Phillip Sheridan

Phillip Sheridan serves as Professor and Chair of the Chemistry Department within the College of Arts and Sciences at Canisius College. Holding a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Arizona and a B.S. in Chemistry from Southern Connecticut State University, he teaches General Chemistry and Physical Chemistry courses while leading departmental initiatives.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, University of Arizona
• B.S. in Chemistry, Southern Connecticut State University

Dr. Sheridan's research centers on fundamental electronic and geometric properties of metal-containing molecules using gas phase laser excitation spectroscopy and millimeter-wave/microwave techniques. His work spans physical chemistry, quantum chemistry, and astrochemistry, with emphasis on radical species and metal-ligand interactions. Key focus areas include rotational spectroscopy of transient molecules, hyperfine structure analysis, and molecular detection in circumstellar environments, revealing insights into bonding and reactivity of metal-bearing compounds.

Analysis of his recent publications shows consistent investigation of alkali metal compounds (amides, hydrosulfides), transition metal species (nitrides, oxides), and phosphorus radicals. His methodology combines experimental spectroscopy with computational approaches to determine molecular structures and electronic properties, with growing relevance to interstellar chemistry as evidenced by astronomical detection of species like SiP.

His scientific contributions have been recognized through:

• Director’s Award, NY State Science Olympiad, Lake Erie-Niagara Region
• Merck Research Laboratories Graduate Fellowship Award in Analytical/Physical Chemistry
• Carl S. Marvel Fellowship Award, Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona

Dr. Sheridan actively mentors undergraduate researchers, with Canisius students like B. T. Russ, M. K. L. Binns, and J. P. Young co-authoring publications on metal amides and radicals. His research group utilizes advanced rotational spectroscopy instrumentation and collaborates with external laboratories, including Professor L. M. Ziurys' team, to investigate reactive intermediates. He also advises the Canisius College Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society and develops educational programs like the Summer Science Camp.

The research program operates through specialized laboratories equipped for Fourier transform microwave and millimeter-wave spectroscopy, focusing on gas-phase synthesis of novel metal-containing molecules. Current efforts target phosphorus-bearing radicals relevant to astrochemistry and precise structural characterization of unsolvated organometallic species, with ongoing collaborations expanding the scope to interstellar molecule detection.