Principal Investigator
Liane M. Moreau
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
Materials Science and Engineering Program Faculty Member
Postdoctoral Study, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2017-2020)
PhD Northwestern University (Materials Science and Engineering, 2017)
BS Cornell University (Materials Science and Engineering, 2012)
Email: liane.moreau@wsu.edu | Phone: 509-335-6073 | Office: Troy 224
Faculty webpage: https://chem.wsu.edu/faculty/liane-moreau/
Postdoctoral Researchers
Debashree Roy
Hometown: West Bengal, India
PhD Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune (Chemistry)
MS University of Delhi (Chemistry)
BS University of Burdwan (Chemistry, Minor in Physics and Mathematics)
Joined group: Summer 2022
Research areas: Mechanisms behind the synthesis and anisotropic growth of gold nanoparticles
Favorite animal: Elephant
Email: debashree.roy@wsu.edu
Graduate Researchers
William R. Vance
Hometown: Various in Northern Illinois
BS University of Arizona (Chemistry)
Joined group: Fall 2022 (Inorganic Chemistry)
Research areas: Actinide oxide nanoparticle synthesis, nanoparticle anisotropic growth
Favorite animal: Crocodile
Email: william.vance@wsu.edu
Matthew P. Heaney
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
BS Southern Methodist University (Chemistry)
Joined group: Fall 2022 (Materials Chemistry, co-advised with Prof. Xiaofeng Guo)
Research areas: Mixed actinide oxide nanoparticles, nanoscale nuclear fuels
Favorite animal: Giant Oarfish
Fun fact: Does NOT like chocolate
Email: matthew.heaney@wsu.edu
Peter Jensen
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
BS Boise State University (Chemistry)
Joined group: Fall 2022 (Physical Chemistry, co-advised with Prof. Xiaofeng Guo)
Research areas: Lanthanide-doped uranium oxide, nanoscale nuclear fuels
Favorite animal: wolverine
Fun fact: Occasionally makes YouTube videos (sometimes about chemistry)
Email: peter.jensen@wsu.edu
Undergraduate Researchers
Katherine (Kat) J. Busiek
Hometown: Camas, Washington
Major: Chemistry BS
Joined Group: Fall 2020
Research area: Iron oxide nanoparticles in aqueous solution for radiotherapy and medical imaging
Favorite animal: Opossum
Email: katherine.busiek@wsu.edu
Holly A. Heckerman
Hometown: Spokane, Washington
Major: Biology BS, Chemistry minor; Pre-medicine
Joined Group: Spring 2021
Research area: Nanoparticle dopants for medical applications
Favorite animal: King cobra
Email: holly.heckerman@wsu.edu
Samuel D. Wagner
Hometown: Aberdeen, Washington
Major: Chemistry BS
Joined Group: Spring 2022
Research area: Mechanisms behind anisotropic growth of noble metal nanoparticles
Favorite animal: Turtle
Fun fact: Is very competitive
Email: samuel.d.wagner@wsu.edu
Kelsi A. McCracken
Hometown: Spokane, Washington
Major: Chemistry BS
Joined Group: Spring 2022
Research area: Bimetallic nanoparticles
Favorite animal: Frog
Email: kelsi.mccracken@wsu.edu
Simon Scheel
Hometown: Richland, Washington
Major: Chemistry BS
Joined Group: Spring 2023
Research area: Actinide nanomaterials
Favorite animal: Capybara
Email: simon.scheel@wsu.edu
Group Alumni
Graduate students:
Ashley D. Knapp (MS Chemistry, 2021)
Undergraduate students:
Acacia M. Dasher (BS Chemistry, 2022)
current position: medical student at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Spencer D. Miyake (BS Chemistry, 2021)
current position: sample control specialist/lab tech at Brooks Applied Labs, LLC