Graduate Students
Mellie Lemon
Mellie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a minor in Spanish from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee in 2018. During her undergraduate studies, she worked under Dr. Ron Pongdee attempting to synthesize pochonin J, a potential anti-cancer agent derived from natural products. After undergrad, Mellie spent a gap year in Nashville, Tennessee working in an industrial lab and tutoring high school students. Mellie enrolled in the University of Oregon in the Fall of 2019 to pursue a PhD and joined the Johnson lab in the summer of 2020. Mellie’s thesis focused on the synthesis and characterization of intercalated or substituted transition metal dichalcogenides such as Fe1-xVxSe2.
Aaron Miller
Aaron graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry (ACS certified) from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota in the spring of 2018. At Gustavus, he was a part of Dr. Brian O’Brien’s research group, where he worked on electrochemical characterization of aryl phosphines. After thoroughly enjoying his first year at the University of Oregon, he joined the Dave Johnson lab in the summer of 2019, working to understand the stubbornly complex electrical transport properties of TiSe2 and SnSe and TiSe2-containing heterostructures. Aaron’s thesis was focused on exploring the structure-property relationships for thin films within the Sn-Ti system.
Marisa Choffel
Marisa graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia in the spring of 2017. While studying at The College of William & Mary, she joined Dr. Kristin Wustholz’s lab, focusing on using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering to identify organic dyes in oil paintings. Marisa enrolled in the University of Oregon in the fall of 2017 to pursue a PhD and joined the Johnson lab in the summer of 2018, studying how Mn-Se containing thin films nucleate depending on composition. Marisa’s thesis focused on the synthesis and electrical properties of Bi-Se containing heterostructures.
Renae Gannon
Renae graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia in June 2017. While in her undergraduate program, she spent a year working at Argonne National Laboratory to fabricate and characterize superconducting detectors for the South Pole Telescope, which is where she took an interest in electronic materials and thin films. She then went on to receive a Master of Science in Applied Physics in September 2018 with a focus in Optical Materials and Devices as a part of the Master’s Industrial Internship Program at University of Oregon. For her Master’s internship, she spent a year working at Thermo Fisher Scientific in R&D on the development and applications of a tool that combines in-situ ultra-short pulsed Laser ablation in a Scanning Electron Microscope/Plasma-Focused Ion Beam (TriBeam) for large volume materials characterization. After a year at Thermo Fisher she decided to return to the University of Oregon in January 2019 to pursue a PhD in Chemistry. Renae’s thesis focused on using atomic resolution electron microscopy techniques to study crystallographic defects and interfacial reactions in thin film heterostructures to gain insight into the formation pathway these materials take when they crystallize.
Danielle Hamann
Danielle graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan in 2015. During her time there she worked under Dr. Alexi Iretski investigating the efficiency of heterogeneous porous metal oxide catalysts to break down biofuel. In the Summer of 2014, she was an REU student at the University of Oregon where she worked under Dr. Mark Lonergan, preparing perovskite thin film absorbing layers to study the material’s defect states in the material. Since 2015, Danielle has been pursuing her PhD in the Chemistry department at the University of Oregon in the Johnson lab. She was awarded the National Science Foundation Fellowship in 2017 for her proposal focusing on preparing heterostructures containing interface stabilized ferromagnetic 2D materials. Her thesis focused on investigating the role of nanoarchitecture on the structure and property relationship of SnSe and TiSe2 nanolaminate thin film heterostructures and well as the preparation of novel magnetic thin film layers in heterostructures.
Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zixDoMgAAAAJ&hl=en
Dmitri ‘Dem’ Cordova
Dmitri attended undergraduate studies at University of the Philippines earning his BS in Biochemistry in 2013. Dmitri joined the Johnson lab to pursue a PhD in Chemistry in 2017. His current work focuses on synthesizing heterostructures containing PbSe, VSe2, MoSe2, and SnSe2
Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=iaHPPRsAAAAJ&hl=en
Erik Hadland
A cook and baker in his spare time, Erik attended undergraduate studies at Wheaton College earning his BA in Public Health in 2008. Erik taught high school science at the Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis. Erik first came to the University of Oregon in the summer of 2014 to pursue his PhD in Chemistry and officially joined the Johnson Lab in June 2015. Erik’s doctoral work focused on transition metal dichalcogenide nanolaminates, synthesized by high vacuum (PVD) method, for applications in next generation photovoltaic devices, light emitting diodes, and field effect transistors.
Nic Westcott
Nic attended undergraduate studies at Lyon College earning his BS in Chemistry (minor in Physics and Math) in 2016. Nic graduated with an MS in Chemistry in 2018.
