Former Members

Graduate Students and Postdocs:

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David Stierwalt, M.S. Chemistry (2019)
Thesis: Broadband Two-Photon Absorption Spectroscopy: Measuring Accurate Absolute Cross-Sections
B.S. University of Indianapolis

 

 

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Chris Otolski, Ph.D. Chemistry (2019)
Thesis: Mechanisms of Condensed Phase Reactions: The Role of Structure, Dynamics, and Environment in Photoisomerization and Photodissociation
B.S. University of Indianapolis
Currently: Postdoc, AMO Physics Group, Argonne National Laboratory
 

 

Tim Quincy, Ph.D. Chemistry (2018)
Thesis: Direct and Indirect Probing of Higher-Lying Excited-States of Photoactive Molecules
B.S., University of Kansas
Currently: Teaching Fellow at St. Ambrose University

 

Amanda Houk, Ph.D. Chemistry (2015)
Thesis: Nonlinear Excitation of Photoactivated Molecules: Two-Photon Absorption Spectroscopy, Dynamics, and Quantum Yields
M.S., University of New Mexico (Nanoscience and Microsystems)
B.A., Gustavus Adolphus College (MN)
Currently: Senior Scientist at Savannah River National Laboratory 

 

Cassandra Ward, Ph.D. Chemistry (2014)
Thesis: Controlling the Cycloreversion Reaction of a Diarylethene Derivative Using Sequential Two-Photon Excitation
B.S., University of Nebraska- Omaha
After KU: Postdoc with Gerald Meyer, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Currently: Senior Research Scientist/Lab Manager, Lumigen Instrument Center, Wayne State University 

 

Igor Zheldakov, Postdoc (2010-13)
Ph.D., Bowling Green State University (2010)
After KU: Research Chemist, Spectra Group Limited (Toledo, OH)
Currently: Polymer Chemist, Eastman Chemical Company (Kingsport, TN)

 

 

Jenna (Wasylenko) Lindsay, Graduate Student (2010-15)
B.S., Sweet Briar College (VA)
After KU: Chemistry teacher at Atchison High School (KS)

 

 

Sadegh Mahvidi, Visiting Graduate Student (2016-17)
Institute for Color Science and Technology, Tehran
M.S. Institute for Color Science and Technology (Tehran)
B.S. Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran)
Hometown: Tehran, Iran

 

 

Visiting Faculty:

Jordan Mantha, Summer 2016
Associate Professor, Midamerica Nazarene University
Ph.D., University of Nevada- Reno
B.A., University of Montana Western

 

 

Summer REU Students:

Ryan Hamelin, REU Summer Research (2015)
B.S. Chemistry, Fitchburg State University (MA)
 

 

 

Darien Morrow, REU Summer Research (2014)
B.S. Chemistry, Missouri Western State University (2015)
Currently: Graduate student at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wright Group
 

 

 

Samantha Allen, REU Summer Research (2013)
B.S. Chemistry, Agnes Scott College (2014)
Currently: Graduate student at University of Colorado-Boulder, Jimenez Group
 

 

 

Tyler Tommey, REU Summer Research (2011)
B.S. Chemistry, Northwest Missouri State University (2013)
Currently: Graduate student in Polymer Science, University of Akron (OH)
 

 

 

Joe Varberg, REU Summer research (2010)
B.S. Chemistry, Rockhurst University (2011)
Ph.D. Pharmacology, Indiana University School of Medicine (2017)
Currently: Stowers Institute for Medical Research (Kansas City, MO)

 

 

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KU Undergraduates:

Whitney Harmon, B.S. Chemistry (2018)
Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas
Currently: Graduate school at University of Iowa, Cheatum and Shaw Groups

 

 

Brooks Hidaka, B.S. Chemistry (2018)
(UKanTeach)
Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas
Currently: Graduate school in Education, University of Kansas

 

 

Emmaline Lorenzo, B.S. Chemistry (2018, with Honors) 
Honors Thesis: A Spectroscopic Study of the Uncaging Reaction of para-Hydroxyphenacyl Derivatives Under Neutral and Basic Conditions
Hometown: Leawood, Kansas
Currently: Graduate school at Northwestern University, Wasielewski Group

 

 

Jung Moon Suh, B.S. Chemistry (2018)
(UKanTeach)

 

 

 

Nick Jackson, B.S. Chemistry (2017)
(UKanTeach)
Hometown: Parsons, Kansas
Currently: Chemistry teacher at Olathe South High School

 

 

Jorge Perez
(UKanTeach; McNair Scholar)
Hometown: Olathe, Kansas

 

 

Victoria Gunderson, B.A. Chemistry (2016)
(UKanTeach)
Hometown: Riverside, Rhode Island
Currently: Brewer at 23rd Street Brewery (Lawrence, KS)

 

 

Thomas Hurley, B.S. Chemical Engineering (2016)
Hometown: Parsons, Kansas

 

 

 

John Bliss, B.S. Chemistry (2015)
Hometown: Olathe, Kansas
 

 

 

Graham Oltjen, B.S. Chemistry (2014)
After KU: Halliburton
 

 

 

Will Cleek, B.S. Chemistry (with Honors, 2013)
After KU: M.D., University of Kansas Medical School (2017)
Currently: Resident, Emergency Medicine, University of Washington

 

 

Heidi LeSage, B.S. Chemistry (2011)
Currently: Pearson Education (Portland, OR)

 

 

Alyssa (Auld) Meyer, B.S. Chemistry Education (2010)
After KU: Chemistry/Physics teacher at Mill Valley High School (Shawnee, KS)