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
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
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.
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
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.
Matt Mimms
Matt hails from Nome, Alaksa. He spends his time dying his hair bright colors and playing with equally colorful cobat complexes.
Ryan (He) Zhao
Ryan flew across the world from Ningbo, China to join the Macdonald Group. Strangely he has yet to spot Dr. Macdonald's 6'4" cousin who also lives in Ningbo. The goal of the Macdonald group is to teach Ryan very important parts of American culture like the proper way to eat hot chicken without passing out, the fine art of making fun of another's football team, and debate of whether Twinkies count as food or not. Ryan's job over the next years it to make lots of tiny rocks.
Samuel Nimmer
Unlike Ryan, Sam walked simply his way across campus to join the Macdonald group. His goal over the next years is to make the little rocks sit in pretty patterns and then blast them with lasers.
I am from Easley, SC. I received my B.S. in chemistry in 2022 from Clemson University, where I worked in Dr. Brian Dominy's research group. My undergraduate research involved computational studies of SARS-CoV-2 complexation to ACE-2 receptors. My current research is centered around the synthesis of binary nanocrystal superlattices for plasmonic harmonic generation. In my free time, I like to play games with friends and spend time with my cat Momo.
Undergraduates
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.
Yimming Chen
was born in Xuzhou, and raised in Nanjing, China. I am a junior at Engineering school double majoring in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and minoring in Data Science. Starting from freshman year, I joined Prof. De-en Jiang's computational chemistry lab to investigate the catalytic performance of single and dual metal site catalysts for oxidative coupling and combustion reactions. I joined the Macdonald group in the spring of 2025. I am currently working with Emma on phase control of copper sulfide. My ultimate goal is to employ the phase control to design functional nanocatalysts with higher activity, selectivity and stability. In my free time, I enjoy playing table tennis, jogging, and spending time with my friends.
Annalise Edwards
Annalise hatched from a strage egg that allowed her to be a double major in Chemistry and Classics. As a special unicorn of an academic, she is now working our our rock art project and figuing out how to make rust stick to microscope slides.
Nehemiah Stovall-Wright
Sorry Nehemiah, you're going to have to send me your bio again!