Nicholas Strange (PI)

Nick is a native of the Midwest having lived in both Michigan and Indiana. With broad interests, Nick originally pursued Forensic & Investigative Sciences at Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (now IU Indianapolis) before transitioning further into Chemistry, obtaining Bachelor's degrees in both Chemistry and Forensic Chemistry from Purdue University with an emphasis in analytical chemistry. As an undergraduate he worked with John Goodpaster on focused on chromatography-based separations and identification of volatile molecules from explosives and pseudo-explosives designed to mimic nitroaromatic (TNT) and plastic (C4) explosives. He then interned at with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives National Laboratory Center, working on solvent extractions and chromatographic analysis essential oils from common spices used in peroxide-based explosives. These research experiences in combination with growing interests in physics and mathematics him to pursue a Ph.D in physical chemistry at the University of Tennessee (UTK), advised by J.Z. Larese. At UTK, Nick worked on a variety of projects revolving around neutron scattering techniques to understand  structure and dynamics of small molecules adsorbed on uniform substrates. Upon completion of his Ph.D. in 2018, Nick accepted a postdoc role working for NREL on permanent assignment at SLAC, co-advised by Tom Gennett and Mike Toney, pursuing advanced X-ray scattering techniques to examine novel hydrogen storage materials. In 2021, Nick transitioned into a staff role at SLAC, where he currently leverages the unique capabilities of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource to advance materials for hydrogen and carbon capture technologies.