Kelly Powderly

Kelly Powderly is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Washington University in St. Louis, leading a research group focused on discovering novel quantum materials through innovative synthesis approaches. Her laboratory develops alternative synthetic pathways for extended solids with magnetic, electronic, and topological properties relevant to quantum information science. Research combines high-pressure techniques, solution-phase synthesis, and advanced characterization methods.

Current research directions include: designing 2D spin-nets from molecular precursors, studying diffusion-suppressed routes to intermetallics, and high-pressure metathesis for novel noble-gas solids. The group employs techniques including in situ X-ray diffraction, diamond anvil cells, and variable-temperature property measurements.

Powderly received significant recognition including the Beckman-Brown Postdoctoral Fellowship (2023), NSF Graduate Fellowship (2017), and Princeton's Pickering Teaching Award (2020). She currently supervises PhD students Jayna Wallinger and Yarielis Lopez, along with undergraduate researchers. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in magnetic materials and metastable phase synthesis.