Undergraduate Research Students of William F. Polik
 

 
# Name Dates Project Title Outcome
1 Brian A. Vroon '90 8/88-8/90 Computer control and data acquisition for Fluorescence Excitation and Dispersed Fluorescence experiments M.D. from the University of Michigan, 1994; U.S. Air Force Captain
2 Charles D. Emery '93 1/89-8/91 Rotationally resolved Dispersed Fluorescence spectroscopy of H2CO Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Duke University; Employed at Siemens Medical Systems
3 Barry R. Fuller '90 1/89-5/89 Hollow cathode lamp laser frequency calibration device implementation M.D. from Jefferson Medical College
4 John H. Higuchi '89 1/89-5/89 Sample cell and positioning equipment construction M.B.A. from George Washington University; 1995; Employed at American Chemical Society
5 Nicole L. Leitz '89 1/89-12/89 Synthesis of H2CO and HFCO for spectroscopic study M.S. in organic chemistry from Bucknell University; 1994; Employed at Ferndale Labs
6 Ramin Nourbakhsh '89 1/89-5/89 Fluorescence imaging optics; Chemical literature searching Chemistry graduate school at Iowa State University
7 Matthew T. Vonk '90 1/89-5/89 Design and assembly of sample cell Ph.D. in physics from University of Minnesota
8 David F. DeBoer '91 6/89-5/91 Design and construction of molecular beam chamber; Fluorescence Excitation and Dispersed Fluorescence spectroscopy of H2CO Chemistry graduate school at Indiana University
9 Sandra L. Kubala Byrne '90 6/89-5/90 Fluorescence Excitation and Dispersed Fluorescence spectroscopy of CH3CHO, Rotational relaxation of H2CO M.S. in chemistry from Indiana University - Purdue University; Employed at Dow-Elanco
10 Kenneth S. Overway '93 9/89-8/93 Synchronization electronics for laser and molecular beam, Rotationally resolved Dispersed Fluorescence spectroscopy of H2CO, Rotationally resolved Fluorescence Excitation spectroscopy of CH3CHO Ph.D. in chemistry from Purdue University; Professor of Chemistry at Bridgewater College
11 Christopher A. Briggs '92 1/90-5/91 Design and assembly of vacuum system; Molecular beam spectroscopy Employed at Parke-Davis
12 Mark G. Fromhold '92 1/90-5/90 Construction of etalon/photodiode array laser linewidth monitor Ph.D. in chemistry from Indiana University; Director of Manufacturing at Koronis Pharmaceuticals
13 Shawn H. Phillips '92 1/90-5/90 Design and construction of vacuum interlock controls for molecular beam chamber Ph.D. in chemistry from University of California, Irvine; Air Force Research Laboratory
14 Amy J. Poel '92 1/90-5/90 Synthesis of H2CO for spectroscopic study Employed as molecular biology laboratory technician at Hope College
15 Aaron K. Sherwood '92 1/90-5/90 Synthesis of H2CO for spectroscopic study M.S. in chemical engineering, Wayne State University
16 Donald E. Smart '94 1/90-5/90 Design and construction of temperature monitor Plans to attend physics graduate school
17 Andrew K. (Xin) Chen '92 5/90-8/92 Rotational relaxation studies of H2CO M.S. in chemical engineering from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Employed at BASF
18 Mei M. Zhang '92 9/90-5/91 Computer interface of digital oscilloscope Employed at Continental Plastic Containers as computer support specialist
19 Richard G. Blair '94 11/90-5/94 Spectroscopy of diatomic molecules; Installation of excimer laser; Fluorescence Excitation spectroscopy of inorganic complexes Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of California, Los Angeles; Professor of Chemistry at University of Central Florida
20 Kevin B. Kar '92 1/91-8/91 Preparation and characterization of monodisperse polymer colloidal arrays M.S. in chemical engineering from Purdue University; Employed at National Semiconductor as process engineer
21 Rychard J. Bouwens '94 5/91-8/94 Theory of rovibronic coupling in polyatomic molecules; Assignment of H2CO Dispersed Fluorescence spectrum Ph.D. in physics from University of California, Berkeley; Professor at Leiden University
22 Dirk B. Joldersma '95 10/91-5/92 Alignment and calibration of monochromator M.P.A. in Economics, Harvard University
23 Feler Bose '94 1/92-5/93 Installation and alignment of dye laser system M. S. in chemistry from Georgia Tech; Ph.D. in economics from George Mason University; Professor of Economics at Alma College
24 Andrew J. Toering '93 1/92-5/92 Assembly of gas sample cell and fluorescence detection system M.S. in chemistry from Institute of Paper Science and Technology at Georgia Tech; Employed as Research Scientist at Rhone Povlenc
