Group members

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Fellow

B.Sc. & M.Sc. Chemistry

University of Central Florida

Ilana's project deals with the redox transformations and speciation of radio-iodine influenced by redox active minerals, as well as incorporation of anionic contaminants in mineral phases. Ilana's work has been recognized at national level: ACS Award in Environmental Chemistry & DOE Innovations in Nuclear Energy Research & Development Award.

National Nuclear Security 

Administration PATH Fellow

B.Sc. Chemistry

Truman State University

Zach is studying the stability of uranium dioxide and uranyl peroxide phases affected by ligands in the near- and far field and how the incorporation of actinides and fission products in studtite affects its structure and properties. Zach received the 2024 Roy G. Post Scholarship Awards for his work.

Department of Homeland Security Fellow

B.Sc. Chemistry

University of Central Florida

Lucy is investigating elemental and spectroscopic signatures of uranium dioxides that can act as provenance fingerprints for pre-detonation material as well as their fate in radiological debris after mimicking explosion conditions in the lab. Lucy  received full sponsorship for the 2024 Women in Nuclear Summit. 

National Nuclear Security Administration Fellow

B.Sc. Chemistry

St. Mary's College of Maryland

Austin's studies focus on the synthesis and characterization of surrogate nuclear explosion debris using sol-gel synthesis and high energy-temperature laser system which mimics explosion chemistry and physics . Of particular interest is the elemental fractionation of radionuclides in the debris in the presence of urban materials.

Department of Defense SMART Scholar

B.Sc. Chemistry, Western Carolina University

M.Sc. Chemistry, University of Mississippi

Joey (Captain Joseph Lee) works on the determination of thermodynamic and formation constants between actinides and organic ligands, with emphasis on siderophores and hydroxamates. He is also working on liquid-liquid extractions of actinide complexes.    

Department of Homeland Security Fellow

National GEM Fellow

B.Sc. Chemistry

University of Central Florida

David's project deals with uranium dioxide synthesis under high temperatures in the presence of transition metals, comparison with commercial samples and tracing of those signatures in post-detonation debris of radiological dispersive devices. 

B.Sc. Chemistry

University of Central Florida

Zach is studying the kinetics and the mechanism of the oxidative dissolution of Tc-99 by redox active aqueous complexes under anoxic conditions and the subsequent fate and transport of Tc-99 in the environment.