Huffman Research Group
Group Alumni
Former Graduate Students (in reverse order of graduation)
Dr. Benjamin Swanson
Degree: Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Denver, December 2019
Thesis: "Development and Characterization of an Inexpensive Single-Particle Fluorescence Spectrometer for Detection and Classification of Pollen and Other Bioaerosols"
Publication(s): [42] D.R. Huffman et al., Atmos. Meas. Tech., 2016; [49] Swanson et al., Optics Express, 2018; [57] Swanson et al., Aerosol Sci. Tech., 2020; [62] Swanson et al., Aerosol Sci. Tech., 2022
Group Member: Mar. 2014 - Jul. 2019
Immediately After Group: Postdoctoral scientist in group of Prof. Amanda Frossard at Univ. Georgia
Currently: Handix Scientific
Hometown: Titusville, PA
College: B.S. in Chemistry, Univ. of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2013
Dr. Amani Alhalwani
Degree: Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Denver, June 2018
Thesis: "The Investigation of Lactoferrin Nitration: Quantification, Function, and Inhibition" (Link)
Publication(s): [48] Alhalwani et al., Anal. Bioanal. Chem, 2017; [56] Alhalwani et al., Proteins: Struct., Funct., Bioinf., 2019; [63] Alhalwani et al., BBR, 2023.
Group Member: Mar. 2013 - Jun. 2018
Hometown: Jeddah, Saudia Arabia
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Chemistry, Univ. of Southampton, Southampton, U.K., 2011
B.Sc. in Chemistry, King Abdulaziz Univ., Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 2002
Nicole Savage
Degree: M.S. in Chemistry, Univ. Denver, August 2017
Thesis: "Improved Characterization and Analysis Strategies for UV-LIF Bioaerosol Instrumentation: Lab and Field Application" (Link)
Publication(s): [47] Savage et al., Atmos. Meas. Tech., 2017; [50] Könemann et al., Atmos. Meas. Tech, 2018.; [51] Savage et al., Atmos. Meas. Tech., 2018; [52] Könemann et al., Atmos. Meas. Tech, 2019; [54] Huffman et al., Aerosol Sci Tech., 2019.
Group Member: Mar. 2015 - Aug. 2017 (M.S. student); Aug. 2017 - Dec. 2018 (Research Associate, part-time)
Immediately After Group: Staff scientist at Aerosol Devices, Inc.
Hometown: Rome, NY
College: B.S. in Chemistry, St. John Fisher College, 2014
Marie Gosselin
Degree: M.S. in Chemistry, University of Denver, August 2017
Thesis: "Quantification of Airborne Fungal Spores Comparing Molecular Tracers via Ion Chromatography and UV-LIF Methods" (Link)
Publication(s): [44] Gosselin et al., Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2016
Group Member: Mar. 2012 - Jun. 2014 (B.S. student); Aug. 2014 - Aug. 2017 (M.S. student); Aug. - Dec. 2017 (Research Associate)
Immediately After Group: Field specialist at Air Resource Specialists (current as of 3/2018)
Hometown: Chicopee, MA
College: B.S. in Environmental Chemistry, University of Denver, 2014
Jixiao (Yuri) Li
Degree: M.S. Chemistry, University of Denver, June 2015
Thesis: "Fluorescent Biological Aerosol Particles in Coastal Canada and the Link to Atmospheric Ice Nuclei" (Link)
Publication(s): [38] Mason et al., Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2015; [40] Ladino et al., Atmos. Environ., 2016
Group Member: Jun. 2013 - Jul. 2015
Immediately After Group: Quality control chemist; Lee Kum Kee, Inc. (current as of 10/2016)
Hometown: China
College(s): B.S. in Chemistry, Winona State Univ., Winona, MN, 2012
B.E. in Chem. Eng., Hebei Univ. of Technology, Tianjin, China, 2011
Carolyn Schumacher
Degree: M.A. Chemistry, University of Denver, June 2014
Thesis: "Characterization of Biogenic Particles and Ice Nuclei in Air and Soil Samples"
Publication(s): [25] Schumacher et al., Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2014
Group Member: Jan. 2012 - June 2014
Immediately After Group: EMT
Currently Works: EMT at Apex Paramedics (current as of 10/2016)
Hometown: Reno, NV
College: B.S. Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, 2011
Other Group Alumni
Dr. David O'Connor
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Univ. College Cork (Ireland), 2013 (Adviser: Prof. John Sodeau)
Group Member (Postdoc): Jan. - Nov. 2015
Publication(s): [54] Duflot et al., Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2019
Immediately After Group: Assistant lecturer; Dublin Institute of
Technology, School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (current as of 2/2017)
Hometown: Cork, Ireland
Prof. Donald Huffman
Emeritus Professor in the Physics Department at University of Arizona
Ph.D. Univ. California - Riverside, Riverside, CA, 1966
Group Member (Visiting Researcher): 2012 - 2013, non-continuous
Group Publication(s): [42] D.R. Huffman, Swanson, J.A. Huffman, Atmos.
