Principle Investigator
Prof. Chris Grieco
- Assistant Professor, Auburn University, 2021 – present
- Postdoctoral Scholar, The Ohio State University, 2017 – 2021
- Ph.D., Chemistry, Penn State University, 2012 – 2017
- B.S., Chemistry, Rochester Institute of Technology, 2008 – 2012
- B.S., Applied Mathematics, Rochester Institute of Technology, 2008 – 2012
Chris was born in the Bronx, NY (New York City) and grew up in Yonkers, NY before receiving B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Applied Mathematics at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 2012. At RIT, he worked with Dr. Chris Collison studying the fluorescence properties of poly(3-hexythiophene) nanofibers and thin films for organic solar cells. In 2017, Chris received a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Penn State University in Dr. John Asbury’s research lab, where he used time-resolved electronic and vibrational spectroscopy to study the photophysics of alternative solar energy conversion materials, including semiconducting polymers and singlet fission sensitizers. Together with Dr. John Asbury and Dr. Eric Kennehan, Chris cofounded Magnitude Instruments, leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance, all-in-one nanosecond transient absorption (flash photolysis) spectroscopy instruments. From 2017 – 2021, Chris worked as a Postdoctoral Scholar at The Ohio State University working with Dr. Bern Kohler. There, he used ultrafast broadband electronic and mid-Infrared spectroscopy to study the photochemistry of the biological eumelanin pigment, which inspires next-generation materials for energy storage. In the summer of 2021, Chris joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Auburn University as an Assistant Professor to start his independent academic career. At Auburn, Chris and his group develop laser spectroscopy methods for probing mixed ionic-electronic conductors for flexible bioelectronics and energy storage applications. Aside from research, Chris enjoys playing electric guitar and his musical interests include heavy metal, various types of death metal, and metalcore. Despite being born in the Bronx, Chris is a die-hard NY Mets fan.
Faculty page, Google Scholar , ORCiD , LinkedIn, email: chris.grieco@auburn.edu
Postdocs
Austin Dorris
- Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Mississippi (2017-2022)
- M.Ed. Science Education, University of Mississippi (2020-2021)
- BA Chemistry, University of Mississippi (2012-2016)
Austin grew up moving across the Southeastern United States before attending the University of Mississippi where he obtained a BA in Chemistry in 2016. Austin remained at UM to complete his PhD under the advisement of Dr. Nathan Hammer. There, he used a host of spectroscopic techniques to study complex systems with solar energy harvesting and bioimaging applications. After successfully defending his dissertation, Austin joined the Grieco lab in June of 2022 to assist with designing the lab’s ultrafast transient absorption instrumentation. His research interests include novel instrumentation design and data acquisition techniques for studying irreversible, ultrafast dynamics in mixed ion-electron conducting materials. Outside of the laser lab, Austin enjoys bouldering at Auburn’s rock wall, walking his dogs, and arguing over photonics at nice restaurants.
Graduate Students
Abdul Rashid Umar
- BSc. (Hons) Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana (2015-2019)
Abdul Rashid was born in Kumasi, Ghana to parents who originated from the Northern part of Ghana, Yendi. Abdul Rashid grew up in Kumasi Aboabo-Extension and had his Primary and Junior High Education at Wataniya Islamic School. Abdul received his High School Diploma from the KNUST Senior High School in Kumasi. In 2019, Abdul received his BSc. (Hons) Chemistry degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana, where he worked with Professor Evans Adei and Professor Richard Tia providing mechanistic insights into organic and inorganic reactions using computational methods. Abdul is now a graduate student at the Auburn University Chemistry Department and works in the Grieco Lab to probe the carrier dynamics of conjugated polymers using the ultrafast femtosecond system. Outside the lab, Abdul enjoys cooking, listening to music, and dancing.
Caitlyn Clark
- M.S. Chemistry, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX (2020-2022)
- B.S. Chemistry, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX (2016-2020)
Caitlyn Clark was born in Orange, Texas. She stayed in Texas for her B.S. (2016-20) and M.S. (2020-22) in Chemistry at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. She completed research as a URA (2018-20) and GRA (2020-22) under the supervision of Dr. Ozge Gunaydin. Her favorite undergraduate research grant she proposed and completed was being the first student to utilize the MakerSpace at Lamar University and build four micro-scaled continuous-stirred tank reactors and three 3D-printed automated syringe pumps. After successfully defending her M.S. thesis dissertation in June 2022, she joined the Grieco lab in Fall 2022 and Auburn Chemistry Department as a graduate student. Her hobbies include country western ballroom dancing with her family, listening to live music, woodworking, costume making/sewing, attending anime conventions and comic cons, and boating at the lake. A typical day includes caring for her pets, Sir Winston Paul (cocker spaniel), Oliver Bane (orange tabby), and P.J. (tortoise shell).
Ryan Spencer
- B.S. Chemistry, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA (2018-2022)
Ryan was born right up the road in LaGrange, GA. Later, he moved further up the road to attend college in Carrollton at the University of West Georgia for a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (2018-2022). He researched many projects during his time at UWG under the advisement of Dr. Hansen. These projects focused on many different things, including using spectroscopy techniques to observe the kinetics of proton transfer in supercooled solutions, using Python to create a virtual environment to replicate proton transfer in supercooled solutions, and investigating the binding properties of cucurbiturils using different mole ratios of methanol and water. Once he graduated, he worked in industry for seven months at Southwire in their polymer formulations lab as a lab technician. He learned many techniques for synthesizing polymers and how adding different fillings to the polymer will change its physical and chemical properties. Ryan joined the Grieco lab in the Fall of 2023. His hobbies include hiking, playing video games, attending anime conventions, fishing, and playing Dungeons and Dragons.
