The Blakemore Laboratory
Inspired by the pursuit of sustainability, our group studies mechanisms of redox-induced chemical reactions that often involve actinides, lanthanides, and light gases. We draw on perspectives from inorganic/organometallic chemistry, molecular electrochemistry, and surface science.
RECENT BLAKEMORE GROUP NEWS
15 October 2025 - Congratulations to Alex Ervin (G5) and Fynn Cooper (G4) who have been named recipients of research funding support from the KU Doctoral Student Research Fund (DSRF) for 2025! Alex and Fynn wrote individual proposals for consideration in the DSRF competition which takes place annually at KU. Alex's proposal focuses on synchrotron spectroscopy being conducted jointly with Tonya Vitova's group, and Fynn's proposal focuses on generation of new thorium compounds via aqueous processing. Congrats, Alex and Fynn!
17 September 2025 - James was interviewed today on an episode of CrimsonChat at the KU William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communication. He discussed our group's research in inorganic and heavy element chemistry, as well as the science behind nuclear power generation. Thanks to Jaden Huehl, the host of CrimsonChat who is studying journalism at KU on a pre-law track, for the opportunity to share about our group's work and motivations for working in the chemistry of energy!
27 August 2025 - Our former undergraduate student Cecilia Paranjothi has been named the recipient of the 2025 Charles D. Coryell Award from the ACS Division of Nuclear Science and Technology. The Coryell Award honors undergraduate students who have completed research projects in nuclear or nuclear-related areas, and was awarded to Cecilia, in part, based on her KU Chemistry Honors thesis, which addressed immobilization of molecular uranyl complexes supporting by tailored organic ligands on electrode surfaces, among other topics. The award is named in honor of Charles D. Coryell, who led the discovery, in 1945, of the manmade element promethium at the Clinton Engineer Works, now known as Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Congratulations on this national award, Cecilia!