25 Tineke A. Stegink (exchange student) 5/92-8/92 Pure vibrational Dispersed Fluorescence spectroscopy of H2CO M.S. in chemistry, University of Gronigen
26 Patrick M. Yorba (NSF-REU student) 5/92-8/92 Pure vibrational Dispersed Fluorescence spectroscopy of H2CO M.D. from Georgetown University
27 Esther Rivas (high school sudent) 5/92-8/92 Ester hydrolysis reaction rates and mechanisms Graduated from Northwestern University
28 David J. LaPointe '95 9/92-12/92 Ester hydrolysis reaction rates and mechanisms Moved to Germany
29 Jon A. Hammerschmidt '94 1/93-5/94 Pure vibrational Dispersed Fluorescence spectroscopy of H2CO Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of Minnesota
30 Xavier Y. Lauteslager (exchange student) 5/93-8/93 Rotationally resolved Fluorescence Excitation spectroscopy of CH3CHO Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of Amsterdam
31 Martha M. Grzeskowiak (NSF-REU student) 5/93-8/93 Pure vibrational Dispersed Fluorescence spectroscopy of H2CO M.D. from Michigan State University
32 Derek M. Draft '93 9/93-5/94 Raman spectroscopy of liquids and gases D.D.S. from University of Michigan
33 Tyson O. Friday '96 9/93-8/96 Photodissociation dynamics of Co(CO)3NO; Cavity ringdown spectroscopy of CH2CHCHO M.S. in Chemistry from University of Iowa; employed at Frontier Natural Products Co-op
34 Bryan R. Goodman '94 1/94-5/94 Photodissociation dynamics of Co(CO)3NO Ph.D. in chemistry from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Employed at Ford Motor Company
35 Steven E. Kooi '94 1/94-5/94 Photodissociation dynamics of Co(CO)3NO Ph.D. in chemistry from Pennsylvania State University
36 Gregory D. Martin '97 1/96-5/97 Pure vibrational Dispersed Fluorescence spectroscopy of D2CO M.S. in Environmental Science from Indiana University; Employed at Dow Chemical Company
37 Todd P. Chassee '99 5/96-8/97 Pure vibrational Dispersed Fluorescence spectroscopy of D2CO; Synthesis of HFCO for Spectrocopic Study M.D. from University of Michigan
38 Margaret L. Graske '99 5/96-5/97 Cavity ringdown spectroscopy of CH2CHCHO Ph.D. in chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Employed at Cayman Chemical
39 J. Ruud van Ommen (exchange student) 6/96-8/96 Polyad model for molecular vibrational states Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Delft University of Technology; Professor of Chemical Engineering at Delft University of Technology
40 Katie M. Horsman '00 1/97-5/00 Dispersed Fluorescence Spectroscopy of HFCO Ph.D. in Forensic Chemistry Graduate from University of Virginia
41 Kevin W. Paulisse '99 3/97-8/99 Computation and Assignment of the Acrolein S1Vibronic Spectrum; Discus Discussion Forum Software Graduate School in chemistry at University of Wisconsin; Independent Software Developer
42 Michael V. Harris '01 10/97-4/98 Computer Installation and Java Applet Development and Testing Plans to attend graduate school
43 Jordan R. Schmidt '01 10/98-6/01 WebMO Web-Based Computational Chemistry Software Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of Wisconsin, Madison; Professor of Chemistry at University of Wisconsin
44 Karen E. Hahn '02 1/99-7/01 Dispersed Fluorescence Spectroscopy of HFCO M.D. from University of Michigan
45 Joel C. Berrier '02 1/99-5/99 Set up Sample Transfer and Vacuum System
46 Ronald J. Heemstra '01 3/99-12/00 Synthesis of HFCO; Analysis of D2CO Dispersed Fluorescence Spectra Senior Associate Scientist at Pfizer
47 Benjamin A. Ellingson (NSF-REU student) 5/00-8/00 Analysis of highly mixed vibrational states Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of Minnesota; Senior Scientist at Abbvie
48 Elijah T. Scheele '06 10/02-12/03 Building a Computational Chemistry Cluster Computer Employed in Computer Services Industry
49 David M. Gorno '06 1/03-7/03 Production of Narrow-Band Laser Light Independent Business Person
50 Jennica A. Skoug '06 2/03-7/03 Synthesis of HFCO and DFCO Mathematics Major
51 Michael A. Cortez '05 10/03-8/05 High-Accuracy Harmonic Frequency Calculations of Polyatomic Molecules Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Cornell University; Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Utah State University
52 Stephanie N. Harrier '07 10/03-5/04 Alignment of Laser Systems D.V.M. from Michigan State University
53 Brian D. Lajiness '07 11/03-5/07 Construction of Pyrolysis Nozzle M.D. from University of Indiana
54 James P. Lajiness '07 11/03-8/05 Synthesis of HDCO Ph.D.in Chemistry from Scripps Insitute
