Group
Back row (left to right): Alex Huffman, Alex Volkova, Caleb Matteson, Max Palay
Middle row: Rachel Davey, Maxwell Freeman, Grace Strasheim
Front row: Kate Patterson, Kassidy East, Angelica Arana
(January 14, 2020)
Previous group pictures
Members
Google Scholar Publication List (h-index: 43, i10-index: 61, total citations > 12,500)
Publons / ResearcherID A-7449-2010 (h-index: 39, i10-index: 51, total citations > 9,000)
ORCID 0000-0002-5363-9516
Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Univ. Colorado at Boulder, 2008 (Adviser: Jose Jimenez)
B.S. in Chemistry, Pepperdine Univ., 1999
Research: Environmental chemistry; atmospheric particle characterization (lab and field)
Personal Interests: Family, travel, outdoor sports (esp. running, cycling, skiing, camping, fishing)
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Research homepage, DU portfolio
Phone: (303) 871-4404
Fax: (303) 871-2254
Associate Professor
Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Univ. Denver, Dec. 2011 - present
J. Alex Huffman, Ph.D.
Graduate Students
Rachel Davey
B.S. in Chemistry, Univ. North Carolina - Wilmington, 2017
Research: Pollen protein nitration
Publication(s): [53] Alhalwani et al., Proteins: Struct., Funct., Bioinf., 2019.
Personal Interests: Travel, running, hiking with my dog
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Career Goals: Further research in bioanalytical chemistry
Group Member: Mar. 2018 - present (Ph.D. student)
Phone: (303) 871-4426
Maxwell Freeman B.S. in Physics and Chemistry, Stanford University, 2018
Research: Fluorescence spectrometer development
Personal Interests: tennis, cooking
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Career Goals: engage in research toward the development of renewable energy technologies
Group Member: Dec. 2019 - present (Ph.D. student)
Phone: (303) 871-4426
Aleksandra (Alex) Volkova B.S. in Environmental Chemistry, Univ. California, San Diego, 2015
M.S. in Chemistry, California State University, Northridge, 2019
Research: Cloud condensation nuclei detection
Personal Interests: dogs and other animals, nature, history, travel, and video games
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Career Goals: atmospheric chemistry research
Group Member: Jul. 2019 - present (Ph.D. student)
Phone: (303) 871-4426
Undergraduate Students
Career Goals:
Group Member: Sep. 2019 - present
Angelica Arana Univ. Denver, Biochemistry (Class of 2022)
Project(s): Protein nitration
Hometown: Austin, TX
Career Goals: Further education in environmental chemistry
Group Member: Aug. 2019 - present
Kassidy East Regis University, Chemistry (Class of 2021)
Project(s): Protein nitration
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Career Goals:
Group Member: Sep. 2019 - present
Caleb Matteson Univ. Denver, Chemistry (Class of 2022)
Project(s): Particle fluorescence instrumentation
Hometown: CO
Career Goals:
Group Member: Jan. 2020 - present
Max Palay Univ. Denver, Biochemistry (Class of 2022)
Hometown: Mesa, AZ
Career Goals:
Group Member: Sep. 2018 - present
Kate Patterson Univ. Denver, Environmental Chemistry (Class of 2021)
Project(s): Bioaerosol tracers
Hometown:
Career Goals:
Group Member: Sep. 2019 - present
Grace Strasheim Univ. Denver, Chemistry and Computer Science (Class of 2022)
Project(s): Fluorescence instrumentation and analysis
Hometown: Arvada, CO
Group Alumni
Former Graduate Students (in reverse order of graduation)
Benjamin Swanson Degree: Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Denver, December 2019
Thesis: "Development and Characterization of an Inexpensive Single-Particle Fluorescence Spectrometer for Detection and Classification of Pollen and Other Bioaerosols"
Publication(s): [42] D.R. Huffman et al., Atmos. Meas. Tech., 2016; [49] Swanson et al., Optics Express, 2018
Group Member: Mar. 2014 - Jul. 2019
Immediately After Group: Postdoctoral scientist in group of Prof. Amanda Frossard at Univ. Georgia
Hometown: Titusville, PA
College: B.S. in Chemistry, Univ. of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2013
Amani Alhalwani Degree: Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Denver, June 2018
Thesis: "The Investigation of Lactoferrin Nitration: Quantification, Function, and Inhibition" (Link)
Publication(s): [48] Alhalwani et al., Anal. Bioanal. Chem, 2017; [53] Alhalwani et al., Proteins: Struct., Funct., Bioinf., 2019.
