معرفی
Dr. Kate Plass is a Professor and Department Chair of Chemistry at Franklin & Marshall College. She leads the Plass Research Group, focusing on nanoparticle synthesis, energy conversion, and interdisciplinary materials research. Her work emphasizes controllable transformations of nanomaterials and their applications in solar energy and photothermal therapy.
Education:
- B.S., Wayne State University
- Ph.D., University of Michigan
- Postdoctoral Work, California Institute of Technology (2006-2008)
Research Interests: Nanoparticle design and post-synthetic transformations, solar energy conversion materials, and computational modeling. Her lab explores how structural changes in nanoparticles affect their light absorption and energy conversion capabilities, with interdisciplinary approaches involving chemistry, physics, and geology.
Grants & Awards:
- NSF CAREER Award (2012-2017)
- Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2016)
- Multiple NSF grants for nanoparticle research
- Research Corporation Cottrell Award (2008-2011)
Student Engagement: Mentors undergraduates in experimental and computational research. The Nanobots project offers flexible research opportunities, with weekly meetings fostering collaboration. Notable student contributions include Anna Xiong’s nanorod research and Rebecca Luo’s post-bac studies.
Labs & Collaborations: Collaborates with institutions like Penn State and Temple University. Utilizes advanced tools like TEM and SEM-EDS. Co-leads the Primarily Undergraduate Nanomaterials Cooperative (PUNC) to enhance collaborative research at small institutions.
