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.
Dr. 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
4 February 2026 – Our latest paper on ALMA observations of Orion KL was published in ACS Earth and Space Chemistry!
The observational subgroup’s paper, “Robustness of Pixel-by-Pixel Column Density and Rotational Temperature Mapping in the Orion KL Nebula“, was published in ACS Earth and Space Chemistry! Congratulations to current and former group members Boriana Yotzova, Kylee Preller, Grace Helton, and Evelyn Pham!
22 January 2026 – Silvia Roberto ’29 joins the group!
Silvia Roberto will be working on the NASA-funded project “Laboratory Investigations of Chemical Evolution in UV-Photolyzed Cosmic Ices around Young Stars” (RIA, PI: Wilkins) along with Millia Martinez.
5 January 2026 – Dr. Wilkins presents at AAS.
Dr. Wilkins presented iPoster and oral presentations on “Building a Cosmic Ice Experiment at a Small Liberal Arts College” at the 247th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Phoenix.
18 September 2025 – Katie Lynskey ’26 joins the group!
Katie Lynskey is conducting independent research on “Developing Data Analysis Tools for Laboratory Spectra Using Python” (CHEM 560). She is learning Python alongside applying her new programming skills to a script that will be used to plot infrared spectra measured in the lab.
4 August 2025 – The lab’s NASA RIA proposal is selected!
Dr. Wilkins’s NASA ROSES (Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences) Research Initiation Award (RIA) program was selected for the ROSES-24 cycle! The award will be used to fund equipment, research students, and conference travel for the lab.
2 June 2025 – Kylee Preller ’27 joins the group!
Kylee Preller is funded through Dickinson’s Student-Faculty Collaborative Research (SFR) program. She will be working on “High Resolution Imaging of Methanol Isotopologues in Orion KL” for eight weeks in Summer 2025!
19 May 2025 – Boriana Yotzova ’26 joins the group!
Boriana Yotzova is funded through an NRAO Student Observing Support (SOS) Award. She will be working on “High Resolution Imaging of Methanol Isotopologues in Orion KL” for eight weeks in Summer 2025!
12 May 2025 – Millia Martinez ’28 joins the group!
Millia Martinez is funded through Dickinson’s Student-Faculty Collaborative Research (SFR) program. She will be working on “Building a Cosmic Ice Experiment” for six weeks in Summer 2025!