Alexander Laskin

Professor of Analytical Chemistry
Ph.D. Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1998
BRWN 5131B
alaskin@purdue.edu
(765) 494-5243

Bio and CV (PDF)

Qiaorong Xie

Postdoctoral fellow

Email: xie449@purdue.edu

Qiaorong was born in Quanzhou, China. She received her doctorate from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Beijing. Most of her works focus on the molecular composition and physicochemical properties of organic aerosols using HRMS. Qiaorong joined Dr. Laskin’s group as a postdoc in December 2022 to work on the NOAA project about biomass burning aerosols.

Felipe Rivera-Adorno

Graduate Student (expected graduation 2024)

Email: friveraa@purdue.edu

Felipe is from Bayamon, Puerto Rico and received his B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus in May 2019. As a student in UPR he worked in the Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Research laboratory, where he studied the impact of backup power generators emissions on air quality during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. He now pursues a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Purdue University, where he joined Dr. Alexander Laskin’s group in November 2019. Felipe focuses on the application of chemical imaging techniques (computer-controlled SEM/EDX, environmental-SEM, TEM, and STXM/NEXAFS) to characterize the physico-chemical properties of laboratory-generated and field-collected ambient aerosols. Felipe’s individual projects involves:

1. The use of SEM and STXM to assess the viscosity of laboratory-generated organic particles based on their morphological features.
2. Chemical imaging of biomass burning aerosols collected onboard research aircraft during FIREX-AQ field campaign. This study is focused on investigating wildfire events in Western USA. 
3. Chemical and optical characterization of biomass burning aerosols collected from controlled laboratory combustion emissions.

Diego Calderon-Arrieta

Graduate Student (expected graduation 2025)

Email: calderod@purdue.edu

Diego is from Mobile, AL, where he received his B.Sc. in Chemistry at University of South Alabama in Summer 2020. As a student there, he worked on evaluating artificial sweetener contamination in Mobile Bay, a major estuary of the Gulf of Mexico. He grew fascinated by chemistry for its applications in environmental health, public health, and what role it can play in resolving environmental pollution issues. He joined Dr. Alexander Laskin’s group in November 2020, where he investigates the photolytic behavior of brown carbon chromophores emitted from biomass burning events. In his free time, Diego likes to go hiking, read, and play video games.

Emily Halpern

Graduate Student (expected graduation 2025)

Email: ehalpern@purdue.edu

Emily is from Lansdale, PA and received a dual B.S. degree in Chemistry and Forensic and Investigative Science from West Virginia University in May 2020. In August 2020, Emily joined the A. Laskin group. Her research centers on molecular characterization of complex and industrially relevant samples in the pursuit of sustainability. Emily projects include: (1) the pressure-based fractionation and structural determination of bio-oil fuel surrogates using aerosol technology and targeted reactive analysis and (2) the high-throughput DART-HRMS Screening of waste plastics contaminants and composition.

Steven Sharpe

Graduate Student (expected graduation 2026)

Email: sharpe22@purdue.edu

Steven is from Grinnell, IA and received a B.A. from Grinnell College where he double majored in Chemistry and Anthropology. During his undergraduate education, Steven characterized silicon-based electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries with electrochemical impedance and diffusion NMR with Professor Leslie Lyons. In Fall 2021, Steven started his PhD in Analytical Chemistry at Purdue University in Alex Laskin’s lab where he researches the atmospheric chemistry of aerosols.

Temitope Olayemi

Graduate Student (expected graduation 2027)

Email: tolayemi@purdue.edu

I am from Lagos, Nigeria and I got my BSc. Degree in Chemistry from the University of Lagos, Nigeria (Unilag) in October 2015. While in Unilag, I participated primarily in research on balance of phosphates and nitrates in the Lagos lagoon, as they concern eutrophication. I now pursue a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Purdue University having joined Dr. Alexander Laskin’s group in Fall 2022. My work involves the application of various techniques to study the chemistry of Atmospheric aerosols; characterization of bulk and single particle composition, as well as evolution, and effects of climate and health. I also work on method/instrument decelopment for investigating Water soluble brown carbon.

Hannah Folarin

Graduate Student (Expected graduation, 2027).

Email: hfolarin@purdue.edu

Hannah is from Oyo State, Nigeria. She attended the University of Ibadan, Nigeria where she bagged a double major Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Science Education in 2020. Since her undergraduate, she has been passionate about building sustainable planetary health and has explored effects of environmental pollution (adsorption of lead by microplastic pellets, and oxygen demand of gross organic matter) in wastewater samples in her previous research work. In Fall 2022, Hannah started her PhD in analytical Chemistry and joined Dr. Alex Laskin’s research group. Her research work will be centered on studying the chemistry of atmospheric aerosols. In her free time, she enjoys baking and exploring new adventures.

Catalina Sara Botero

Shudeepta Sarker

Graduate Student (Expected graduation, 2028).

