2013-01-01
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Women Lab Award

2013-01-01
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Junior Faculty NCRP Award

2013-01-01
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Young Investigator Award

2009-01-01

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.