Dr. Justin Andrews

Research Overview

In the Andrews Research Lab, we are passionate about using inorganic chemistry to solve challenges related to the energy transition and sustainability. We use chemical principles to design and synthesize new materials and employ a suite of analytical and photophysical techniques to better understand their properties.

Our research efforts blend the synthesis of solid-state materials and molecular architectures having tunable pores and cavities with the development of operando X-ray spectroscopic probes to better understand the delicate interplay between atomistic/geometric and electronic structure and the way their relationship evolves across structural phase changes, electronic instabilities, and formal redox/intercalation events. We are focused on using this insight to make ‘switchable’ porous framework materials and substoichiometric solid-state materials for use in applications ranging from neuromorphic computing to energy storage and desalination. Check out the group website for more details of currently ongoing projects!

Members of the Andrews Research Lab will develop technical skills in a broad range of traditional subdisciplines including inorganic chemistry, solid-state chemistry, and electrochemistry. Students will have the opportunity to learn a number of materials characterization techniques including, but in no way limited to: powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electrochemistry, and synchrotron-based photophysical techniques such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray emission spectroscopy, resonant inelastic X-ray scattering, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure.

Beyond technical skills, it is the lab’s mission to train the next generation of inorganic chemists who think critically about the electronic structure of extended systems and use this knowledge to design materials that solve real-world challenges.

Are you interested in learning more about inorganic and materials chemistry? The Andrews research lab is currently accepting graduate and undergraduate students – please reach out if you are interested!

Education

• B.S. Chemistry, Gordon College, 2014
• Ph.D. Chemistry, Texas A&M University, 2020
• Postdoctoral Research Associate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2023

Awards

• CAS Future Leaders Award, 2023
• IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists, 2021
• G. Michael Bancroft Ph.D. Thesis Award (Canadian Light Source), 2021
• George W. Kunze Endowed Graduate Student Award (Texas A&M University System), 2021
• Texas A&M University Distinguished Dissertation Award (Texas A&M University College of Science), 2021
• Texas A&M University Association of Former Students Distinguished Graduate Student Dissertation Award, 2021
• NASA Space Technology Research Fellowship, 2017-2020
• Materials Research Society Graduate Student Award (Silver), 2020
• Molecular Foundry User Meeting Best Poster Award, 2020
• DOW Chemical Charlene Black Miller ’79 Endowed Memorial Fellowship (Texas A&M University Department of Chemistry), 2019
• Sharon Dabney Research and Service Award (Phi Lambda Upsilon), 2019
• Excellence in STEM Award (Sigma Xi), 2019
• Donald J. Darensbourg Graduate Student Travel Scholarship, 2019
• Wilhelm und Else Heraeus Stiftung Preis, 2018

Publications

List of publications