WELCOME TO THE
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Welcome to the 2025 cohort of Carolina Chemistry graduate students! We are looking for highly motivated graduate student researchers interested in our surfaces subgroup (1 or 2) and our cells subgroup (0 or 1). The surfaces subgroup projects will focus on carbon-based electrodes for (photo)electrosynthesis and measuring wetting dynamics of chemically functionalized electrodes. The cells subgroup project will focus on developing (microfluidic, 3D culture) liver models to quantify cellular metabolism. If you are interested please contact Matt or anyone else on the team!
Research Interests and Pursuits
The chemical underpinnings of the complex phenomena occurring in biological systems and at the interface of chemically modified electrodes require model systems whose microenvironment can be exquisitely controlled. The insights gained from these models are only as good as the measurements we can make, requiring the adaptation of current techniques (or the generation of new ones) to acquire accurate values with system-relevant resolution, selectivity, sensitivity.
Our intellectual pursuits are not driven by a single measurement technique but rather by questions and curiosities. These pursuits require team members to think deeply and broadly about science in a holistic manner, integrating concepts from disciplines that expand beyond chemistry to include biomedical engineering, cellular and molecular biology, materials and surface science, and toxicology.
The chemical underpinnings of the complex phenomena occurring in biological systems and at the interface of chemically modified electrodes require model systems whose microenvironment can be exquisitely controlled. The insights gained from these models are only as good as the measurements we can make, requiring the adaptation of current techniques (or the generation of new ones) to acquire accurate values with system-relevant resolution, selectivity, sensitivity.
Our intellectual pursuits are not driven by a single measurement technique but rather by questions and curiosities. These pursuits require team members to think deeply and broadly about science in a holistic manner, integrating concepts from disciplines that expand beyond chemistry to include biomedical engineering, cellular and molecular biology, materials and surface science, and toxicology.
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Tissue-on-Demand Structures
Platform development. Cellular and tissue-level processes are regulated by their microenvironment, which consists of spatially and temporally dynamic gradients of abiotic factors such as oxygen, pH, and secreted signaling molecules. Using porous scaffolds and microfabricated devices we develop tissue-like structures with physiologically relevant architectures, extracellular matrices, and microenvironments. Basic biology studies. Using tissue-on-demand structures we quantify oxygen's role in regulating estrogen signaling, the post-differentiation of hepatocytes, and directing cellular movement. Translational studies. The tissue-on-demand structures are employed for toxicological and pharmacological studies, including the identification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that induce the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast tumor models and the quantification of drug-drug interactions in liver models. |
Rationally designed (photo) electrode surface chemistries
Overarching theme. The chemical composition of a surface dictates many of its physical and chemical properties. We develop attachment chemistries and surface patterning techniques to impart desired electron transfer rates, catalytic activities, and stabilities of covalently attached electroactive molecules. Lateral interactions. Electrostatic repulsions can cause immobilized mono- or multilayer films to rearrange. When charged molecules cannot physically separate on a surface, lateral interactions can cause unwanted reactions (e.g., dimerization of metal centers from appended catalysts). We develop model systems to study the origins of these unwanted reactions. Solar fuel applications. We apply our surface chemistries to design hybrid photocathodes, comprised of molecular catalysts immobilized on the surface of light-absorbing semiconductor electrodes. We use a design-test-refine model to develop surface chemistries to rationally install function into these photoelectrodes. |
Core Values and Expectations
We value the creativity that comes from a laboratory environment where everyone's ideas are welcomed and valued. We believe the best way to develop the out-of-the-box approaches needed to solve complex scientific problems is to value each individual while promoting the importance of the team.
We have a zero tolerance policy against oppression of any kind, including but not limited to sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and xenophobia. Everyone is welcome and celebrated in this safe space, where each of us works to support and promote each other. Each of us works to acknowledge and educate ourselves and others on unconscious biases, missteps, and misspeaks.
We value the creativity that comes from a laboratory environment where everyone's ideas are welcomed and valued. We believe the best way to develop the out-of-the-box approaches needed to solve complex scientific problems is to value each individual while promoting the importance of the team.
We have a zero tolerance policy against oppression of any kind, including but not limited to sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and xenophobia. Everyone is welcome and celebrated in this safe space, where each of us works to support and promote each other. Each of us works to acknowledge and educate ourselves and others on unconscious biases, missteps, and misspeaks.
The Latest News
06.2025
05.2025
04.2025
03.2025
06.2025
- Check out Andre's laterst paper in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. This work was part of the CHASE Center and in collaboration with the Castellano and Cahoon Labs. Congrats Andre and Taylor on our newest paper!
05.2025
- Matt's scientific journey was highlighted in Annual Reviews of Analytical Chemistry, in "Roots of Innovation in Analytical Chemistry". A warm thank you to the authors of this article for including our lab in this list of awe-inspiring Analytical Chemistry faculty.
- We are excited to celebrate the graduation of Anna, Ociel, and Carolina Class of 2025!
- Damaris is awarded the Jackson-Chapel Research Fellowship and will continue working on her research project over the summer. Congrats Damaris!
04.2025
- Congrats to Tre and David on completing their (successful) literature seminars!
- Congrats to Ryan on passing his oral exam!
- Congrats to Anna on the successful defense of her Honors thesis (she will receive highest honors at graduation)!!!
03.2025
- Congrats to Ryan and former lab members Abel, Ian, and Pearl on their latest paper in Toxicological Sciences!
- Check out our latest collaborative work in JACS with the Cahoon Lab (as part of CHASE). Congrats to Taylor on this recent publication!
- Labapalooza for the surfaces side of the lab at the ACS National Meeting in San Diego with:
- Alexis and Andre giving talks!
- Anna, David, and Tre presenting posters!
- Tre presents "Electrochemical Performance of Hybrid Photoelectrode Architectures Prepared by Electrografting Mono- or Multilayer Aryl Diazonium Films onto Silicon Surfaces" at the Critical Materials Symposium at UNC Greensboro