55 Michael L. Poublon '06 2/04-7/06 Automation of Computer Cluster Installation and Administration Information Technology Specialist, Kalamazoo School System
56 Jennifer D. Herdman (NSF-REU student) 5/04-5/05 Dispersed Fluorescence Spectroscopy of H2CO Ph.D. in Chemistry from George Washington University
57 John L. Davisson '07 5/04-5/08 Quartic Force Field Calculations of Polyatomic Molecules M.D. from University of Indiana
58 Kristin K. Ellsworth '08 5/05-7/08 Dispersed Fluorescence Spectroscopy of HDCO Dental School at University of Michigan
59 Benjamin E. Van Kuiken (NSF-REU student) 5/05-8/05 Coupled Cluster Calculations of HnC2N and HnC2P Ph.D. in chemistry, University of Washington
60 Danielle M. Ladd (NSF-REU student) 5/06-8/06 Computational Ab Initio Study of Diazene and Diphosphene Ph.D. in chemistry, Arizona State University
61 Ross A. Ogilvie '09 5/06-8/06 Potential Energy Scans of Ketene M.D. from Michigan State University
62 Benjamin M. Strong '09 5/06-12/06 Potential Energy Scans of Water M.D. from Wayne State University
63 Forrest S. Gordon '09 4/07-5/08 Using Multiple Configurations in Potential Energy Scans Graduate School in Mathematics at Louisiana State University
64 Christopher D. Jordan '09 4/07-8/08 Assignment and Modeling of Highly Excited Vibrational States in CHF and CDF Ph.D. in chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison
65 Kent C. Kammermeier '11 1/10-5/11 Development of a Pulsed Elecrtic Discharge Nozzle for production of Radicals Graduate School in Chemistry at UC Colorado, Boulder
66 Howard A. Dobbs '13 3/10-5/12 Implementation of a new Intensified Charge Coupled Device Detector Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, UC Santa Barbara; Employed at Raytheon
67 Robert A. Polik (high school student) 6/10-7/10 Computer Interfacing the Physical Chemistry Laboratory Chemical Engineering at University of Michigan, Employed at 3M Corporation
68 Nathan Redder (high school student) 6/10-7/10 Computer Interfacing the Physical Chemistry Laboratory Nuclear Engineering at College at University of Michigan, U.S. Navy Officern
69 Andreana M. Rosnik '13 9/10-7/13 Transforming the Vibrational Hamiltonian of a Polyatomic Molecule using Van Vleck Perturbation Theory Ph.D. in Chemistry, UC Berkeley
70 R. Jeffrey Largent '11 4/11-7/11 Algorithmic Determination of Point Groups in Nearly Symmetric Molecules M.S. in Computer Science from Indiana University
71 Benjamin J. Pollock '13 9/12-5/13 Computation of Photochrome Reaction Pathways M.S. in Chemistry, University of Wisconsin at Madison; Employed at Thermo Fischer Scientific
72 Joshua A. Kammeraad '14 1/13-5/14 Predicting and Fitting Mixed Vibrational States to a Multi-Resonant Hamiltonian Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Michigann
73 Richard C. Edwards '17 1/13-7/14 Development of Computational Chemistry Educational Resources Chemical Industry
74 Nathan R. Vance '17 1/13-7/17 Computer Clusters, Android Apps, and Cloud Computing Ph.D. in Computer Science, Notre Dame
75 Daniel J. SantaLucia '16 5/15-4/16 Calculation of Tetrathiooxalate Complexes Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison
76 Kyra D. Ross '20 3/17-11/2 Laser Repair and Alignment Pfizer Process Engineer
77 Peter E. Timperman '18 5/17-5/18 PyScan: Computer Interfacing of Laboratory Instrumentation Software Engineer, Snapdragon Chemistry, Waltham, MA
78 Julian N. Payne '19 12/17-4/19 Interfacing Laboratory Instrumentation with a Raspberry Pi Software Consultant, Cognizant, Munich, Germany
79 Gregory J. Campbell '19 1/19-8/20 Cloud-Based Chemistry Applications Acumen Solutions, Cleveland, OH
80 Carl I. Best '23 5/19-7/19 OmniScan: Interfacing Laboratory Instruments with Python Holland Hospital IT Customer Support, Holland MI
81 Claire J. Benedict '23 9/19-11/20 Alignment of Laser System and Monochromator Repair Hope student
82 Anna Prins '22 7/20-8/20 Interfacing Laboratory Instruments with Python Code Blue Corporation
83 Grace Zwiers '22 1/21-9/21 Developing a Framework for Assessing Online Labs to Maximize Student Experience P.A. program, Midwestern University
84 Colin D. Bradley '23 5/22-8/22 WebMO Video Tutorials Hope student
85 Caleb D. Brzezinsky '26 9/22-pres Layered Quantum Chemistry Calculations Hope student
 

 
William F. Polik 
Department of Chemistry 
Hope College 
Holland, MI 49422-9000 
 
phone: (616) 395-7639 
fax: (616) 395-7118 
email: polik@hope.edu 
url: http://www.chem.hope.edu/~polik