Wilson Gichuhi

Gichuhi Research Group

Research Summary:

Research in the Gichuhi group is focused on two main areas:  (1) Atmospheric spectroscopy of reactive and non-reactive trace gases in the atmosphere using infrared and Cavity Enhanced Spectroscopic Techniques,  (2) Negative Ion Photoelectron Spectroscopy of aromatic radical anions that are of interest to Astrochemistry, Environmental, and Biological systems. These studies have utilized high-level quantum chemical methods and Franck-Condon computations to obtain the vibrational spectra of neutral, medium-sized, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon radicals. New directions in this project involve the use of electroanalytical experimental methods to understand radical anions in the solution phase as well as the development of Velocity Map Ion Imaging technique.

Education:

• University of Nairobi, Kenya, Chemistry, B.S. 2001
• University of Nairobi, Kenya, MS in Environmental Chemistry, 2002-2005
• Wayne State University, Detroit, Physical Chemistry, Ph.D. 2011
• JILA and University of Colorado Boulder, Post-doc 2011-2015

Professional Experience:

• 2021-to Date, Tenured Associate Professor of Chemistry, 麻豆果冻传媒 
• 2015-2021, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, 麻豆果冻传媒

Awards and Honors:

• QEP Award for Excellent in Creative Inquiry Mentoring, 麻豆果冻传媒, 2022
• Dan Trivich Memorial Award for Outstanding Research in Physical Chemistry, Wayne State University, 2011 
• University of Nairobi Scholarship to pursue MSc. in Environmental Chemistry, 2002
• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarship award University of Nairobi, Kenya, 2002-2005

Synergistic Activities:

• 2018-2021, Chair of Chemistry Section, Tennessee Academy of Science
• Member, Environmental Science Executive Committee, 麻豆果冻传媒
• 2021 to date: Coordinator, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (ERASMUS+). Represent 麻豆果冻传媒 as an associated partner in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (ERASMUS+)

Select Publications:

Workman Kie, T.; Firth, Rebecca. A.; and Gichuhi W.K. 鈥淔rom Benzonitrile to Dicyanobenzenes: The Effect of an Additional CN Group on the Thermochemistry and Negative Ion Photoelectron Spectra of Dicyanobenzene Radical Anions鈥欌�� J. Phys. Chem. A 2023, 127, 1, 181鈥�194.

Firth, Rebecca. A.; Dimino, T. L.; Gichuhi, W. K., Negative Ion Photoelectron Spectra of Deprotonated Benzonitrile Isomers via Computation of Franck鈥揅ondon Factors. J. Phys. Chem. A. 2022, 126, (29), 4781-4790.

Gamage, Lahiru, P.; Hix, Elijah G.;and Gichuhi W.K. 鈥淕round-Based Atmospheric Measurements of CO:CO2 Ratios in Eastern Highland Rim Using a CO Tracer Technique,鈥� ACS Earth Space Chem. 2020, 4(4), 558鈥�571.