Principal Investigator
Andrew J. Wilson
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
Email: aj.wilson [at] louisville.edu
Phone: (502) 852-9279
Office: CHEM 151
Graduate Students
Md Al Amin (md.alamin [at] louisville.edu) CV
M.S. North Carolina A&T State University, 2020
M.S. Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, 2011
B.S. Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, 2009
I completed my B.S. (2009) and M.S. (2011) in chemistry from the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet, Bangladesh. I worked as a Quality Control Chemist for three more years in the pharmaceutical industry. I also worked as a Lecturer in Chemistry at a community college. I moved to North Carolina, USA, to pursue my M.S. in Nanoengineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (2020). During my free time, I like to read and listen to music. My research is focused on catalysis using plasmonic nanostructures and electrochemistry.
Nov. 2020 - present
Nawaraj Karki (nawaraj.karki [at] louisville.edu) CV
M.S. Middle Tennessee State University, 2020
M.S. Birendra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, 2015
B.S. Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, 2013
I completed my M.S. in Chemistry in 2015 from Tribhuvan University. I moved to the United States in 2019 to pursue a M.S. degree from Middle Tennessee State University. At MTSU, I worked on developing biosensors using silicon nanowires. My thesis research was based on electrochemical detection of dopamine with p-doped silicon nanowires. I completed my M.S. in 2020 and am now pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Louisville. My research is focused on mass transport effects in electrocatalysis.
Jan. 2021 - present
Dec. 2022 - present
Johann Hemmer (johann.hemmer [at] louisville.edu) CV
M.S. Univali, 2023
B.S.E. Univali, 2019
Johann Hemmer lived most of his life in the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina in Southern Brazil, where he received his BSE in Chemical Engineering from Univali (2019), working under Dr. Gizelle Almerindo on the heterogeneous catalytic deactivation of chemical weapons. After graduating, he worked for 3 years in Univali’s Central Analytical Lab overseeing the Chromatography Sector. Concomitantly, he pursued his MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences under Dr. Clovis Rodrigues in the same institution with an emphasis in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry. In Fall 2022, Hemmer joined the University of Louisville’s Ph.D. program, where he is a member of the Wilson Lab. His research aims to reduce ensemble averaging in electrocatalysis measurements to provide mechanistic understanding at the single entity level.
May 2023 - present
Amandeep Kaur (amandeep.kaur [at] louisville.edu) CV
M.S. Guru Nanak Dev University, 2019
B.S. Guru Nanak Dev University, 2017
I was born and raised in Punjab, India. I completed my B.S. in 2017 from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India. Afterwards, I completed my master’s in chemistry from the same university in 2019. Then, I served as a mentor to undergraduate students in BBK DAV College, Amritsar, India from 2019 to 2022. There, along with teaching, I did research on the synthesis, surface modification, and colloidal stability of nanoparticles and study extraction of nanoparticles using iron oxide nanoparticles. In 2023, I joined the University of Louisville as a graduate student to pursue a Ph.D. In the Wilson Lab my research is focused on spectroscopic detection of intermediates and products in electrocatalytic reactions. In my leisure time I like to listen to music, read, and spend time with my family.
Fredrick Lisili Mufoyongo (fredrick.mufoyongo [at] louisville.edu) CV
B.Ed. (Science) University of Nairobi, 2018
I was born and raised in Kenya. I completed my bachelor's degree in education (science) in 2018 from the University of Nairobi. I worked as a chemistry and mathematics tutor at Averroes Tuition Centre in Nairobi for four years. I joined the University of Louisville in January of 2023 to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry. My research explores using magnetic fields to enhance electrocatalytic nitrate reduction. I am passionate about athletics and I take pleasure in engaging in outdoor activities.
May 2023 - present
Jan. 2024 - present
Amanda Borden (amanda.borden [at] louisville.edu) CV
B.S. Georgetown College, 2007
Amanda earned her BS in Chemistry from Georgetown College in 2007 under the supervision of Carnegie Foundations 2006 Chemistry Professor of the year Dr. Frank Wiseman. She began her post graduate career as a Quality Control Chemist at a cGMP regulated pharmaceutical company located in Paris, KY. After nearly a decade at the same company, she went to work for the Commonwealth of Kentucky where she served as the Coordinator of the Chemical Terrorism Response team and as an Environmental Chemist with Public Health. As part of her coordinator duties, she worked with the KY National Guard's WMD Civil Support Team, as well as the FBI. At both employers, Amanda’s work consisted of a wide variety of analytical testing using numerous instruments and testing compendia. She is currently working as the Chemistry & Safety Stockroom Manager at UofL while pursuing her MS in Chemistry under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Wilson and Dr. Morgan Balabanoff.
Nov. 2024 - present
Astha Jain (astha.jain [at] louisville.edu)
M.S. Banasthali University, 2022
B.S. Banasthali University, 2020
Astha was born and raised in Rajasthan, India. She completed her B.S. and M.S. from Banasthali University, India. Then, she served as a Junior Research Fellow at IIT Banaras, where her research centered on the synthesis and characterization of glass-ceramics. Next, she worked as a Junior Research Fellow at IIT Delhi in the Electro-analytical and Material Research Group of Dr. Pravin P. Ingole, where she learned various synthetic methods and electro-analytical techniques for the characterization of catalysts utilized in energy conversion and storage processes. In Fall 2024, Astha joined the University of Louisville’s Ph.D. program, where she is a member of the Wilson Lab. Her research aims to utilize temperature gradients and hot charge carriers generated from plasmon excitation to enhance electrocatalytic reactions.
Undergraduate Students
Colin Ackerman
Colin is a second-year undergraduate student who has studied ionic liquids in electrochemical CO2 reduction and is currently investigating ways to increase the non-radiative decay channel in plasmonics to enhance plasmon-assisted electrochemical reactions.
Jan. 2024 - present
Eliana Purcell
Eliana is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a chemistry degree with a Spanish minor. She has an interest in inorganic chemistry and electrocatalysis and is studying plasmon-enhanced electrochemical ethanol oxidation to examine the selectivity of ethanol oxidation with and without plasmon excitation. She is a follower of Jesus, enjoys hanging out with friends, and is involved in a homeless outreach group called Homeland.
Jan. 2025 - present