Group Member: Mar. 2013 - Jun. 2018
Immediately After Group:
Hometown: Jeddah, Saudia Arabia
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Chemistry, Univ. of Southampton, Southampton, U.K., 2011
B.Sc. in Chemistry, King Abdulaziz Univ., Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 2002
Nicole Savage Degree: M.S. in Chemistry, Univ. Denver, August 2017
Thesis: "Improved Characterization and Analysis Strategies for UV-LIF Bioaerosol Instrumentation: Lab and Field Application" (Link)
Publication(s): [47] Savage et al., Atmos. Meas. Tech., 2017; [50] Könemann et al., Atmos. Meas. Tech, 2018.; [51] Savage et al., Atmos. Meas. Tech., 2018; [52] Könemann et al., Atmos. Meas. Tech, 2019; [55] Huffman et al., Aerosol Sci Tech., 2019.
Group Member: Mar. 2015 - Aug. 2017 (M.S. student); Aug. 2017 - Dec. 2018 (Research Associate, part-time)
Immediately After Group: Staff scientist at Aerosol Devices, Inc.
Hometown: Rome, NY
College: B.S. in Chemistry, St. John Fisher College, 2014
Marie Gosselin: M.S. in Chemistry, University of Denver, August 2017
Thesis: "Quantification of Airborne Fungal Spores Comparing Molecular Tracers via Ion Chromatography and UV-LIF Methods" (Link)
Publication(s): [44] Gosselin et al., Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2016
Group Member: Mar. 2012 - Jun. 2014 (B.S. student); Aug. 2014 - Aug. 2017 (M.S. student); Aug. - Dec. 2017 (Research Associate)
Immediately After Group: Field specialist at Air Resource Specialists (current as of 3/2018)
Hometown: Chicopee, MA
College: B.S. in Environmental Chemistry, University of Denver, 2014
Jixiao (Yuri) LiDegree: M.S. Chemistry, University of Denver, June 2015
Thesis: "Fluorescent Biological Aerosol Particles in Coastal Canada and the Link to Atmospheric Ice Nuclei" (Link)
Publication(s): [38] Mason et al., Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2015; [40] Ladino et al., Atmos. Environ., 2016
Group Member: Jun. 2013 - Jul. 2015
Immediately After Group: Quality control chemist; Lee Kum Kee, Inc. (current as of 10/2016)
Hometown: China
College(s): B.S. in Chemistry, Winona State Univ., Winona, MN, 2012
B.E. in Chem. Eng., Hebei Univ. of Technology, Tianjin, China, 2011
Carolyn Schumacher Degree: M.A. Chemistry, University of Denver, June 2014
Thesis: "Characterization of Biogenic Particles and Ice Nuclei in Air and Soil Samples"
Publication(s): [25] Schumacher et al., Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2014
Group Member: Jan. 2012 - June 2014
Immediately After Group: EMT
Currently Works: EMT at Apex Paramedics (current as of 10/2016)
Hometown: Reno, NV
College: B.S. Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, 2011
Co-advised Graduate Students:
Rachel Hottor-Raguindin (no degree); (pic)
Other Former Members
David O'Connor
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Univ. College Cork (Ireland), 2013 (Adviser: Prof. John Sodeau)
Group Member (Postdoc): Jan. - Nov. 2015
Publication(s): [54] Duflot et al., Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2019
Immediately After Group: Assistant lecturer; Dublin Institute of Technology, School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (current as of 2/2017)
Hometown: Cork, Ireland
2015 video Interview of Prof. D. Huffman by DU Prof. Alex Huffman
Prof. Donald Huffman
Emeritus Professor in the Physics Department at University of Arizona