A caretaker owls and raptors, Marco attended university at RWTH Aachen University (Germany) earning his B.Sc. in Chemistry in 2010. Marco first came to the University of Oregon in the spring of 2010 as part of the International Research Experiene for Undergraduates (IREU), where he worked in the Johnson lab. Marco received his M.Sc. in Chemisty with honors from RWTH Aachen University in 2012. Upon completing his Masters, Marco returned to UO in 2012, and officially joined the Johnson Lab to pursue his PhD in Chemistry. Marco’s doctoral work focused on mechanistic studies and structural analysis of inorganic thin films using ferecystals. Other research projects include DFT modeling of chalcogenide materials.
Marco is currently a postdoctoral associate at the Center for Materials Genomics at Duke University.
Kyle Hite
A power lifter and former cheerleader, Kyle attended undergraduate studies at Pacific University earning his degree in Chemistry and Math in 2013. Kyle first came to the University of Oregon in the summer of 2012 as part of the Environmental Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates in Chemistry, Physics, and Material Science, where he worked in the Richmond Lab. Kyle returned to UO in 2013 to pursue his PhD in Chemistry and officially joined the Johnson Lab in June 2014. Kyle’s doctoral work focused on using understanding charge density waves in thin-film chalcogenide intergrowth materials synthesized by high vacuum (PVD) method.
Kyle currently works at FEI in Hillboro.
A West Coast Swing dancer, Suzannah attended undergraduate studies at Cornell College earning her BA in Physics and Chemistry in 2013. Suzannah was awarded with the Smith Fellowship in Physics (2011), while attending Cornell College. Suzannah first came to the University of Oregon in the summer of 2012 as part of the Environmental Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates in Chemistry, Physics, and Material Science, where she worked in the Richmond Lab. Suzannah returned to UO in 2013 to pursue her PhD in Chemistry and officially joined the Johnson Lab in June 2014.
Suzannah is currently a postdoc at Los Alamos National Lab
Gavin Mitchson
A distance runner, Gavin attended undergraduate studies at Washington State University–Pullman earning his BS in Materials Engineering in 2011. Gavin first attended the University of Oregon in the summer of 2012 as part of the Material Science Institute’s Graduate Industrial Internship Program. He received his MS in Chemisty upon completing the semiconductor track of the MSI-GIIP after completing an internship in R&D at FEI Company in Hillsboro, OR. Gavin returned to UO in 2014 as a Transitional Fellow funded by the Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry and officially joined the Johnson Lab in Fall 2014 to pursue his PhD in Chemistry.
Gavin is currently employed at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
A former cyclocross racer and a bike enthusiast, Sage attended undergraduate studies at California State University–Sacramento earning his BS in Physics in 2012. Sage first attended the University of Oregon in the summer of 2012 as part of the Material Science Institute’s Graduate Industrial Internship Program. He received his MS in Applied Physics upon completing the semiconductor track of the MSI-GIIP after completing an internship with IBM. Sage returned to UO in 2013 as a Transitional Fellow funded by the Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry and officially joined the Johnson Lab in Fall 2013 to pursue his PhD in Chemistry.
Sage is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Jeff attended undergraduate studies at Pacific Lutheran University earning his BA in Chemistry (minor in Biology) in 2008. Jeff first attended the University of Oregon in the summer of 2010 as part of the Material Science Institute’s Graduate Industrial Internship Program. He received his MS in Chemistry upon completing the semiconductor track of the MSI-GIIP. Jeff worked at the Center for Advanced Materials Characterization in Oregon in the Nanofabrication and Charaterization Lab , where he became an expert in electron microscopy theory and applications and an expert operator of dual beam (focused ion beam/SEM) instruments including site-specific lift-out techniques for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample preparation . Jeff returned to UO in 2014 to pursue his PhD and officially joined the Johnson Lab.
Jeff is currently a process engineer at Hitachi.
Richard attended Idaho State University earning his BS in Chemistry in 2011 and M.S. in 2011. Richard received his PhD from the University of Oregon in Dec 2015. Richard’s doctoral work focused on synthesis and characterization of novel thin-film chalcogenide intergrowth materials by high vacuum (PVD) methods.
Richard is currently a process engineer at Intel in Hillsboro, OR.
Devin Merrill
Devin received his PhD from the University of Oregon in Nov 2015. Devin’s doctoral work focused on the stability, reactivity and constituent interaction of metastable intergrowth compounds synthesized by high vacuum (PVD) methods. While in the Johnson group, Devin was supported by the Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry.
Devin is currently working at Intel in Hillsboro, OR.
Noel Gunning
Noel attended The George Washington University earning his Bachelor’s in Chemistry in 2003 and M.S. in 2005. Noel received his Master’s degree from the University of Oregon in 2008 and his PhD in 2015. Noel’s doctoral work focused on synthesis and characterization of novel thin-film chalcogenide intergrowth materials by high vacuum (PVD) methods.
Noel is currently working at Intel.
