The Group
Our research group is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment, where individuals can develop their skills in chemical research, discovery, and teaching, while promoting equity for all.
Dr. Kate M. Marczenko
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Kate obtained her B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Guelph (Guelph, ON). She completed an honours project in the laboratory of Prof. Michael Denk and held a work placement in the laboratory of Prof. Dmitriy Soldatov. Subsequently, Kate obtained a M.Sc. in noble gas and fluorine Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Gary Schrobilgen at McMaster University (Hamilton, ON). She worked on transforming shock-sensitive xenon oxides to shock-insensitive materials. In 2018, Kate moved to Eastern Canada to join the group of Prof. Saurabh Chitnis at Dalhousie University (Halifax, NS). Her Ph.D. thesis examined the chemistry of heavy Group 15 amides. In 2021, Kate returned to the University of Guelph as a Crystallographer and Instructor. Kate started at Carleton University (Ottawa, ON) on June 1, 2023.
Selected Honors
2021: President’s Graduate Student Teaching Award, Dalhousie University
2020: Sumner Fellowship
2020: Michael Smith Foreign Study Exchange Supplement (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
2019: George Cooper Killam Doctoral Graduate Prize
2019: Vanier Canada CGS-D3
2019: NSERC CGS-D3 (Declined)
2019: Killam Predoctoral Scholarship (Level II)
2018: Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship
2018: Ontario Graduate Fellowship (Declined)
2021: President’s Graduate Student Teaching Award, Dalhousie University
2020: Sumner Fellowship
2020: Michael Smith Foreign Study Exchange Supplement (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
2019: George Cooper Killam Doctoral Graduate Prize
2019: Vanier Canada CGS-D3
2019: NSERC CGS-D3 (Declined)
2019: Killam Predoctoral Scholarship (Level II)
2018: Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship
2018: Ontario Graduate Fellowship (Declined)
Current Members
Victoria Pham-Tran, Graduate Student
Victoria grew up in Mississauga before attending the University of Guelph as a biology major. She quickly learned that her interest lies with chemistry and subsequently switched into the honours chemistry program. Victoria has held 3 NSERC USRAs at 3 different institutions, two of which were with the Inorganic Chemistry Exchange (ICE) program. She has thoroughly enjoyed the ability to complete research in different academic settings. Outside the lab, Victoria spends time exploring local parks and reading books. She also loves hanging out with her adorable cat, Willy.
Victoria grew up in Mississauga before attending the University of Guelph as a biology major. She quickly learned that her interest lies with chemistry and subsequently switched into the honours chemistry program. Victoria has held 3 NSERC USRAs at 3 different institutions, two of which were with the Inorganic Chemistry Exchange (ICE) program. She has thoroughly enjoyed the ability to complete research in different academic settings. Outside the lab, Victoria spends time exploring local parks and reading books. She also loves hanging out with her adorable cat, Willy.
Tristan Lacasse, Graduate Student
Tristan was born and raised in Ottawa where he attended Carleton University. He started in computer systems engineering before switching to honours chemistry. Tristan has experience teaching as a sailing instructor and as a teaching assistant. He is drawn to organic chemistry and spectroscopy, which he is eager to research. His previous research involved the degradation of antioxidants in engine oil. His current project is in collaboration with the National Research Council. Tristan enjoys playing hockey, video games and board games.
Tristan was born and raised in Ottawa where he attended Carleton University. He started in computer systems engineering before switching to honours chemistry. Tristan has experience teaching as a sailing instructor and as a teaching assistant. He is drawn to organic chemistry and spectroscopy, which he is eager to research. His previous research involved the degradation of antioxidants in engine oil. His current project is in collaboration with the National Research Council. Tristan enjoys playing hockey, video games and board games.
Xavier Walls, Graduate Student
Xavier is co-supervised with Prof. Alex Ellery at Carleton University.
Xavier Walls received his bachelor's and master's degrees in Chemical Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He worked as a liaison between the IT area and laboratories at the National Genomic Medicine Institute (INMEGEN) in Mexico. He has extensive teaching experience, working first as a teacher's assistant and later as high school teacher for more than 5 years. His research is oriented towards the space sector, studying chemical reactions occurring throughout the universe. He is currently pursuing his doctoral studies in Aerospace Engineering at Carleton University where he is working on the application of chemical reactions for In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU).
Xavier is co-supervised with Prof. Alex Ellery at Carleton University.
Xavier Walls received his bachelor's and master's degrees in Chemical Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He worked as a liaison between the IT area and laboratories at the National Genomic Medicine Institute (INMEGEN) in Mexico. He has extensive teaching experience, working first as a teacher's assistant and later as high school teacher for more than 5 years. His research is oriented towards the space sector, studying chemical reactions occurring throughout the universe. He is currently pursuing his doctoral studies in Aerospace Engineering at Carleton University where he is working on the application of chemical reactions for In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU).
We are always looking for motivated undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in topics in energetic materials, main group chemistry, and crystallography, with potential applications that fall under the broad category of molecules and materials for green and sustainable transformations.
If you resonate with the description above, kindly send Kate a brief email expressing your interest and your CV.
If you resonate with the description above, kindly send Kate a brief email expressing your interest and your CV.
Group Alumni:
James Moffat, M.Sc., F23-25.
Soumyadeep Sarkar, MITACS exchange student, S24.
Kailey Gallant, ICE program, S24.
Jerry Diener, CHEM4908, W24.
Adriana Bacon, I-CURUES 2024, W24.
Marshall Atherton, I-CURUES 2024, F23.
James Moffat, M.Sc., F23-25.
Soumyadeep Sarkar, MITACS exchange student, S24.
Kailey Gallant, ICE program, S24.
Jerry Diener, CHEM4908, W24.
Adriana Bacon, I-CURUES 2024, W24.
Marshall Atherton, I-CURUES 2024, F23.