Education
B.S. in Chemistry (2018)
Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
M.S. in Chemistry (2018)
Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Advisor: Dr. M. Nee
Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry (In Progress)
University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Advisor: Dr. G. Richmond
Research Project
Oil-water interfaces are present in many systems ranging from foods to chemical dispersants. The functionality of these systems is intimately related to their interfacial properties and can be tuned with surface-active agents. To accomplish this, catanionic (a mixture of a cationic and anionic) surfactants are commonly used. Adjusting the mixture tunes the electrostatic interactions of the catanionic surfactant and influences its adsorptive behavior at the interface. The attractive electrostatic interactions of catanionic surfactants uniquely influence the overall adsorptive behavior, compared to pure surfactants. I use vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy to examine the molecular structure, conformation, and the local chemical environment upon adsorption of a cationic surfactant at the planar oil-water interface under various conditions. The results of these studies aid in deriving a fundamental understanding of how catanionic surfactants influence the interfacial properties of the oil-water mixtures.
My Free Time
I love to be in the outdoors and to rock climb! I also enjoy sitting down with a cup of coffee and write program scripts, which is super useful for my research!