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 (starting Fall 2024) and is starting to build her research program. 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
25 November 2024 – letter to the editor published in C&EN
Prof. Wilkins wrote a letter to the editor of Chemical & Engineering News about discussing policy in her chemistry classroom after the 2024 election.
4 October 2024 – Our new FTIR arrived in the lab!
5 September 2024 – Olivia Lyon joins the group!
Olivia Lyon joined the group and will be doing experimental astrochemistry research. She will be doing “Laboratory Investigations of Cosmic Ices” as a Dana Research Assistant.
3 September 2024 – Grace Helton joins the group!
Grace Helton joined the group and will be doing observational astrochemistry research. Her project is “ALMA Observations of Methanol Isotopologues in Orion KL” (CHEM 560).
20-23 August 2024 – Prof. Wilkins attends the SciX Workshop at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Prof. Wilkins attended the Science Explorer (SciX) Workshop at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian in Cambridge, MA, as part of her role of SciX Lead Ambassador.
31 July 2024 – The group wins an NRAO Student Observing Support Award!
The group received funding to support two undergraduate summer Research Assistants, one in 2025 and one in 2026. Students interested working with radio astronomy data, molecular emission spectra from interstellar space, or improving computer code are encouraged to fill out the interest form for Summer 2025!
1 July 2024 – Prof. Wilkins receives the ACS Astrochemistry Subdivision Dissertation Award
Prof. Wilkins was named the 2024 Astrochemistry Dissertation Award from the American Chemical Society recipient for her Caltech Ph.D. thesis “High-Resolution Chemical Imaging of Extreme Interstellar Environments”.