Research

In the Wilkins group, we use radio telescopes to observe how molecules are distributed in star-forming regions to try to understand the relationship between molecular abundances and astrophysical environment. During her PhD work, Dr. Wilkins saw surprising patterns when looking at the relationship between CH₃OD column density and rotational temperature in the Orion Kleinmann-Low (Orion KL) nebula. At Dickinson, she is excited to work with students to look at the distribution of different isotopologues in star-forming regions to understand the chemical heritage of different molecules through their isotopic substitutions.

Students doing observational work in the group work with data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, a premier radio telescope in Chile. They also use (and develop their own) custom computer code written in Python (and many group members learn computer coding on the job!).

We are also building a cosmic ice experiment to investigate how photochemical and thermal processes alter primitive ices in the interstellar medium (ISM). Relatively complex organics form in and from processed ices in space, and that chemistry affects the composition of gases and solids in interstellar and (proto)planetary environments. Our lab space in Rector/Stuart 1105 is ready to welcome some new equipment so we can study these processes and disentangle the chemical pathways that led to the chemistry of the solar system as we know it.

So far, we have set up a new Bruker spectrometer that will allow us to measure the mid-infrared spectrum of cosmic ice samples and monitor how they change during UV photolysis. We are also building an ultrahigh vacuum chamber setup and have been testing vacuum pumps and other instruments while preparing to buy additional equipment.