GOTHAM
We are involved in a large collaboration called GOTHAM (GBT Observations of TMC-1, Hunting for Aromatic Molecules). GOTHAM uses high-resolution radio astronomical observations to search for new molecules in the interstellar medium. Once new molecules are detected, we seek to understand how they formed and whether they survive to be delivered to newly forming solar systems.
ILTS, Hokkaido University
We are working with Dr. Naoki Watanabe, Director of the ILTS (Institute for Low Temperature Science) in Sapporo, Japan, to study radicals on astrochemical ice analogues. His group first used the PSD-REMPI technique to study radicals in situ in the ice, a technique we are also implementing in our ice experiment chamber at UBC.
TRIUMF and SwRI
We are collaborating with Dr. Chris Charles, Director of the OLIS (OffLine Ion Source) facility at TRIUMF and Dr. Danna Qasim, research scientist at SwRI (Southwest Research Institute) to develop astrochemical experiments regarding the energetic processing of dust grains and icy mantles. We aim to study the depletion of chemicals such as sulfur and phosphorus in the ISM by investigating their release from mineral samples when exposed to high energy radiation.
Momose Group, UBC
We are working with the group of Prof. Takamasa Momose (UBC Chemistry) to study astrochemically relevant molecules in para-hydrogen matrices. Our current projects involve isolating aromatic molecules and measuring their mid-IR spectra and UV photochemistry. We also collaborate with the Momose group on the spectroscopy and photolysis of prebiotic molecules, such as amino acids.
Pleiss Group, UBC
We are collaborating with Dr. Geoff Pleiss (UBC Statistics) to use foundation models to explore the chemical space of astrochemical reactions and their processes. We aim to use machine learning to better constrain parameters used in astrochemical modelling, and to inform future targets for laboratory experiments.
Vincent Esposito, Chapman University
We collaborate with Vince Esposito from Chapman University to compare our experiments to theoretical calculations. Recently, we worked with Vince to assign vibrational modes of aromatic nitriles isolated in para-hydrogen matrices.
Ryan Fortenberry, University of Mississippi
We collaborate with Ryan Fortenberry from the University of Missouri to conduct theoretical calculations involving radicals of interest to the ISM. We recently combined forces with Ryan to study the electronic structure of the C4H radical.