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 courses in the General Chemistry and Physical Chemistry sequences, but has taught courses throughout the chemistry curriculum including:
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 (an experimental course)
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
- 2018 "Inspirational Woman" - PLU Center for Gender Equity
- Karen Hille Phillips Regency Advancement Award Recipient 2015-2016, Pacific Lutheran University
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 CdSe nanocrystal spheres, rods, and belts using air-free techniques. We use XRD, TEM, AFM, and ICP to characterize the crystal structure and shape of the nanocrystals we study. Student researchers exchange the native ligands on the nanocrystal surface with dithiocarbamate derivatives and characterize the effects of ligand exchange using UV/vis absorbance, photoluminescence, 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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