Research

(Research Description PDF)

The research in our group focuses upon the development and understanding of computational methodologies, and studies in heavy element chemistry, catalysis, protein modeling, drug design/understanding of disease, metal organic frameworks, green chemistry, and many other areas. One of the great features of theoretical and computational chemistry is that they can be utilized to investigate a broad array of challenges, and our group is engaged in areas including quantum mechanical and quantum dynamical method development, spectroscopic and thermochemical studies of small molecules, protein modeling and drug design, catalysis design, environmental challenges (i.e., CO2, PFAS), heavy element and transition metal chemistry, and mechanical properties of materials of importance in areas such as aircraft design.

Development and understanding of methodologies. Much of our group’s efforts are focused upon the development of ab initio approaches that aim for accurate prediction of thermochemical properties across the periodic table. Included in our efforts has been the development of successful and versatile ab initio composite schemes, called correlation consistent Composite Approaches (ccCA), that provide reduced computational cost (in terms of computer time, memory, and disk space) means to achieve energetic predictions. The approaches are useful for ground-state, excited-state, and transition- state energies, and can be applied to situations where single-reference wavefunctions or where multireference wavefunctions (i.e., bond- breaking, diradicals) are necessary. Included in our work is the development of Gaussian basis sets, providing new additions to the correlation consistent basis set family, and rigorous evaluation of existing and new basis sets. Another area of interest is in gauging the performance of methodologies, such as density functional theory, particularly for situations where there may be few, if any, needed experiments for comparison. Efforts extend across the periodic table, with substantial focus upon the transition metals.

Heavy element chemistry. The complexity of the heavy elements results in their great utility in applications from cell phones to stealth technology. We are developing a better under- standing of the fundamental properties of heavy element species, as well as the methodologies needed to describe their energetic and spectroscopic properties, and utilizing this knowledge in areas such as separation science and the development of new methodologies for heavy elements.
Quantum dynamics. A part of our group’s efforts focus on time-dependent quantum mechanical approaches across the periodic table. Of particular interest in addition to our development of methodologies is the study of light-driven phenomena.

Catalysis. Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis are of interest, and we investigate a broad range of catalytic reactions, including water-gas shift reactions and reactions of importance in the breakdown of lignin. We also have interest in novel electrocatalysts.

Drug design /understanding disease and biological function. In partnerships including one with a pharmaceutical company, we are considering small molecule binding cavities, utilizing docking techniques and other approaches for the design and understanding at the molecular level of potential pharmaceuticals that could be important in a number of diseases. We also are investigating structure activity relationships, the role of signal transduction cascades in disease, and approaches to modulate biological functions.

Environmental and sustainable chemistry. The strategies that are used in drug-design are also important in understanding the interaction of potential environmental contaminants. Classical, quantum mechanical, statistical mechanical, and machine learning approaches, including materials modeling approaches, are used to study potential contaminants such as CO2 and PFAS compounds and routes for possible mitigation, and works with the MSU Power Plant, and other partners.