Louise Charkoudian

Chemical biology and biochemistry  We develop and apply concepts and techniques of organic chemistry, biochemistry, bioinformatics and biophysics to understand how bacteria and fungi use protein assembly lines to build structurally complex molecules that can be repurposed as antibiotics and anti-cancer agents. We also conduct educational research to understand factors that influence student learning in science education.  Learn more about our research here or reach out to me at lcharkou@haverford.edu.

Casey Londergan

Biophysical chemistry  My group develops and applies new physical techniques, based on IR and Raman spectroscopy, to better understand conformational flexibility and dynamics in proteins, and to reveal the dynamic molecular basis of biochemical function and disease-related protein dysfunction.  We are in the beginning stages of developing new imaging capabilities based on Raman scattering, and we also do computational molecular dynamics simulations to help interpret our experimental results.  clonderg@haverford.edu

My group adds new students throughout the year. I anticipate a group size of 4-ish students for summer 2026, with possible new research students.

Alex Norquist

Solid-state chemistry   My research interests are focused on the synthesis of new solid state materials with desirable physical properties.  We  focus on the intersection of exploratory syntheses and machine learning in materials discovery: our methods include mild hydro- and solvo-thermal techniques and the use of automated robotic platforms to create new materials.  anorquis@haverford.edu

Gordon Peterson

Solid-state and Materials Chemistry. Our group is interested in how the crystal structures of intermetallics and semiconductors relate to physical properties, especially the transport of heat and electricity. We employ high-temperature solid-state synthesis, crystallography, first-principles computations, and machine learning to discover, characterize, and interpret new materials with energy applications. 

Please send me an email (gpeterson1@haverford.edu) if you're interested in joining the group!

Leah Seebald

Organic synthesis and chemical biology My lab is broadly interested in the development of new chemical tools to support biological research. My research leverages organic synthesis and rational chemical design to create new biological probes (bio-probes) that enable selective targeting of biological macromolecules from complex cellular environments. In particular, I am interested in generating libraries of compounds comprising electrophilic moieties through diversity-oriented synthesis. I am also interested in investigating new synthetic strategies for making complex bacterial sugars. You can email me at lseebald@haverford.edu if you want to discuss more!

Helen White

Environmental chemistry  My research explores the persistence of human‐derived compounds in the marine environment, specifically those from oil and plastic waste. I am interested in understanding how the chemical structure, physical associations and the bioavailability of chemical compounds determines their cycling and eventual fate. I am currently working on a transdisciplinary research project Inhabited Sea to examine how plastics and oil in coastal cities create new habitats for plants, animals and humans. To learn about my published research, you can view my google scholar profile here.  Professor White is currently serving as Provost and therefore does not have availability for new students

Here are some faculty in other departments with active research groups and interests that overlap directly with Chemistry and related areas.  Interested students are invited to contact them directly!

Amy Cooke (Biology)

Biochemistry: RNA binding proteins and post-transcriptional regulation. My research aims to understand the mechanisms of RNA control, and its roles in cellular processes and disease. All biological processes rely on precise control of the genetic material. The control of RNA, the immediate product of DNA, is vital. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) dictate which mRNAs are regulated, and how, when and where that regulation occurs within a cell. The roles of RBPs and RNA in biology are incontrovertible: their dysfunctions cause disease, including cancer, epilepsy and obesity. The challenge now is to understand their molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways to understand how they underlie key events in biology and disease.    

The richness of the problem lies in the staggeringly large number of ways RBPs can exert their control, and the revelation that their effects can vary from RNA to RNA, cell to cell, in health vs. disease. We address these questions using a range of approaches, from molecular biology to biochemistry to genomics and mass spectrometry. 

Steve Ndengue (Physics)

Computational chemical physics.  My research in computational chemical physics is in the area of Molecular Quantum Dynamics. I simulate the motion of atoms and molecules with the Schrodinger equation to understand or predict the outcome of their interaction with each other, with light or laser, or with a surface. Many of the methods and algorithms used to simulate those processes are somehow well-known but due to some limitations require some improvements. A recent focus in my group is the development of new methods (or improving old ones) to address those limitations. Some goals are a better understand the atmospheric photochemistry, interstellar abundance of molecules, heterogeneous catalysis or even cold and ultracold chemistry with prospective applications in quantum computing. You can see my recent publications or check the website of my group  (in transformation). Schedule a meeting if your research interests overlap with mine. My email: sndengue@haverford.edu.  

Kristen Whalen (Biology)

Marine biochemistry. As a chemical ecologist, I investigate how natural products that marine organisms produce alter organismal interactions in an ecological context. I am interested in both the physiological and biochemical responses which regulate chemical tolerance and susceptibility. Using knowledge of organismal chemical defense mechanisms at the molecular level, I design biological assays to search for and identify marine natural products that may interact with these drug targets in order to develop new therapeutics. Current grants in the lab are investigating how bacteria sense their chemical environment when in symbiosis with marine phytoplankton using chemical biosensors. We also have funding from the NIH to mine the genomes of marine bacteria for new peptide-based antibiotics to treat human pathogens. 

(kwhalen1@haverford.edu) (she/her)

More information on the lab can be found here, recent publications can be found here, more information on the Biology Info Hub can be found here.