Janet Macdonald
Associate Professor of Chemistry
BSc 2003 McGill University
PhD 2008 University of Alberta
Post Doctoral Fellow 2008-10 The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Assistant Professor 2011- 2020 Vanderbilt University
Associate Professor 2020- present Vanderbilt University
My education started in the very small town of Dorset, Ontario in a school with twelve children and one teacher. Mrs. McLennan did a great job fostering my love to learn because decades later, I still have yet to "finish" going to school. As a young student, I seemed to be always staring out the window because I was fascinated by the spinning black and while panels of the Crooks Radiometer on her classroom windowsill and the hoar frost that would cover the glass on winter mornings. I haven't stopped thinking about solar energy and crystal growth since.
Graduate Sudents
Emma Endres
I am from Bourbonnais, Illinois. I received my B.S in chemistry at Indiana University in 2021. In my undergraduate research under Dr. Sara Skrabalak, where I became interested in nanoparticle synthesis, I studied the galvanic replacement reaction with intermetallic palladium-copper nanoparticle templates and gold precursor as well as platinum precursor. I observed PdCu-Au dimer formation and analyzed its formation as a function of Au precursor injection rate and volume. Currently my research focuses on phase control of iron sulfide particles, specifically via the addition of bidentate ligands. In my free time I like to paint, trying new crafts, and spending time with my friends.
Elizabeth Hays
I was born and raised in Belleville, Illinois. I received my B.S. in Biochemistry at Murray State University, where I worked with Dr. Kevin Miller for undergraduate research. My project was a blend of small molecule synthesis and polymer chemistry, where I ran a lot of columns and ultimately functionalized cellulose with ionic liquid groups. After making the switch to the inorganic world, I am currently working on controlling the phase of metal chalcogenide materials through single source precursors. In my free time, I love to sew, cook, and spend time with family and friends!
Bharat
am from India and received my B.S. and M.S. in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. My research journey has been quite interdisciplinary. I began with a master’s research project on predicting the spin states of quantum mechanically entangled photons. Following this, I worked as a research assistant on a simulation-based project predicting nuclear fusion for unstable nuclei. I then moved on to the synthesis of multiferroic nanostructures for photocatalysis and enhancing the performance of switching devices. At Vanderbilt, in Spring 2024, I worked on the fabrication of CNT membranes for hemodialysis and hemofiltration. My current research focuses on studying localized surface plasmon resonance of metal-semiconductor heterostructures to enhance harmonic generation, which has applications in photothermal therapy, photoabsorbers, and catalysis. In my free time, I enjoy reading books, particularly autobiographies and philosophical works.
Matt Mims
I am from Pikeville, Kentucky. I received my B.A. in chemistry—with a minor in theatre—from Transylvania University. I took a year off after undergrad to work in industry, but my yearning to learn pulled me back into school. Currently, my research focuses on synthesis of cobalt complexes and quantum dots for solar energy applications. In my free time I like to play video games, go to museums, and write plays.
Ryan (He) Zhuo
I’m originally from Ningbo, China, and after finishing high school there, I decided to venture to the United States for college. I graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics where I dove into trace metal cycling research under the mentorship of Dr. Jennifer L. Morford. That sparked my interest in phase control studies, and now I’m delving deeper into this field with transition metal chalcogenides nanomaterials. Beyond the lab bench, like to play table tennis, listen to R&B music, and take photos of nature views.
Samuel Nimmer
Unlike Ryan, Sam walked simply his way across campus to join the Macdonald group. His goal over the next years is to make the little rocks sit in pretty patterns and then blast them with lasers.
I am from Easley, SC. I received my B.S. in chemistry in 2022 from Clemson University, where I worked in Dr. Brian Dominy's research group. My undergraduate research involved computational studies of SARS-CoV-2 complexation to ACE-2 receptors. My current research is centered around the synthesis of binary nanocrystal superlattices for plasmonic harmonic generation. In my free time, I like to play games with friends and spend time with my cat Momo.
Undergraduates
Yiming Chen
I was born in Xuzhou, and raised in Nanjing, China. I am a junior at Engineering school double majoring in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and minoring in Data Science. Starting from freshman year, I joined Prof. De-en Jiang's computational chemistry lab to investigate the catalytic performance of single and dual metal site catalysts for oxidative coupling and combustion reactions. I joined the Macdonald group in the spring of 2025. I am currently working with Emma on phase control of copper sulfide. My ultimate goal is to employ the phase control to design functional nanocatalysts with higher activity, selectivity and stability. In my free time, I enjoy playing table tennis, jogging, and spending time with my friends.
Annalise Edwards
I am from Las Cruces, New Mexico and I am a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences double majoring in Chemistry and Classical and Mediterranean Studies. I joined the Macdonald group in the spring of 2025 and I am currently working on a project studying Anishinaabe rock art. My goal is to investigate and synthesize new methods for rock art paint production in collaboration with the history and customs of the Anishinaabe people. In my free time I enjoy rollerblading, watching reality shows, and hanging out with friends.