Dr. Jeffrey Shepherd is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry within the School of Natural Sciences at Laurentian University. His research focuses on electrochemical characterization and manipulation of surfaces modified with organic molecules. Dr. Shepherd has established himself as a leading researcher in the field of surface electrochemistry, particularly in the study of metal-organic interfaces and their applications in sensing and mineral processing. Dr. Shepherd's educational background includes: BSc in Chemistry from Laurentian University (1995-1999), with an undergraduate thesis focused on non-linear dynamics in electrochemical systems PhD in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia (2000-2005), where he developed a new spectroelectrochemical method for characterizing lipid-like monolayers Postdoctoral research at McGill University (2005-2006), studying defects in alkylthiol self-assembled monolayers for biosensor applications Dr. Shepherd's research interests center on the electrochemical characterization and manipulation of surfaces modified with organic molecules. His laboratory employs electrochemical methods and high-resolution surface probes to study the metal/organic interface in various environments. Current projects include developing electrochemical methods to pattern metal electrodes with heterogeneous binary mixed monolayers for chemical and biochemical sensors, studying organic leveling agents on copper and zinc surfaces under electrowinning conditions, and exploring organic molecules as alternative leaching agents for gold extraction. Analysis of Dr. Shepherd's publication record reveals a strong focus on electrochemical surface science, particularly in the areas of self-assembled monolayers, metal dissolution processes, and mineral processing applications. His work demonstrates expertise in combining electrochemical techniques with advanced surface characterization methods. A notable trend in his research is the application of fundamental electrochemical principles to solve practical problems in mineral processing and sensor development, showing a consistent bridge between theoretical understanding and industrial applications. Dr. Shepherd has received recognition for his work, including: 2005 Student Award from the Canadian Section of the Electrochemical Society Dr. Shepherd's research has been supported by several prestigious funding agencies, including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Ontario Centres for Excellence (OCE), and Barrick Gold Corporation. His collaborative work with industry partners, particularly Vale and Barrick Gold, demonstrates the practical relevance of his research to the mining and metallurgical sectors. Dr. Shepherd has supervised numerous graduate students and research personnel in his laboratory, contributing to the training of the next generation of electrochemists and surface scientists. Dr. Shepherd runs an active research laboratory focused on characterizing the interaction of organic molecules at the metal interface. His team employs a range of electrochemical techniques combined with advanced surface characterization methods to investigate fundamental processes at electrode surfaces. The laboratory has established collaborations with researchers at other institutions and with industry partners to address challenges in mineral processing and sensor development.
