[PAST EVENT] Cheminar "Fundamental Reaction Kinetics Studies for Low-Temp Astrochemistry" L. Dodson, Univ MD

February 2, 2024
3pm - 4pm
Location
Integrated Science Center (ISC), Room 1127
540 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, VA 23185Map this location
text slide describing seminar title and presenter's information

"Fundamental Reaction Kinetics Studies for Low-Temperature Astrochemistry Applications"

Many new molecules discovered in astrophysical objects are outlandish by traditional perspectives: long linear unsaturated carbon chains, metals in surprising charge states, and strained ring structures have challenged chemists to think beyond terrestrial conventions in explaining how these molecules form and react, and where they fit into the overall cycle of planetary and stellar evolution. The challenge to the community is to study this exotic chemistry under the relevant physical conditions—most importantly the low temperatures of space. In this talk, Dodson describes two orthogonal research projects occurring in her group that are unified by their study of the fundamental physical processes that impact low-temperature (down to 10 K) experiments.

Leah Dodson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Maryland. She started her independent career at Maryland in 2019, where her group studies the reactivity, spectroscopy, and dynamics of exotic chemical systems at low temperatures (down to 10 K) inspired by discoveries in astrochemistry, as well as atmospheric and energy sciences. She received her BS in Chemistry (2010) at Case Western Reserve University , her PhD (2016) from the California Institute of Technology studying the spectroscopy and kinetics of reactive species in atmospheric and combustion systems. After her degree, she moved to Colorado where she was a NIST NRC Postdoc working with to develop cryogenic ion spectroscopy techniques at JILA.

Snacks available before the seminar!


Sponsored by: Chemistry Department

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