Graduate Student Profiles

Office Location: Sinclair 315

Area of Specialization: Computational Physical Chemistry

My current projects seek to understand the underlying photophysics of various photochemical processes. From building potential energy curves of catalytic metal complexes, to analyzing the photoisomerization of azo dyes, my work with Dr. Fredin uses computational modeling software and fundamental quantum mechanics to study light-induced processes. In addition to my graduate research, I mentor undergraduate students who participate in the Photochemistry Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE), a combined experiment-computation experience with the Young Lab.

Office location: Mudd 447

Area of Specialization: Polymer Chemistry/Mechanochemistry

My research focuses on the molecular-level development of sensitive, colorful, and
near-infrared (NIR) mechanofluorophores for damage sensing in polymeric materials
and bio-imaging applications.

Area of Specialization: Physical Chemistry, Photochemistry

My primary research interest is in determining structure-function relationships in photoactive compounds using spectroscopic techniques. My current work focuses on the effect that substituent effects have on the rate of photoinduced geometric change in heterocyclic azo compounds.

Office Location: Mudd 573

Area of Specialization: Photochemistry, Time Resolved Spectroscopy, Data Analysis

Fifth year graduate student in the Young lab.

Office Location: Mudd 632

Area of Specialization: Biochemistry

I am currently a Ph.D. student in the Dr Glover Lab, where my research focuses on engineering and characterizing plant-derived lipid droplets. Specifically, I explore how these biomimetic systems can be used to separate pharmaceutical and personal care products from aqueous environments. I quantify and analyze partitioning behavior using liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry (LC-MS) techniques.

Office Location: Mudd 567

Area of Specialization: Physical Chemistry

My research sits at the intersection of sustainability and innovation, where I focus on improving carbon capture technologies using supercapacitive swing adsorption. Specifically, I investigate the rate-determining step in CO₂ adsorption kinetics and design catalysts to accelerate the process. In addition, I explore advanced electrode designs to boost both adsorption efficiency and kinetics, because when it comes to capturing CO₂, faster is always better—especially when the planet’s on the clock. Broadly, my work aims to contribute to scalable and effective carbon capture solutions in the fight against climate change.

Office Location: Sinclair 315

Area of Specialization: Computational Photochemistry

In my research, I use density functional theory to make energetic predictions to aid in elucidating photochemical mechanisms. My research extends to modelling explicit solvent environments of these mechanisms using solvent models, molecular dynamics simulations, and time-dependent density functional theory to answer questions of mechanistic favorability and kinetics in response to changes in solvent environments and solvent/solute interactions.

Office Location: Mudd 757

Area of Specialization: Physical Organic Chemistry

I am a current student in the Flowers lab. My research is focused on mechanistic studies into samarium (II) mediated reductions by using stopped flow spectrophotometry to monitor reaction kinetics. In my free time I enjoy traveling.

Office Location: Mudd 632

Area of Specialization: Biochemistry

The primary focus of my research is the study of the secondary structure of a membrane protein commonly found in plant seed lipid droplets called oleosin. This protein is known to stabilize the structures of lipid droplets. To study the structure, I utilize NMR spectroscopy to determine the local conformations of oleosin. These local arrangements are then used to construct a three-dimensional model of oleosin. With this information, we hope to gain insight into the function of oleosin and how it stabilizes lipid droplets. Outside of the lab, I am a recreational scuba instructor and active public safety diver.