Faculty from the Clemson University Department of Chemistry are excited to give research seminars in a wide variety of traditional and interdisciplinary areas of chemistry targeted toward undergraduate audiences. A complete list of seminar topics and titles is provided below. In addition to in-person or virtual research seminars, we also provide virtual question-and-answer sessions with a panel of graduate students who can answer specific questions about careers in chemistry and life in the Clemson graduate program. These virtual panels can be scheduled to both follow a research seminar or independently. For in-person seminars, the Clemson Department of Chemistry is happy to provide financial assistance for travel and accommodations of our faculty.
If you would like to schedule a research seminar with or without a graduate student question-and-answer session, please contact individual faculty members using the email links below. If you would like to schedule a graduate student panel independently of a research seminar, please contact our Graduate Student Coordinator at chemistry@clemson.edu.
Dr. Jeffrey Anker (janker@clemson.edu) — Analytical Chemistry
The Anker group uses combination of optical spectroscopy and nanoparticle devices to study chemical and biophysical processes.
Dr. Leah Casabianca (lcasabi@clemson.edu) — Physical Chemistry
Research in the Casabianca group focuses on using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to study the interactions between nanomaterials and biological molecules.
Dr. George Chumanov (gchumak@clemson.edu) — Analytical / Physical Spectroscopy
The Chumanov group works on preparation and modification of different nanoparticles, including one-, two- and three-dimensional regular structures; investigation of their properties using different spectrochemical techniques together with optical, electron, atomic force and scanning tunneling microscopy; and development of new materials and devices for environmental and biomedical diagnostic applications.
Dr. Stephen E. Creager (screage@clemson.edu) — Analytical / Electrochemistry
Dr. Creager’s research is in the general area of electrochemical science with an emphasis on electrochemical energy storage and conversion. Much of his research involves fluoropolymer materials for polyelectrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells that convert chemical fuels such as hydrogen into electrical energy.
Dr. Brian Dominy (dominy@clemson.edu) — Physical / Computational Chemistry
Dr. Dominy's research involves the development and application of molecular mechanics and bioinformatics techniques to explore the physical chemical basis of biological phenomena at the molecular level. Specifically, the group focuses on applications relevant to medicine, including drug design and biomolecular evolution of drug targets (i.e., drug resistance).
Dr. Carlos Garcia (cdgarci@clemson.edu) — Analytical Chemistry
The Garcia group is focused on the study of interactions of proteins with nanostructured surfaces and their use in analytical chemistry. Additionally, he is developing microfluidic devices to monitor biologically active compounds.
Dr. R. Kenneth Marcus (marcusr@clemson.edu) — Analytical / Spectrochemical Analysis
The major focus of the Marcus group is the development and application of new plasma techniques for atomic emission and mass spectrometry instrumentation. The use of novel polymer fibers towards separations of proteins and bionanoparticles is also a primary focus.
Dr. Jason McNeill (mcneill@clemson.edu) — Physical / Analytical Chemistry
The McNeil group is developing novel probes for advanced fluorescence applications based on nanoparticles consisting of one or more conjugated polymer molecules.
Dr. Dvora Perahia (dperahi@clemson.edu) — Physical / Analytical Chemistry
Research in Dr. Perahia's group focuses on complex soft systems using both experimental and computational tools. Controlling the structure and motion of molecules in soft materials will enable design of new materials for technologies from drug delivery and biosensors to clean energy and nanoelectronics.
Dr. Steven J. Stuart (ss@clemson.edu) — Physical / Computational Chemistry
Research activities in Dr. Stuart's laboratory involve computer simulations of complex systems. The group is interested in modeling problems such as the reactivity in condensed-phase hydrocarbons and liquid water or the chemical effects that contribute to friction and the development of novel computer algorithms for molecular simulations.
Dr. Dev P. Arya (dparya@clemson.edu) — Organic / Bio-organic Chemistry
The Arya group focuses on understanding, design, and discovery of new motifs for the molecular recognition of biological macromolecules for development of novel antibiotics.
Dr. Julia Brumaghim (brumagh@clemson.edu) — Bioinorganic / Coordination Chemistry
The Brumaghim group explores oxidative DNA damage and how antioxidants can prevent this damage by examining interactions of metal ions, antioxidants, and DNA using a variety of interdisciplinary analytical, DNA-based, and cellular techniques.
