Graduate students, postdoctoral associates, visiting scientists, and undergraduates
Nathan Black
Ph.D. in 2019
Thesis title: Botanically templated macroporous materials and their energy catalysis applications
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory laboratory safety staff member (2020-current). NRC fellow (2017-2018). B.S. in Chemistry (Greek Minor), University of Iowa (2013)
Ashley Schneider
Graduate Student, 2019-2020 (moved to Williams group)
E-mail: ashley-schneider@uiowa.edu
Educational Background: B.S. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI (2018)
Ashley Flores
M.S. in 2018
Instructional lab assistant at UC Santa Barbara since April 2020, UI lab research an teaching assistant (2018-2020), B.S. Millikin University, Decatur, IL (2015)
Majid Nada
Ph.D. 2019 (co-advised with Prof. Sarah Larsen, thesis M.S. in 2016)
Thesis title: Mechanochemically assisted synthesis of zeolite catalysts for biomass conversion
E-mail: majidhameednada-nada@uiowa.edu
Environmental lab scientist (2020-current), B.Sc. University of Tikrit, Tikrit, Iraq (2011)
Tony Montoya
Ph.D. in 2018
Thesis title: Synthesis of Carbon Nitrides and Composite Photocatalyst Materials
Argonne National Lab postdoc (2019 - current). University of Iowa GAANN Fellow (2016-2018). Joined group in 2011. B.S. in Chemistry, Grand Valley State University (2011)
Nate Coleman, Jr.
Ph.D. in 2015
Thesis title: Synthesis and Characterization of Metal Doped Titanium Dioxide, Transition Metal Phosphides, and Thiophosphates for Photocatalysis and Energy Applications
University of Toledo lecturer (2018-current). Illinois community college instructor (2017). Kansas State University postdoc (2016). University of Iowa GAANN Fellow (2008 - 2010). Joined group in 2008. B.A. in Chemistry, Monmouth College (2008)
Andrew Zimmerman
M.S. in 2012
Consultant on analytical and materials research and in Oregon and Wisconsin. Joined group in 2007. B.S. in Chemistry from University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point (2007).
Allen Wu
2010-2011
Ph.D. degree studies at South Dakota State University. Co-advised with Grassian. M.S. in Chemistry from SDSU.
Brian Barry
Ph.D. in 2010
Thesis title: Synthesis of Transition-Metal Polyphosphides
Chemistry Program Leader at University of Minnesota Duluth Natural Resources Research Institute (2019 - current), Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Platteville (2014-19). Postdoc at University of New Mexico/Sandia National Lab with Prof. Rick Kemp (2010-2012), and then postdoc and lecturer at St. Mary's University, Nova Scotia. UI Chemistry Excellence in Graduate Research Award (2009). Joined group in 2004. B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Northern Iowa (2004).
James Holst
Ph.D. in 2009
Thesis title: Synthesis of Inorganic Heptazine-Based Materials
2018 - senior scientist at Donaldson. From 2011-1018 employed as a research scientist at Sigma-Aldrich Corporation. Prior postdoc at University of Liverpool with Prof. Andy Cooper. Joined group in 2003. B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Iowa (2002).
Fun fact: James appeared on Jeopardy while in UI grad school!
Sujith Perera
Ph.D. in 2007
Thesis title: Solid-State and Solvothermal Metathesis Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide and Layered Metal Oxyhalides
Employed as a research chemist and project manager at Lubrizol Corporation. Prior postdoc research at University of Akron. Joined group in 2002. B.S. in Chemistry from University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (1999).
Jonglak (CJ) Choi
Ph.D. in 2006
Thesis title: Low Temperature Solvothermal Routes for Synthesis of Crystalline Group 13 and Transition Metal Nitrides via Energetic Precursor Decomposition.
2016 - Employed at Natural Fiber Welding. Previously employed at LED producer Cree Inc. 2007 - Iowa postdoc, then postdoc at University of New Orleans with Prof. John Wiley and North Carolina State University with Prof. Paul Maggard, B.S. (1997) and M.S. (1999) in Chemistry from Sejong University, Seoul, Korea.
Prof. Dean Katahira
Fall 2000
Sabbatical research visiting scientist from Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin.
Dr. Jianjun Wang
Postdoc, 2000-2002
Employed as a CVD process engineer at Intel Corp. in Chandler, AZ. Prior postdoctoral research at the State University of Campinas in Brazil (1997-2000), B.Eng. (1988), M.S. (1993), and Ph.D. (1997) in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Beijing, China.
Dr. Luke Grocholl
Postdoc, 2000-2002
Employed at Sigma-Aldrich Corporation in Milwaukee, WI. Ph.D. in Chemistry with Prof. Lother Stahl, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks (2000), B.S. in Chemistry from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois (1994), A.S. degree from Rock Valley College, Rock Valley, Illinois (1991).
Dale Miller
Ph.D. in 2004
Thesis title: Molecular Single Source Precursors for Synthesis of Nitrogen-Rich Carbon Nitride Materials
Currently a patent examiner in Washington D.C, previously was a research scientist at RedXDefense. 2004-06 UIowa postdoc and lecturer, then NRC postdoctoral fellow at NRL. Joined group in 1999. B.A. in Chemistry and Biology, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois (1998).
Scott Cullison
M.S. in 2000
High school chemistry teacher in Virginia. Joined group in 1997. B.S. in Chemistry from Ball State University, Indiana (1997).
Undergraduates and Summer REU Students
- Tristan Freese - spring 2019
- Nathan Black (2011- 2014) - 2013 B.S. in Chemistry, worked at NanoMedTrix (Oakdale) 2014, then UIowa Chemistry Ph.D. program
- Tony Downs (Morehouse College), summer 2013 UI NSF-REU student
- Liam Taylor (Univ. of Notre Dame), summer 2012 UI NSF-REU student, then a UT Austin Chemistry Ph.D. student. Liam Taylor on LinkedIn
- Tyler Van Heest (Luther College), summer 2011, UI NSF-REU student, then University of Minnesota Med School. Tyler Van Heest on LinkedIn
- Joey Squires (2009 - 2011), 2011 B.S. in Chemistry, then employed at Penford Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa and later at Ingredion. Joseph Squires on LinkedIn
- Miller Li (2008 - 2010), 2010 B.S. in Chemistry (honors), MIT 2015 Ph.D. in Chemistry, John Hopkins postdoc, Novomer research scientist, 2018 Los Alamos National Labs postdoc. Miller Li on LinkedIn
- Brandon Schabes (Kalamazoo College), summer 2009, NSF Solid State Chem REU program, then a University of Oregon Chemistry Ph.D. student. Brandon Schabes on LinkedIn
- Ashley Nelson (Univ. of Evansville), summer 2008, UI NSF Nanoscience REU student, then a Ph.D. in polymer science from University of Virginia, now research staff member of Hughes Research Labs. Ashley (Nelson) Dustin on LinkedIn
- Peter Haugen, 2008, UI B.S. chemistry degree studies
- Randy Pho (2003 - 2006), UI Pharmacy program graduate. Practicing pharmacist. Randy Pho on LinkedIn
- Zack Rhoades (2004 - 2005), 2005 B.S. in Chemistry, works at Genentech (SF, CA). Zack Rhoades on LinkedIn
- Nadiya Zelenski (2004 - 2005), UI Pharmacy program graduate. Practicing pharmacist.
- Jennifer Heinrichs (2001), 2002 B.S. in Chemistry
- Bruce Dumser (1999 - 2001), 2001 B.A. Chemistry, earned UI M.D. degree. Practicing anesthesiologist. Bruce Dumser web info
- Curtis Dettmann, 1998