Research Interests:
My research explores the abiotic fate of agrochemicals in the aquatic environment.   I am currently interested specifically in the photochemical fate of herbicides identified by the USGS as emerging agrochemicals.   We have examined the photochemistry of imazethapyr, an imidazolinone herbicide in aqueous solution as a function of pH, NOM (natural organic matter) concentration, and wavelength of light.   We have also examined the photochemisry of imazethapyr when it is sorbed to plant (corn or soybean) waxes. We are currently funded by the National Science Foundation to extend this work to the entire family of imidazolinone herbicides (see "Research" tab). We are also still working on the the photochemistry of compounds such as nicosulfuron, a sulfonylurea herbicide, and flumetsulam.  

This work involves a variety of analytical techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and ion chromatography.   In addition, time is spent on developing data analysis and kinetic modeling skills. Our group of undergraduate students has presented their work at national, regional, and local meetings and has written a peer-reviewed journal article on the photochemsity of imazethapyr (Link to ACS Article).   
 

Education:
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Purdue University, 2006
Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 2005
B.S., Chemistry, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, 2001