Meas. Techn., 2016
Research: light interaction with small particles, fullerenes
Personal Interests: running, "old-time" fiddle playing, UA sports
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
2015 video Interview of Prof. D. Huffman by DU Prof. Alex Huffman
Undergraduate Alumni or Former Students:
(immediate next educational steps listed, if available)
Molly Nicknish (B.S. Chemistry); Group Member Oct. 2021 - May 2022
Nora Carmody (B.S. Geographic Information Systems, 2022); Group Member Mar. 2021 - Aug. 2021 (pic)
Max Palay (B.S. Biochemistry, 2022); Group Member Jan. 2020 - Jun. 2021 (pic)
Grace Strasheim (B.S. Chemistry + Computer Science, 2022); Group Member Sep. 2019 - Jun. 2021
Caleb Matteson (B.SCh. Chemistry, 2022); Group Member Sep. 2019 - Mar. 2020 (pic)
Angelica Arana (B.S. Biochemistry, 2022); Group Member Sep. 2019 - Jun. 2020 (pic)
Kassidy East (B.S. Chemistry, Regis Univ., 2021); Group Member Aug. 2019 - Jun. 2020 (pic)
Kate Patterson (B.S. Environ. Chemistry, 2021); Group Member Sep. 2018 -Jun. 2021 (pic)
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Undergraduate thesis: "Process Development for a Single-Particle Raman Spectrometer"
Sara McCormack (B.SCh. Chemistry, 2021); Group Member Mar. 2018 - Jun. 2019 (pic)
Courtney Seffense (B.SCh. Chemistry + Anthropology, 2019); Group Member Mar. 2017 - Jun. 2019 (pic)
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Undergraduate thesis: "Development of an Immunoassay for the Detection and Quantification of the Nitrated Form of the Major Ragweed Pollen Allergen"
Emily Lachenmayer (B.S. Chemistry, Quest University, 2019); Group Member May 2018 - Jun. 2019 (pic)
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Undergraduate thesis (Quest Univ.) "Fungal Spore Tracers in the Middle East"
Brandon Mao (B.S. Chemistry, est. 2020; Group Member Sept. 2017 - Aug. 2018 (pic)
Sam Scherer (B.S. Biochemistry, est. 2020; Group Member Mar. - Nov. 2018 (pic)
Jackie Merle (B.S. Environ. Chem, 2018); Group Member Jan. 2017 - Jun. 2018 (pic)
Samir Rezgui; Group Member Sep. 2017 - Jun. 2018 (pic)
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Publication: [62]
Mollie (Maria) Bieber; Group Memer Jan. 2016 - Jun. 2017 (pic)
Christine Krentz (B.S. Biochemistry, 2017); Group Member Mar. 2016 - Jun. 2017 (pic)
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Undergraduate honors thesis: "Characterization and Analysis for Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor and Associated Study of Ambient Dust and Non-Dust Events Contrasting Cyprus and Barbados"
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Publication: [47]
Rachel Wegener (B.S. Physics + Environmental Science, 2017); Group Member Mar. 2016 - Jun. 2017 (pic)
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Undergraduate thesis (physics): "Effectiveness of Marine Bioparticles as Ice Nuclei"
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Publication: [53]