Matti attended Illinois Institute of Technology earning here Bachelor’s in Chemistry in 2009. Matti first attended the University of Oregon in the summer of 2010 as part of the Material Science Institute’s Graduate Industrial Internship Program. She received his MS in Chemistry upon completing the polymer chemistry track of the MSI-GIIP. Matti received her PhD from the University of Oregon in 2015. Matti’s doctoral work focused on synthesis and characterization of novel thin-film chalcogenide intergrowth materials by high vacuum (PVD) methods. While at the UO, Matti was a founding member and President of the First NOBCChe Chapter in the Pacific Northwest.
Matti is currently a research associate at ExxonMobil.
Daniel Moore
Dan attended the University of Iowa earning his BS in Chemistry in 2007. Dan first attended the University of Oregon in the summer of 2008 as part of the Material Science Institute’s Graduate Industrial Internship Program. He received his MS in Chemistry upon completing the semiconductor chemistry track of the MSI-GIIP. Dan returned to UO in Jan 2010 to pursue his PhD and officially joined the Johnson Lab. Dan received his PhD from the University of Oregon in 2014. Dan’s doctoral work focused on synthesis and characterization of novel thin-film chalcogenide intergrowth materials by high vacuum (PVD) methods.
Dan is currently a process engineer at Intel in Hillsboro, OR.
Past Graduate Students:
Ryan Atkins
Undergraduate Students
Dylan Bardgett
Dylan joined the Johnson lab in winter of 2017. Dylan’s work focused transition metal dichalcogenide nanolaminates. Dylan is mentored by graduate student Danielle Hamann. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Northwestern University
Taryn Kam
Taryn joined the Johnson lab in the winter of 2018. Taryn worked with Dmitri Cordova on collaborations with Dreden and Drexel University to examine the growth process of ALD-films using XRF and worked on examining thin film dichalcogenides through the use of pair distribution function (PDF). As a senior, she continued to pursue research with Marisa Choffel to understand how Bi | Se layers nucleate in heterostructures. Taryn is currently completing her masters as part of the Master’s Industrial Internship Program at the University of Oregon.
Shannon Fender
Shannon joined the Johnson Lab in 2016. Shannon loves the color red and actively participates in UO’s Prison Education Program. Her work focused on the synthesis of heterostructures containing PbSe and VSe2 while working with Dmitri Cordova. Shannon is currently completing her internship as part of the Master’s Industrial Internship Program at the University of Oregon.
Jordan Joke
Jordan joined the Johnson Lab in fall term of 2016 while majoring in Human physiology. Jordan worked with mentor Danielle Hamann on the synthesis and characterization of transition metal dichalcogenide nanolaminates.
Jake Logan
Jake joined the Johnson Lab in fall term of 2016 while majoring in Human physiology. Jake’s work focused on transition metal dichalcogenide nanolaminates. Jake is mentored by graduate student Danielle Hamann.
Coleman Johnson
Coleman joined the lab in 2017 while majoring in Chemistry. He worked with Dmitri Cordova on crystallizing SnSe2-NbSe2 guided by the kinetics of nucleation and crystal growth.
Alex Lygo
Alex worked in the Johnson lab since the spring of his freshman year (2015). He focused his attention on investigating a class of compounds known as ferecrystals while double majoring in chemistry and physics. Alex’s work focused on the incorporation of topological insulator, Bi2Se3, into thin-film heterostructure nanolaminates synthesized by high vacuum (PVD) method. Alex works under the supervision of graduate student Danielle Hamann. Alex is now a graduate student at UC Santa Barbara’s materials science program.
Terence Tsai
Terence is a senior chemisty major, started working in the lab in 2017. Terence’s work is focused on converting VSe2 to more V-rich phases in the V-Se phase diagram and understanding the mechanism of formation of ferecrystalline binary compounds. Terence is now a chemistry graduate student at Case Western University.
Duncan Sutherland
Duncan graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry in 2015. While at UO, Duncan worked in the Johnson lab from Fall 2012 – July 2015, under the supervision of Devin Merrill. After graduating, Duncan entered the Advanced Materials Characterization and Analysis Master’s Program at UO. Duncan is currently an IT intern at the FEI Company in Hillsboro, OR.
Kim Ta
Kim graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry in 2015. While at UO, Kim worked in the Johnson lab, under the supervision of Matti Alemayhu. After graduating, she entered the chemistry PhD Program at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Visiting Scholars
Past Visiting Students include:
- Maria Hentschel (University of Cologne)
- Anna Hansen (Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel)
- Matthias Regus (Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel)
- Benjamin Eickmeier (University of Hamburg)
- Christine Koch (University of Kiel)
- Anders Bank Blichfeld (Aarhus University)
- Fabian Gohler (TU Chemnitz)
- Daniel Putzky (TU Chemnitz)