03/30/26 Seminar from Dr. Mark Eberhart
Prof. Mark E. Eberhart from the Colorado School of Mines and founder of First Principles Materials Design and Software presented an engaging seminar titled The Art and Science of Charge Density Analysis. His talk highlighted how the structure and morphology of electron density shape chemical reactivity and offer new ways to understand transition states and bonding. We are grateful to Mark for a fascinating seminar and a great discussion!
03/25 – 03/27 FACT 2026 Conference. Seattle, WA
Dr. Popov and Iaroslav had the opportunity to present their research at the 3rd International Workshop on Theory Frontiers in Actinide Science: Chemistry & Materials (FACT 2026). The conference provided a valuable platform to share their work, engage in insightful discussions, and connect with researchers in the field. We are sincerely grateful to the organizing committee for putting together such an excellent meeting and to the University of Washington for hosting this event.
03/13/26 Physical Chemistry Seminar from Iaroslav
Graduate student Iaroslav Gureev delivered his Physical Chemistry seminar at WSU, presenting recent research on orbital localization–driven disruption of peripheral bonding in valence-isoelectronic B12– clusters.
His work examines how electronic structure governs bonding patterns across valence-isoelectronic series of boron clusters doped with group 13 metals, offering new insights into the limitations of the valence-isoelectronic principle.
His work examines how electronic structure governs bonding patterns across valence-isoelectronic series of boron clusters doped with group 13 metals, offering new insights into the limitations of the valence-isoelectronic principle.
02/23 – 02/24 2026 SSAP Symposium. Washington D.C.
Chad and Iaroslav presented their research posters at the 2026 Stewardship Science Academic Programs (SSAP) Symposium, where they engaged with fellow students, scientists, and collaborators from across the TRUCoRE team and SSAP community!
Many thanks to the NNSA and ORISE organizers for hosting another outstanding symposium!
Many thanks to the NNSA and ORISE organizers for hosting another outstanding symposium!
08/17 – 08/20 2025 Washington D.C. ACS Fall 2025 Conference
Chad and Dr. Popov capitalized their work by presenting their research at the Fall 2025 American Chemical Society (ACS) conference in Washington D.C. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with old colleagues and make new connections from across the country. We would especially like to thank the chemists in the NUCL division for organizing several excellent symposia.
06/10 – 06/11 2025 SSAP Symposium. Chicago, IL
Graduate students Chad and Iaroslav had the opportunity to present their research posters at the 2025 Stewardship Science Academic Programs (SSAP) Symposium, where they also connected with nearly all members of the TRUCoRE team!
A big thank you to Terri Stone and the entire organizing team at the NNSA and ORISE for putting together such a valuable and well-run symposium!
A big thank you to Terri Stone and the entire organizing team at the NNSA and ORISE for putting together such a valuable and well-run symposium!
04/23/25 Seminar from Dr. Justin Walensky
Prof. Justin Walensky from the University of Missouri, Columbia gave an exciting seminar on the chemistry of small molecule activation with actinide complexes. He discussed the interesting properties that emerge when using soft Lewis bases to bind to an actinide center as well as the ability of low valent uranium compounds to act as a powerful reducing agent. Thanks, Justin, for the great talk!
04/03 – 04/05 2025 DOE/NNSA Undergraduate Recruitment Workshop
Grad student Chad Studvick and undergraduate student Jonah Sprosty attended the DOE/NNSA Undergraduate Recruitment Workshop at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA. Chad showcased his research on low- and high-valent actinide complexes supported by the Transuranic Center of Research Excellence (TRU CORE) funded by the National Nuclear Security Administration of the Department of Energy.
03/24/25 Seminar from Dr. Laura Motta
Dr. Laura Motta from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution visited our group and gave an exciting talk on isotope effects. She discussed the origin of actinide isotope effects in relation to chemical bonding and followed with an exploration of the unexpected and rare magnetic isotope effects observed in organometallic mercury compounds in marine waters. Thanks, Laura, for the great talk!
02/07/25 Seminar from Dr. Richard Cox
It was a pleasure hosting Dr. Cox, a staff scientist from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, who gave a stimulating talk on the thermochemical data derived from these ICPMS/MS studies, which suggest that there is a “switch” in reactivity and bonding between Np+ and Pu+, described as a shift from An-L+ bonding defined by orbital overlap for the early An to bonding driven by orbital energy degeneracy for the later An.
02/06/25 Seminar from Dr. Zhong-Ming Sun
Dr. Zhong-Ming Sun from Nankai University gave an exciting seminar on new sandwich compounds with group 15 cyclo-rings as ligands. Thank you Zhong-Ming for visiting and giving a wonderful presentation!
