flasks
Janet Macdonald

Janet Macdonald

Associate  Professor of Chemistry

BSc 2003 McGill University

PhD 2008 University of Alberta

Post Doctoral Fellow 2008-10 The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Assistant Professor 2011- 2020 Vanderbilt University

Associate Professor 2020- present Vanderbilt University

My education started in the very small town of Dorset, Ontario in a school with twelve children and one teacher. Mrs. McLennan did a great job fostering my love to learn because decades later, I still have yet to "finish" going to school. As a young student, I seemed to be always staring out the window because I was fascinated by the spinning black and while panels of the Crooks Radiometer on her classroom windowsill and the hoar frost that would cover the glass on winter mornings. I haven't stopped thinking about solar energy and crystal growth since.

Graduate Sudents

Andrey Shults

Andrey Shults

I am originally from Moscow, Russia. After finishing middle school in my country, I decided to continue my education in the US where I got my B.S. in Biochemistry from Florida State University. For my undergraduate research, I worked with Dr. Geoffrey Strouse on developing dilute magnetic semiconductor nanoparticles. My current research is focused on phase manipulation of metal sulfides. Outside of work, I enjoy outdoor activities and spending time with my friends.

 

 

Emma Endres

 Emma Endres

I am from Bourbonnais, Illinois. I received my B.S in chemistry at Indiana University in 2021. In my undergraduate research under Dr. Sara Skrabalak, where I became interested in nanoparticle synthesis, I studied the galvanic replacement reaction with intermetallic palladium-copper nanoparticle templates and gold precursor as well as platinum precursor. I observed PdCu-Au dimer formation and analyzed its formation as a function of Au precursor injection rate and volume. Currently my research focuses on phase control of iron sulfide particles, specifically via the addition of bidentate ligands. In my free time I like to paint, trying new crafts, and spending time with my friends.

Liz Hays

Elizabeth Hays

I was born and raised in Belleville, Illinois. I received my B.S. in Biochemistry at Murray State University, where I worked with Dr. Kevin Miller for undergraduate research. My project was a blend of small molecule synthesis and polymer chemistry, where I ran a lot of columns and ultimately functionalized cellulose with ionic liquid groups. After making the switch to the inorganic world, I am currently working on controlling the phase of metal chalcogenide materials through single source precursors. In my free time, I love to sew, cook, and spend time with family and friends!

 

Bharat

Bharat

am from India and received my B.S. and M.S. in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. My research journey has been quite interdisciplinary. I began with a master’s research project on predicting the spin states of quantum mechanically entangled photons. Following this, I worked as a research assistant on a simulation-based project predicting nuclear fusion for unstable nuclei. I then moved on to the synthesis of multiferroic nanostructures for photocatalysis and enhancing the performance of switching devices. At Vanderbilt, in Spring 2024, I worked on the fabrication of CNT membranes for hemodialysis and hemofiltration. My current research focuses on studying localized surface plasmon resonance of metal-semiconductor heterostructures to enhance harmonic generation, which has applications in photothermal therapy, photoabsorbers, and catalysis. In my free time, I enjoy reading books, particularly autobiographies and philosophical works.

 

Undergraduates

Blake Catlett

Blake Catlett

I was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN. I am a rising third-year undergraduate majoring in Chemistry, with a minor in Earth & Environmental Sciences. I spent my first year of undergrad at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before transferring to Vanderbilt University, returning to my home state. I joined the Macdonald group in the summer of 2023, continuing a project focused on Anishinaabe rock art chemistry. The main goal is to re-discover the methods that led to the incredibly durable murals. In my free time, I like to cook, chat with friends, enjoy music, and go on drives.

 

Kathleen Tuong Nguyen Dinh Cat

Kathleen Tuong Nguyen Dinh Cat     

I am from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, though I have been living in the United States for several years: first in Massachusetts, and currently in Pennsylvania where I attend college. At my home institution, Franklin & Marshall College, I study the effects of tellurium and cadmium exchange on copper vacancies in chalcocite copper sulfide nanorods under Dr. Kate Plass. This summer in the Macdonald Lab, I will be working on a project that ultimately results in synthesizing copper gold selenide quantum dots. In my free time, I enjoy doodling and painting, photography, reading, and cooking with my friends.

