My research interests are fairly broad and fall into three categories. Students have been an integral part of various projects associated with these interests.
Understanding the reactivity of ions in the gas phase
My collaborations with the Air Force Research Laboratory and the University of Colorado focuses on studying kinetics and thermochemistry of gas phase ion-neutral reactions. General reactivity studies can identify reaction mechanisms and products of novel species. Thermochemical information, such as electron affinities, proton affinities, and gas phase acidities, can also be determined. The atmospheric implications of these processes can be determined by using these equations in larger atmospheric models.
Identification and quantification of organic compounds in archeological samples
Organic compounds are present in all living things. Identifying and quantifying compounds found in archeological samples can help characterize an archeological site. Several soil samples from various dig sites in Italy, including Orvieto, are being studied.
Science behind an arson investigation
A collaboration with an agent at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Professor William Ryerson (Biology Department) has resulted in a variety of projects studying fire dynamics and arson investigation. These projects include, but are not limited to, witness reliability, fire initiation dynamics, and heat release rate information.