Dr. Shiou-Jyh Hwu (shwu@clemson.edu) — Inorganic / Solid State Chemistry
Dr. Hwu’s research involves (1) the synthesis of solids containing confined transition-metal-oxide frameworks, (2) electrochemical synthesis of conducting solids in nonaqueous media, and (3) synthesis of a new class of hybrid materials via salt inclusion.
Dr. Byoungmoo Kim (byoungk@clemson.edu) — Organic Chemistry
Dr. Kim’s research interests center on the development of selective functionalizations of bioactive molecules by discovering new catalytic transformations and designing innovative catalysts.
Dr. Joseph W. Kolis (kjoseph@clemson.edu) — Inorganic / Solid State Chemistry
Dr. Kolis' group studies the synthesis and chemistry of novel inorganic compounds with unusual structures and properties. The group is particularly interested in chemistry under very unusual reaction conditions, such as with very high temperatures and pressures or in exotic solvents.
Dr. Bill Pennington (billp@clemson.edu) — Inorganic Chemistry / Crystal Engineering
Dr. Pennington's research is focused on the crystal chemistry of materials involving halogen bonding (Lewis acid-Lewis base interactions).
Dr. Sourav Saha (souravs@clemson.edu) — Organic / Supramolecular & Materials Chemistry
The interdisciplinary research endeavors in the Saha group focus on developing stimuli-responsive functional materials, such as metal–organic frameworks and other supramolecular assemblies that can transport charge carriers (electrons and ions), produce and store clean energy, detect toxic chemicals, and targeted transport and delivery of drugs and nutrients in our bodies.
Dr. Rhett Smith (rhett@clemson.edu) — Organic / Organic Materials
Professor Smith’s group works in the broad areas of sustainable building materials and energy generation. The team is especially interested in valorization of waste materials, plastics recycling, and replacing traditional plastics with plant-derived alternatives.
Dr. Ya-Ping Sun (syaping@clemson.edu) — Organic / Inorganic / Polymer Chemistry
Research in the Sun group is centered on the following three areas: (1) carbon nanotubes and nanosheets and related nanocomposite materials for novel electrical and thermal properties and applications, (2) carbon dots as a new class of photoactive nanomaterials for optical bioimaging and other fundamental development and technological applications, and (3) nanoenergetics and novel materials for new energy initiatives.
Dr. Andy Tennyson (atennys@clemson.edu) — Organometallic / Materials Chemistry
Tennyson Lab research harnesses redox chemistry to address unsolved challenges in medicine and environmental remediation. Our highly interdisciplinary projects lie at the interface of classical organometallic catalysis with biomaterials, oxidative stress, and sustainable building materials.
Dr. Thao Tran (thao@clemson.edu) — Inorganic / Solid-State / Materials Chemistry
Research in the Tran laboratory focuses on addressing challenges in the functional properties of complex optical, magnetic and electronic materials for twenty-first century technologies by applying design-driven materials and chemistry approaches.
Dr. Joseph S. Thrasher (thrash5@clemson.edu) — Inorganic / Analytical / Polymer Chemistry
Dr. Thrasher’s research involves preparation, characterization, and utility of novel sulfur-fluorine compounds; industrial fluorine chemistry including agro- and pharmaceutical intermediates, fluoropolymer chemistry, and electrochemistry; fluorine-containing molten salts/ionic liquids; fluorous media to improve separations and catalysis; batteries and fuel cell technology; new analytical methodology development in fluorine chemistry; and computational chemistry.
Dr. Marek Urban (mareku@clemson.edu) — Materials Science and Engineering
Dr. Urban is a faculty member in Materials Science and Engineering with a joint appointment in Chemistry. His research focuses on the development of multi-phase stimuli-responsive nanomaterials as well as polymers capable of autonomous self-healing. Using chemical imaging and an array of other spectroscopic and macroscopic tools, the Urban group develops new generations of materials with adaptable, sensing, and signaling properties.
Dr. Modi Wetzler (mwetzle@clemson.edu) — Organic Chemistry / Ligand Design
The Wetzler group uses synthetic organic and peptide chemistry to explore (1) bioorganic and peptidomimetic chemistry for medicinal and materials applications and (2) modular ligand design for f-element chemistry.
Dr. Daniel Whitehead (dwhiteh@clemson.edu) — Organic Chemistry
The Whitehead group leverages synthetic organic chemistry to explore three focus areas: (1) new reaction methodology, (2) materials chemistry, and (3) bio-organic chemistry.
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