 

 

Noah

Noah Durlam     

I’m from Germantown, Wisconsin, and I’m an undergraduate Chemistry major going into my fourth year at Valparaiso University. This summer, I’m completing an REU at Vanderbilt where I’m attempting to recreate Anishinaabe rock art, researching potential natural methods that could lead to a resilient hematite-silica bond. Back at Valpo, I work under Dr. Julie Peller to investigate nanoplastic formation and structure in solution. In my free time, I love playing the piano and playing tabletop-roleplaying games with my friends.

 

Group Alumni

Jeremy Espano, PhD

(PhD 2024, Vanderbilt University)  

Lexie Koziel, PhD

(PhD 2024, Vanderbilt University) Online Marketing Manager, SniffSpot.com,  

Nehemiah Stovall-Wright, Reseach for credit

(2022-2023) Vanderbilt 

Deborah Oke

(REU, 2023) North Eastern University 

Tony Peng, Honors Reseach and Beckman Schollar

(Undergrad, Highest honors, 2021-2023) Columbia PhD Program   

Nathan Spear, PhD

(PhD 2023, Vanderbilt University) Post Doc at Kansas State Physics/LBNL

Madeleine Fort, PhD

(PhD 2023, Vanderbilt University) Post Doc, Naval Reserach Labs

Danielle Penk, PhD

(PhD 2023, Vanderbilt University) Senior Scientst at Elelixis   

Christopher Sharp, PhD

(PhD 2023, Vanderbilt University) XRD Scientsits at EAG Laboratories

Sarah Siman, summer reseacher

(Undergrad 2022), Vanderbilt University

Roxanne Hiojosa, REU

(Undergrad 2022), University of Oklahoma

Peter Edwards, Honors Reserach

(Undergrad, With Highest Honors, 2023), Vanderbilt Universtiy

Ralston Goldfarb, Summer reseracher

(Undergrad 2021), Case Western Reserve University

Eric Ho, Honors reserach

(Undergrad 2020-2021, Vanderbilt) Emory PhD Chemistry Program

Jordan Rhodes, PhD

(PhD 2020, Vanderbilt)

Evan Robinson, PhD

(PhD 2020, Vanderbilt) CREE, Raleigh/Duram Process Engineer

Yilun(Paul) Zhao, BA Honors

(Undergrad 2015-2019) UC Berkley Chem Eng Masters Program

Puxin Xuanyuan

(Undergrad 2018) Vandy BA 2021

Emil Hernández-Pagán, PhD

(Post Doc 2012-2013, 2017-2019, Vanderbilt) Assistant Professor at the University of Delaware

Andrew LaCroix, PhD

(PhD 2018, Vanderbilt ) Assistant Professor, Lander University

Joeseph Veglak

(REU 2018, Rose Hulman Institute of Technology) Grad school at Penn State!

John Cliburn, BA

(Undergrad 2018 ) Doing clinical research before applying for MD programs

Nikki Jenkinson, BA Honors

(Undergrad 2014-2018, Vanderbilt) Now pursuing MD/PHD at Johns Hopkins

Stephanie Castillo, MSc

(REU 2014, MSc 2015-2017, Vanderbilt) Now pursuing a PhD in the Hanusa group

Alice Leach, PhD

(PhD 2013-2017, Vanderbilt) Clean Room Guru, Vanderbilt Institute for Nanoscale Science and Envineering (VINSE)

Shane Finn, PhD

(PhD 2011-2016, Vanderbilt) Senior Staff Chemist with Chemours

Suresh Sarkar, PhD

(Postdoc, 2014-16) Postdoc with Prof. Andrew Smith, University of Illinois

Michael Turo, PhD

(PhD, 2011-16, Vanderbilt) Senior Process Development Chemist, Genalyte

Summer Arrowood, MSc

(MSc, 2012-15, Vanderbilt) Chemist, Stony Creek Colors

Amadou Fall

(Undergrad, 2014-15, Tennessee State University) Graduate Program at MTSU

Mathew Cleveland, BA Honors

(BA, 2015, Vanderbilt)-Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Bryson Howard, MSc

(MSc, 2013, Vanderbilt)- Northwestern University and Improv Comedian

Nazharie Brandon

(Undergrad, Summer 2014, Vanderbilt)

Laura Mast, BA Honors

(Undergrad, Beckman Schollar, 2013-2014, Vanderbilt)- Graduate Program at Georgia Tech, NSF GRFP

Samantha Monk

(Undergrad, Summer 2012)

Erik Jewel

(Undergrad Summer 2012) - Graduate Program at Penn State