Gaby Avila-Bront

Gaby Avila-Bront is an Associate Professor in the Chemistry Department at the College of the Holy Cross, where she has served since 2014 while also holding the position of Health Professions Advisor for pre-medical and health career guidance.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Chicago

Professor Avila-Bront's research program is entirely undergraduate-driven, focusing on fundamental investigations of binary self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold surfaces under ambient conditions to understand two-dimensional molecular mixing behavior. Her surface science work employs scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to analyze molecular organization of compounds like naphthalenethiol and octanethiol. Complementing this, she pioneers innovative chemistry education through science fiction-themed experiential learning courses designed specifically for non-majors, making complex chemical concepts accessible and engaging.

Her publication record reveals a dual trajectory: consistent advancement in surface science methodologies documented in Surface Science and Journal of Physical Chemistry C, alongside impactful contributions to chemistry education scholarship published in the Journal of Chemical Education.

Her scientific excellence has been recognized through:

• NSF Career Award
• American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund Grant

Avila-Bront maintains a highly active undergraduate mentorship program where students lead experimental design, data analysis, and conference presentations. Her lab's productivity is evidenced by multiple student co-authored publications and frequent presentations at national conferences including American Chemical Society meetings. She is regularly invited to speak about effective undergraduate research mentorship strategies across numerous institutions.

The Avila Group at Holy Cross, supported by NSF and ACS funding, operates as a dedicated undergraduate research hub specializing in surface chemistry and molecular materials science, providing exceptional hands-on research opportunities that bridge fundamental science with practical applications.