Nancy Washton, Ph.D.
Scientist, WR Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, NMR & EPRhttp://emslbios.pnl.gov/id/washton_nm Updated: January 16, 2012
Current Activities and Projects
As part of the EMSL mission, Dr. Washton has been working with scientists from Penn State University and the University of California as part of a research campaign in the area of catalysis. This major project also includes researchers from the Institute for Integrated Catalysis at PNNL, and is focused on developing a multi-capability approach for analysis of catalytic systems. Within the campaign, she is performing ssNMR studies of aluminosilicate gels that are used as catalysts and catalyst supports, as well as zeolites used for transformations of small molecules. Here, she is again coupling computational efforts using NWChem with new capabilities within the High Field Magnetic Resonance Facility that have been funded through the Recovery Act. Dr. Washton is also collaborating with a number of scientists involved in studying the life cycle of nuclear fuels. Specifically, she is working with a team of scientists from Penn State and PNNL to study both medium-level nuclear waste disposal materials (similar to cement) as well as glasses proposed for high-level waste storage.
Research Interests
Surface reactivity of amorphous and periodic aluminosilicates, both as it relates to geochemical phenomena as well as industrial applications.
Past Experience
Senior Research Chemist in Fiberglass Sciences and Technology, PPG Industries, Inc, 2008-2010
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), 2007-2008
Research Intern, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Corporation, Annandale NJ, 2005
Education
Ph.D., Chemistry, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 2007
B.S., Chemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, 2001
Awards, Honors, & Appointments
Best Oral Presentation, 9th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, Penn State University, 2006; NSF-EMSI Center for Environmental Kinetics Analysis (CEKA) Fellow, Penn State University, 2005-2007; NSF-IGERT Biogeochemical Research Initiative in Education (BRIE) Fellow, 2002-2004; Dan Waugh Teaching Award, Penn State University, 2002.