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory; SULI intern)
Anna Dondero (B.S. Biochemistry, 2017); Group Member Jan. - Nov. 2016 (pic)
Meghan Allen (B.S. Biochemistry, 2016); Group Member Aug. - Dec. 2015
Bryan Luu (B.S. Biology, 2017); Group Member Jun. 2015 - Jun. 2016
Alex Hill (B.S. Chemistry, 2016); Group Member Mar. 2014 - Sept. 2015
(Univ. Michigan; Chemical Engineering Ph.D. program)
Emma Biesiada (B.S. Biochemistry, 2016); Group Member Mar. 2014 - Aug. 2016 (pic)
(Univ. Colorado - Boulder; Environmental Engineering Ph.D. program)
Kyle Pierce (B.S. Chemistry, 2016); Group Member Oct. 2013 - Aug. 2016 (pic)
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Publication: [39]
John (Jack) Maurer (B.S. Physics + Chemistry, 2016); Group Member Oct. 2013 - Apr. 2015 (pic)
(Univ. Oregon; Chemistry Ph.D. program)
Jana Huang (B.S. Biology, 2015); Group Member Sep. - Dec. 2014
(Emory Univ.; School of Medicine; M.D. Program)
Robert Biedron (B.S. Chemistry, 2015); Group Member Mar. - Dec. 2014
Michael Noller (B.S. Chemistry, 2014); Group Member Jan. - Jun. 2014 (pic)
(Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences; M.D. Program)
Wal Lassar (B.S. Chemistry, 2015); Group Member Oct. 2013 - Jun. 2015 (pic)
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Undergraduate thesis: "BIODETECT 2014: Ambient Observations by a Comprehensive Suite of Light-Induced Fluorescence Techniques during Summer Near Paris, France"
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Publication: [39]
Annie Halseth (B.S. Biology, 2017); Group Member Sep. 2013 - Jun. 2014 (pic)
Nhat Do (B.A. Env. Science, 2014); Group Member Jun. - Aug. 2013
(Univ. Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies; International Development M.A. program)
Rachael Scoggins (B.S. Biology, 2015); Group Member Mar. - Aug. 2013 (pic)
Kyle Milberg (B.S. Chemistry, 2014); Group Member Jan. - Jun. 2013 (pic)
Joshua Vann (B.S. Chemistry, 2014); Group Member: Mar. - Dec. 2012 (pic)
(Univ. Alaska Fairbanks; Physics Ph.D. program)
Marie Gosselin (B.S. Env. Chemistry, 2014); Group Member Mar. 2012 - Mar. 2014 (pic)
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Undergraduate thesis: "Method Development for Offline Quantification of Airborne Fungal Spores Using Molecular Tracers via GC/MS and LC/MS"
(Univ. Denver; Chemistry M.S. program)
Summer Undergraduate Research Grants, DU Undergraduate Research Center:
2022: Dorian Schwartz
2021: Nora Carmody
2020: Kate Patterson
2018: Brandon Mao
2017: Jackie Merle
2017: Courtney Seffense
2016: Anna Dondero
2016: Christine Krentz
2015: Kyle Pierce
2014: Wal Lassar
2014: Jack Maurer
2014: Kyle Pierce
2013: Marie Gosselin
2013: Rachael Scoggins
Inter-term Graduate Students:
2019: Alex Volkova
2019: Maxwell Freeman
2017: Rachel Davey
2016: Willy (Thacien) Ngendahimana
2015: Martin Aguilar
2014: Nicole Savage
2012: Amani Alhalwani
2012: Jixiao (Yuri) Li
2011: Carolyn Schumacher