Robert Bavisotto, Ph. D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
NASA | Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Space Sciences Section (322)
Hello! My name is Dr. Robert Vincent Bavisotto and I earned my PhD in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2024, where my research focused on physical chemistry and surface science. My work combined experimental and theoretical approaches to investigate chemical processes on surfaces using ultrahigh vacuum techniques. In the spring of 2025, I served as an adjunct professor of chemistry at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. I then accepted a position at the Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH in Germany as a postdoctoral research fellow, where my work expanded into carbon dioxide reduction reactions (CO2RR) and self-driving laboratory technologies for accelerated research. As of 2026, I have accepted a postdoctoral researcher position at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in California through the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) where I will be working on Laboratory Studies of Chemistry on Titan’s Surface.
In addition to my scientific career, I am deeply passionate about STEM education. I value opportunities to mentor students, communicate complex concepts with the general public, and help broaden participation in scientific fields through accessible and engaging learning experiences. Shown on the right hand side is the new logo for my online STEM outreach organization Nova_Tago!
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Research
Press Release
CV & Highlights
About Me
Authored SOPs & Manuals
[1] Bavisotto, R. TPS-RAM: Using Temperature-Programmed Spectroscopy – Redhead Analysis Mode to Investigate Activation Barriers and Pre-exponential Factors of Surface Kinetic Processes - SOP
[2] Bavisotto, R. TPS-VHAM: Using Temperature-Programmed Spectroscopy – Van’t Hoff Analysis Method to Investigate Equilibrium Processes on Surfaces - SOP.
[3] Bavisotto, R. TPS-AAM: Using Temperature-Programmed Spectroscopy – Arrhenius Analysis Method to Investigate Activation Barriers and Pre-exponential Factors of Surface Kinetic Processes - SOP
[4] Bavisotto, R. RAIRS: Reflection Adsorption Infrared Spectroscopy using a Bruker Vertex 70: Tricks for Reducing Background Drift Resulting from Thermal Deformation of Sample Mounts - SOP.
[5] Bavisotto, R. RAIRS: Reflection Adsorption Infrared Spectroscopy using a Bruker Vertex 70: Utilizing Rolling Averages to Enable Rapid Data Collection with Enhanced Signal-to-Noise Ratios during Fast Experiments - SOP.
[6] Bavisotto, R. Calculating Average Tilt Angles: Utilizing Reflection Adsorption Infrared Spectroscopy and Gaussian-16 to Calculate the Average Tilt Angle of Adsorbed Surface Species – Leveraging the Infrared Surface Selection Rules - SOP.
[7] Bavisotto, R. XPS: X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy using STIAB source and Phi electronics system: Utilizing Rolling Averages to Enhance Signal-to-Noise Ratio in Rapid Experiments - SOP.
[8] Bavisotto, R. AES: Auger Electron Spectroscopy using a Phi electronics system: Using Rolling Averages to Improve S/N During Short Duration Experiments - SOP.
[9] Bavisotto, R. TPD: Temperature-Programmed Desorption using a Hiden HAL 301 Quadrupole MS – Using LabVIEW Channel Leaping Methods to Increase Number of Masses Scanned - SOP
[10] Bavisotto, R. TPD: Temperature-Programmed Desorption using a Dycor 201 Quadrupole MS – Using LabVIEW Channel Leaping Methods to Increase Number of Masses Scanned - SOP
[11] Bavisotto, R. LEED: Low Energy Electron Diffraction using an Omnicron SpectaLEED 535 Unit – Digitizing and Plotting Visual Data from Photos – SOP
[12] Bavisotto, R. STM: Basic Operational Parameters: Scanning Tunneling Microscopy using a RHK 300 – Tips and Tricks for Resolving the Surface – SOP
[13] Bavisotto, R. AFM: Basic Function and Operational Parameters: Atomic Force Microscopy using a RHK 300 Beetle – SOP
[14] Bavisotto, R. RGA: Residual Gas Analysis using Hiden HAL 301 Quadrupole MS – SOP
[15] Bavisotto, R. GC: Gas Chromatography using a HP 5890 – SOP
[16] Bavisotto, R. Single Crystal Mounting Methods Review – SOP
[17] Bavisotto, R. Using IR Lithography to Fabricate Molecular Electronics Devices with Microgap Electrode Separation - SOP
[18] Bavisotto, R. STM Tip making - SOP: Using the Etch Stop Method in Conjunction with the Electrochemical Drop-off Technique for the Fabrication of Atomically Sharp Tungsten STM Tips.
[19] Bavisotto, R. Predicting Enantioselectivity for Prochiral Molecules Docked Surface Chiral Modifiers using First Principles Density Functional Theory with VASP – SOP
[20] Bavisotto, R. QuantumATK Geometry Optimizations & IV Calculations for Moletronics Studies- SOP
[21] Bavisotto, R. Introduction to simple molecule drug docking using Autodock VINA – SOP
[22] Bavisotto, R. Computational Drug Discovery – Improved Computational Reproducibility by Reducing “False Positives” and “Missed Hits” by using the Multiseed Method in Conjunction with the Spatial Derivative Method – SOP
[23] Bavisotto, R. ISMMC-RAIRS: In Situ Monitoring of Molecular Conductivity with Reflection Absorption Infrared Spectroscopy – A Novel Method for Correlating Surface Structures with Molecular Conductivity
[24] Bavisotto, R. BM_Gap Chip Array Method: Utilizing Novel Nanotechnology Deposition Methods to Design and Construct Molecular Circuits for Conductivity and Rectification Studies
[25] Bavisotto, R. TPS-Fitting Methods: Utilizing TPS Methods to Fit Experimental Data for Surface Kinetic Processes.
Schematic Diagram of AFM/STM in the Ultrahigh Vacuum Chamber
(A) Depiction of NEB calculation finding the minimum energy pathway
(B) Depiction of the cNEB method where the forces are inverted along the potential energy path
Schematic of an ion gauge commonly used to measure the pressure in UHV chambers