Katherine Lanigan

Katherine Lanigan is Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at University of Detroit Mercy's College of Engineering & Science, teaching General Chemistry, Quantitative Analysis, and Instrumental Analysis since joining the faculty in 2001.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Iowa (1996)
• B.S. in Chemistry, University of Dayton (1990)

Dr. Lanigan's research integrates analytical chemistry with environmental science through two primary avenues: trace metal analysis in ecological systems using FAAS, XRF, and UV/vis spectroscopy, and investigations of photocatalytic reactions involving nanoparticles for contaminant degradation. Her secondary focus examines adsorbed species at liquid/solid interfaces of metal oxide films using ATR-FTIR, with recent expansion into cloud point extraction methods for metal preconcentration in water samples. These efforts address critical environmental monitoring and remediation challenges.

Analysis of her 2015-2024 publications reveals dual expertise in environmental analytical chemistry and pedagogical innovation, with environmental work emphasizing practical metal detection techniques and education research developing theme-based water quality activities across instructional levels.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• National Institute of Health ReBUILDetroit Pilot Project Course Development Award (2017, co-PI)
• UDMPU Faculty Research Awards (2016, 2015)

Dr. Lanigan has mentored 38 students since 2002, with alumni pursuing dentistry (University of Detroit Mercy, Case Western, Michigan, Pennsylvania), medicine, and chemistry careers. Her secured funding supports both research instrumentation and educational development initiatives.

The active Lanigan Research Group currently comprises Jisoo Kim, Heewoong Kim, and Tina Lee, with Kelly Cho, Alina Varghese, and Abdel El Sayed joining for Fall 2025 projects on photocatalytic nickel oxidation and drinking water metal analysis.