Ph.D. Univ. California - Riverside, Riverside, CA, 1966
Group Member (Visiting Researcher): 2012 - 2013, non-continuous
Group Publication(s): [42] D.R. Huffman, Swanson, J.A. Huffman, Atmos. Meas. Techn., 2016
Research: light interaction with small particles, fullerenes
Personal Interests: running, "old-time" fiddle playing, UA sports
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Undergraduate Alumni or Former Students: (with immediate next educational step, if available)
Nora Carmody (B.S. Geographic Information System, 2022); Group Member Mar. 2021 - Aug. 2021
Max Palay (B.S. Biochemistry, 2022); Group Member Jan. 2020 - Jun. 2021 (pic)
Grace Strasheim (B.S. Chemistry + Computer Science, 2022); Group Member Sep. 2019 - Jun. 2021
Caleb Matteson (B.SCh. Chemistry, 2022); Group Member Sep. 2019 - Mar. 2020 (pic)
Angelica Arana (B.S. Biochemistry, 2022); Group Member Sep. 2019 - Jun. 2020 (pic)
Kassidy East (B.S. Chemistry, Regis Univ., 2021); Group Member Aug. 2019 - Jun. 2020 (pic)
Kate Patterson (B.S. Environ. Chemistry, 2021); Group Member Sep. 2018 -Jun. 2021 (pic)
Undergraduate thesis: "Process Development for a Single-Particle Raman Spectrometer"
Sara McCormack (B.SCh. Chemistry, 2021); Group Member Mar. 2018 - Jun. 2019 (pic)
Courtney Seffense (B.SCh. Chemistry + Anthropology, 2019); Group Member Mar. 2017 - Jun. 2019 (pic)
Undergraduate thesis: "Development of an Immunoassay for the Detection and Quantification of the Nitrated Form of the Major Ragweed Pollen Allergen"
Emily Lachenmayer (B.S. Chemistry, Quest University, 2019); Group Member May 2018 - Jun. 2019 (pic)
Undergraduate thesis (Quest Univ.) "Fungal Spore Tracers in the Middle East"
Brandon Mao (B.S. Chemistry, est. 2020; Group Member Sept. 2017 - Aug. 2018 (pic)
Sam Scherer (B.S. Biochemistry, est. 2020; Group Member Mar. - Nov. 2018 (pic)
Jackie Merle (B.S. Environ. Chem, 2018); Group Member Jan. 2017 - Jun. 2018 (pic)
Samir Rezgui; Group Member Sep. 2017 - Jun. 2018 (pic)
Mollie (Maria) Bieber; Group Memer Jan. 2016 - Jun. 2017 (pic)
Christine Krentz (B.S. Biochemistry, 2017); Group Member Mar. 2016 - Jun. 2017 (pic)
Undergraduate thesis: "Characterization and Analysis for Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor and Associated Study of Ambient Dust and Non-Dust Events Contrasting Cyprus and Barbados"
Publication: [47]
Rachel Wegener (B.S. Physics + Environmental Science, 2017); Group Member Mar. 2016 - Jun. 2017 (pic)
Undergraduate thesis (physics): "Effectiveness of Marine Bioparticles as Ice Nuclei"
Publication: [54]
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory; SULI intern)
Anna Dondero (B.S. Biochemistry, 2017); Group Member Jan. - Nov. 2016 (pic)
Meghan Allen (B.S. Biochemistry, 2016); Group Member Aug. - Dec. 2015
Bryan Luu (B.S. Biology, 2017); Group Member Jun. 2015 - Jun. 2016
Alex Hill (B.S. Chemistry, 2016); Group Member Mar. 2014 - Sept. 2015
(Univ. Michigan; Chemical Engineering Ph.D. program)
Emma Biesiada (B.S. Biochemistry, 2016); Group Member Mar. 2014 - Aug. 2016 (pic)
(Univ. Colorado - Boulder; Environmental Engineering Ph.D. program)
Kyle Pierce (B.S. Chemistry, 2016); Group Member Oct. 2013 - Aug. 2016 (pic)
Publication: [39]
John (Jack) Maurer (B.S. Physics + Chemistry, 2016); Group Member Oct. 2013 - Apr. 2015 (pic)
(Univ. Oregon; Chemistry Ph.D. program)
Jana Huang (B.S. Biology, 2015); Group Member Sep. - Dec. 2014
