Astrochemistry is the study of molecules in space, from their formation in molecular clouds of gas and dust in the interstellar medium to the evolution of chemical complexity alongside star and planet formation. Astrochemists use astronomical observations, laboratory experiments, and computational modeling to figure out what molecules are out there and the pathways by which they are connected. In the Wilkins Group at Dickinson, we study molecules in space via observations and experiments.
Prof. Olivia Harper Wilkins is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Dickinson and has been building her research program (since Fall 2024). This website will be updated to share that journey. Students looking to help build the lab or get their hands on some radio telescope data should email Prof. Wilkins to introduce themselves and set up a time to chat about their research goals and interests.
Highlights
5 April 2025 – Dr. Wilkins, Olivia Lyon, and Grace Helton presented at the Central PA Consortium (CPC) Astronomers’ Meeting
The Central PA Consortium (CPC) Astronomers’ Meeting was held on Dickinson’s campus. Dr. Wilkins and Olivia Lyon co-presented “Building a Cosmic Ice Experiment”, and Grace Helton presented her poster “Methanol Isotopologues in Orion KL”.
24 March 2025 – Dr. Wilkins presented at ACS Spring 2025
Dr. Wilkins gave an invited talk, “High Resolution Imaging of Methanol Isotopologues in Orion KL”, at the ACS Spring 2025 meeting. Her talk connected current work with students Grace Helton and Evelyn Pham to her PhD dissertation, for which she was awarded the Astrochemistry Subdivision’s Outstanding Dissertation Award (2024). Olivia Lyon also attended to present work from her Summer 2024 REU at UMich.
11 March 2025 – Dr. Wilkins gave a seminar about astrochemistry to ACS Western Carolinas
Dr. Wilkins visited the Western Carolinas Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS Western Carolinas) and gave a seminar about astrochemistry at their monthly meeting. The talk was held at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC.
4 February 2025 – Congratulations to Grace on her graduation!
Grace Helton graduated a semester early with a B.S. in Chemistry.
22 January 2025 – Evelyn Pham joins the group!
Evelyn Pham ’26 began research as a Dana Research Assistant doing optimization of data analysis code for ALMA observations of methanol isotopologues.