Andrea Munro, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry
- Professional
- Biography
Education
- NSF-ACC Postdoctoral Fellowship with Professor Neal Armstrong, University of Arizona, 2008-2010
- Ph.D., University of Washington, 2008
- B.S., University of Washington, 2003
Areas of Emphasis or Expertise
- Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystal synthesis
- Colloidal metallic nanoparticle synthesis
- Ligand exchange studies
Responsibilities
Dr. Munro often teaches General Chemistry and Physical Chemistry, but has taught courses throughout the chemistry curriculum including:
CHEM 103 – Food Chemistry
CHEM 115 – General Chemistry 1
CHEM 116 – General Chemistry 2
CHEM 341 – Physical Chemistry 1 (kinetics & thermodynamics)
CHEM 342 – Physical Chemistry 2 (quantum mechanics)
CHEM 343 – Physical Chemistry Lab 1
CHEM 344 – Physical Chemistry Lab 2
CHEM 410 – Introduction to Research
CHEM 420 – Instrumental Analysis
CHEM 487 – Inorganic Synthesis
WRIT 101 – A writing course for students during their first semester at PLU. Dr. Munro co-taught WRIT 101: Scientific Literacy in the Media in Fall 2016 and taught WRIT 101: Writing and the Scientific Method in Fall 2017 for students in the STEM dorm.
Selected Articles
- Chandler, C., Chai, D., Garling, M., Munro, A., Popovich, V. "Phenyldithiocarbamate Ligands Decompose During Nanocrystal Ligand Exchange." Journal of Physical Chemistry C Vol. 120, 2016: 29455-29462.
Accolades
- "Inspirational Woman" - PLU Center for Gender Equity 2018
- Karen Hille Phillips Regency Advancement Award Recipient 2015-2016, Pacific Lutheran University
- National Science Foundation American Competitiveness in Chemistry Postdoctoral Fellowship 2008-2010
- Nellie Yeoh Whetton American Vacuum Society Graduate Student Award 2007
Biography
Dr. Andrea Munro conducts research with a team of undergraduate students. We investigate colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals and the effects of various ligands on the properties of those nanocrystals as a function of nanocrystal shape. Recently we joined a collaborative research alliance and will be synthesizing doped semiconductor nanocrystals that will serve as dyes in luminescent solar concentrators.
Students in the Munro Lab synthesize semiconductor nanocrystals using air-free techniques. We use XRD, TEM, and ICP-MS to characterize the crystal shape and structure. Student researchers exchange the native ligands on the nanocrystal surface with novel molecules and characterize the effects of ligand exchange using UV/vis absorbance, photoluminescence, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy.
Dr. Munro developed a new course CHEM 103: Food Chemistry, a lab-based chemistry course designed to introduce students to the scientific method and quantitative analysis. The course was designed for students who are not majoring in the sciences.
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