(Emory Univ.; School of Medicine; M.D. Program)
Robert Biedron (B.S. Chemistry, 2015); Group Member Mar. - Dec. 2014
Michael Noller (B.S. Chemistry, 2014); Group Member Jan. - Jun. 2014 (pic)
(Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences; M.D. Program)
Wal Lassar (B.S. Chemistry, 2015); Group Member Oct. 2013 - Jun. 2015 (pic)
Undergraduate thesis: "BIODETECT 2014: Ambient Observations by a Comprehensive Suite of Light-Induced Fluorescence Techniques during Summer Near Paris, France"
Publication: [39]
Annie Halseth (B.S. Biology, 2017); Group Member Sep. 2013 - Jun. 2014 (pic)
Nhat Do (B.A. Env. Science, 2014); Group Member Jun. - Aug. 2013
(Univ. Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies; International Development M.A. program)
Rachael Scoggins (B.S. Biology, 2015); Group Member Mar. - Aug. 2013 (pic)
Kyle Milberg (B.S. Chemistry, 2014); Group Member Jan. - Jun. 2013 (pic)
Joshua Vann (B.S. Chemistry, 2014); Group Member: Mar. - Dec. 2012 (pic)
(Univ. Alaska Fairbanks; Physics Ph.D. program)
Marie Gosselin (B.S. Env. Chemistry, 2014); Group Member Mar. 2012 - Mar. 2014 (pic)
Undergraduate thesis: "Method Development for Offline Quantification of Airborne Fungal Spores Using Molecular Tracers via GC/MS and LC/MS"
(Univ. Denver; Chemistry M.S. program)
Summer Undergraduate Research Grants, DU Undergraduate Research Center:
2021: Nora Carmody
2020: Kate Patterson
2018: Brandon Mao
2017: Jackie Merle
2017: Courtney Seffense
2016: Anna Dondero
2016: Christine Krentz
2015: Kyle Pierce
2014: Wal Lassar
2014: Jack Maurer
2014: Kyle Pierce
2013: Marie Gosselin
2013: Rachael Scoggins
Inter-term Graduate Students:
2019: Alex Volkova, Maxwell Freeman
2017: Rachel Davey
2016: Willy (Thacien) Ngendahimana
2015: Martin Aguilar
2014: Nicole Savage
2012: Amani Alhalwani
2012: Jixiao (Yuri) Li
2011: Carolyn Schumacher
Prospective Members
-Graduate students will be considered after entrance into the graduate program in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. An undergraduate degree in chemistry is encouraged for application to the department, but not specifically required. If interested in learning more, please email Dr. Huffman. To learn more about the graduate program at the University of Denver (DU), please click here. For more information about DU in general, follow the link to the university’s main page or YouTube channel.
-Undergraduate students at DU will be selectively considered from all majors/disciplines of science and engineering and at all stages of study to join ongoing research projects. Motivated students as early as their first year at DU may begin working with our lab. Undergraduate students may work at any time as a lab volunteer and as an upper division student for research course credit and may apply for summer stipend support through the DU Undergraduate Research Center (URC). Undergraduate students are generally selected with evidence of strong academic record (i.e. GPA) and high maturity and motivation. If interested in learning more, please email Dr. Huffman with interest.
-Postdoctoral scholars who are at least partially funded are also being recruited.
-If interested in joining the group please send Prof. Huffman a copy of your CV along with questions or interest. Click here for formal student application for study at DU.
FAQs:
Under construction.