Amanda Morgenstern

Amanda Morgenstern is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, part of the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences. Her research program focuses on developing and applying computational methods to understand electron charge density in chemical systems.

Dr. Morgenstern received her B.A. from Colorado College in 2010, followed by a Ph.D. from the Colorado School of Mines in 2016 where she worked with the Molecular Theory Group. She completed postdoctoral training at Los Alamos National Laboratory from 2017-2019 in the Theoretical-1 Division.

Her research centers on discovering how electron charge density can better understand and design molecules, materials, and enzymes. The most fundamental aspect of her work is the development of gradient bundle analysis, an extension of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) that provides detailed structural information from electron charge density. Current projects investigate how electric fields can rearrange charge density to catalyze reactions and control product selectivity, propose drug candidates for Human African Trypanosomiasis using molecular docking and QTAIM, and computationally investigate spectroscopy results for tetramine molecules.

Analysis of Dr. Morgenstern's publication record shows a strong focus on quantum chemical topology, with particular emphasis on extending QTAIM through gradient bundle analysis. Her work spans theoretical development, enzyme catalysis studies, materials science applications, and medicinal chemistry. Many publications involve collaborations with researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory and other institutions, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach to computational chemistry.

Dr. Morgenstern has received recognition through publications in high-impact journals including Journal of the American Chemical Society, Chemical Science, and Journal of Physical Chemistry. Her work demonstrates both theoretical innovation in quantum chemical methods and practical applications in drug discovery and materials science.

As a relatively early-career faculty member (Assistant Professor), Dr. Morgenstern appears to be building an active research program with multiple ongoing projects. Her work at the intersection of theoretical chemistry and practical applications suggests opportunities for students interested in computational methods development and their application to real-world problems in medicine and materials science.