Email: sarker0@purdue.edu

Shudeepta is from Bangladesh and received her B.Sc and M.Sc in Chemistry from the University of Rajshahi. During her M.Sc thesis, she worked on mitigating surfactant concentrations in soil and water using vermicompost fertilizer. She started her professional career by joining multinational testing laboratory Intertek as an Analytical Chemist. Mainly, she analyzed restricted substances in textile products using GC-MS. Later, as a Research Fellow, she joined the Institute of National Analytical Research and Services (INARS) in the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR). In the fall of 2023, she joined Dr Alexander Laskin's group to do extended research on environmental chemistry. In her free time, she likes to read and explore different places. She is very passionate about music.

Julius Ese

Graduate Student (Expected graduation, 2028).

Email: esej@purdue.edu

Julius is from Delta State, Nigeria, where he obtained a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Edwin Clark University (ECU) in February 2021. While at ECU, he participated in research focused on the utilization of activated carbon for wastewater treatment. In Fall 2023, Julius commenced his PhD in Chemistry at Purdue University, where he joined Dr. Alexander Laskin’s group because of his keen interest in the chemistry of atmospheric aerosols. In his free time, He enjoys playing board games, soccer and listening to the works of Ludwig Goransson.

Seth Koloski

Graduate Student (expected graduation 2029)

Email: skoloski@purdue.edu

Seth is from Beavercreek, Ohio and received a dual B.S. Degree in both chemistry and mathematics from Kentucky Wesleyan College in May 2024. During his time as an undegraduate, Seth studied the heavy metal concentrations in the local soil and water of Owensboro, Kentucky by way of atomic absorption spectroscopy. As well as this, he performed a dendrochemical analysis of the heavy metals in the local tree species. In the fall of 2024, Seth joined the Alex Laskin group. During Seth's free time he enjoys to bowl (as he was a collegiate athlete during his undergraduate time and has been bowling for 20 years) as well as cook, play both board and video games, and hang out with his cat.

Abigail Smith

Email: smit5409@purdue.edu

Graduate Student (expected graduation 2029)

Abigail is from Clarkston, MI, and got her B.S. in Chemistry from Michigan State University in May 2024. During her undergraduate research, she focused on UV-induced interactions between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) molecules utilizing mass spectrometry. She joined Dr. Alex Laskin’s group in the fall of 2024. In her free time, she likes to bake, play video and board games, and listen to music. 

Dominick F. Dotson

Email: dotson14@purdue.edu

Graduate Student (expected graduation 2029)

Dominick is from Franklin, KY and earned a B.S. in Medicinal Plant Chemistry and an A.S. in Indoor Agriculture from Northern Michigan University (NMU). At NMU, he established a campus apiary and conducted research on the impact of plant secondary metabolites on varroa mites, a primary contributor to colony collapse disorder in western honeybees. He also explored the potential of hemp for phytoremediation of PFASs. In Fall 2024, Dominick began pursuing a PhD in Analytical Chemistry, as part of the Alex Laskin research group. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing Guitar Hero, discovering new restaurants and recipes, and indulging his newfound love of teaching.

Larissa Evans

Email: evans527@purdue.edu

Larissa Evans is a second year undergraduate student from South Bend, IN and is pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering  with a minor in management. She is working with Diego on the research of brown carbon from biomass burning events. Outside of school, Larissa enjoys working out, hiking, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends.

Isaac Morton

Hajian Nyiri Alice

Email: nhajian@purdue.edu

My name is Nyiri Hajian, and I’m from Massachusetts. I am a junior at Purdue studying chemistry with a minor in natural resources and environmental science. I’ve been working with Hannah in the lab, researching the degradation effects of sunlight on different water bottle types.

Jessica Knull

Email: knullj@purdue.edu

Jessica is currently an undergraduate from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is working on her B.S. in Chemistry while also minoring in Spanish. She is excited to be involved in undergraduate research. She is currently working with Diego and his research on the photolytic behavior of brown carbon chromophores. Outside of chemistry, Jessica is a part of the Purdue Color Guard. 

Kirby Hill

Email:hill523@purdue.edu

Kirby is an undergraduate student from Seymour, IN currently pursuing a Biochemistry(Chemistry) degree with plans of applying to pharmacy school next year. Outside of school, Kirby is a member of Purdue University Dance Marathon where she fundraises and raises awareness for Riley Hospital for Children as well as a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority.

Ahmad Muqri Azfar Bin Kamaruddin

Email: akamaru@purdue.edu

Azfar is an undergraduate student from Kelantan, Malaysia. He is a second-year student in the Chemistry major and is working on the application for a data science certificate. He is currently working with Tope on the research of the chemical composition and morphological analysis of atmospheric particles from an intensive bonfire-burning festival. Outside of class, Azfar loves to play sports such as table tennis, badminton, and soccer.

JingKai Wang

Email: wang5753@purdue.edu

JingKai commonly goes by Kimi, and is a second year undergraduate student from China and pursuing chemistry degree with a minor in forensic science. He is working with Diego on the research of brown carbon from biomass burning events. Outside of school, Kimi plays guitar, table tennis, and video games in his free time.