01/27-01/30 Aromaticity 2025
Dr. Popov gave an invited talk on geometric and electronic structure evolution of Group 13 hydrides at the international conference Aromaticity 2025 held in Merida, Mexico! Thank you the organizers – Gabriel Merino, Miquel Solà, and Henrik Ottosson – for the kind invitation, hospitality, and wonderful organization of the conference!
11/22/24 New HPC Nodes
Amazing news! 15 new HPC nodes for our group have safely arrived and been installed at the Center for Institutional Research Computing (CIRC) thus expanding the Kamiak HPC cluster at WSU. We would like to acknowledge the support from the National Nuclear Security Administration (grant DE-NA0004151), which made this purchase possible! Also, kudos to the CIRC’s deputy director, Peter Mills, and administrative services manager, Tim Neumann, for the strong support and help with the quick purchase and installation!
11/18/24 Seminar from Dr. Nathan Bessen
Dr. Nathan Bessen from PNNL visited our group and gave a departmental seminar on the actinides separations in the nuclear fuel cycle. Thank you Nathan for the great talk and fruitful discussions!
11/06-11/09 CERM 2024
Chad gave second oral presentation at the conference, presenting his research on the computational modeling of high-valent transuranics at the Central Regional ACS Meeting (CERM) in his hometown, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
11/04/24 Seminar from Professor Wanlu Li
We would like to thank Prof. Dr. Wanlu Li from the University of California San Diego for giving an exciting talk about the computational modeling of actinide- and lanthanide-doped boron clusters! It was great hosting you, thank you for the visit!
10/22/24 New Computers in the Popov Lab
Grad students Iaroslav and Zaman received their brand-new desktop machines from Lenovo! Congrats!!! Thanks Yoshi and Miles for the strong support with the set-up and tuning things up!
07/28-08/03 ICCC 2024
Dr. Popov got in touch with his wild side in Fort Collins, Colorado during the International Conference of Coordination Chemistry (ICCC) at Colorado State University.
06/23-06/26 NORM 2024
Dr. Popov and Chad enjoyed the rolling green hills of Pullman Washington during the northwest regional ACS meeting (NORM) at Washington State University.
05/02/24 University of Akron Early Research and Creativity Award
Dr. Popov was rewarded with the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences Early Research and Creativity Award for his outstanding performance as a professor at the University of Akron
04/17/24 University of Akron LIFE Awards
Chad was rewarded with the Doctoral Scholar LIFE Award for his excellence in research, community outreach, and campus activities
04/03/24 University of Akron Graduate Student Research Day
Chad presented his exciting research on actinide chemistry to an audience of UA graduate students from all departments. Afterwards, he met with the Chancellor to discuss his research. Congratulations Chad!
04/02/24 University of Akron Chemistry Department Awards Banquet
Chad and Jonah were recognized for their achievements in research and scholastic performance during the academic year. Congratulations guys!
03/16-03/21 New Orleans, LA
ACS Spring 2024 Conference
03/01/24 Jonah’s History of Quantum Chemistry
Let’s recap the history of quantum mechanics together with the undergraduate student Jonah Sprosty who gave one of his first presentations. It was very informative! Amazing job, Jonah!
02/20-02/22 Arlington, VA
2024 SSAP Symposium organized by the National Nuclear Security Administration of the Department of Energy
12/21/23 Pittsburgh, PA
The second annual Popov Lab Pittsburgh Penguin’s game.
10/13/23 Presentation from Professor Kuznetzov
Professor Kuznetzov, from Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria (USM), Chile, presents his research to our group
06/04-06/09 Actinides 2023 Conference in Golden, CO
04/06/23 University of Akron Celebration of Undergraduate Research
George and Alexis proudly show off their research to yearning learners
04/04/23 University of Akron Chemistry Department Awards Banquet
Chad and Dr. Popov got to enjoy time with this year’s Charles M. Knight Lecturer, Dr. J. V. Ortiz!
03/26 – 03/30 ACS Spring 2023, Indianapolis, IN
February 26, 2023 – March 1, 2023 2nd International Workshop on Theory Frontiers in Actinide Science: Chemistry & Materials
Dr. Popov is checking out posters made by Julie Niklas and Kate Otte, our collaborators from the La Pierre group
02/21/23 Akron Local Section ACS Meeting
Chad enjoys his time at R. Shea Brewing for the Akron ACS meeting on Mardi Gras! Dr. Eagan gave an excellent talk on the synthesis of more environmentally friendly polymers.
12/30/22 Pittsburgh, PA
Chad and Dr. Popov show their love for hockey at the Pittsburgh Penguin’s game. Go Malkin!!
09/20/22 Akron, OH
It’s always important to support your members’ extra-curricular activities! Alexis does a great job playing lacrosse!
09/15/22 Akron, OH
George, Alexis, and Chad love to go to Chipotle after weekly group meetings!
