Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Biography

2019-present

Concurrent Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame

2016-present

Professor of Physics, University of Notre Dame

2015-present

Co-founder, Chief Technical Officer, UMP Analytical

2011-2016

Elmer E. Hartgerink Professor of Chemistry, Hope College

2008-2012

Chair, Department of Chemistry, Hope College

2007-2011

Professor of Chemistry & Environmental Science, Hope College

2000-2007

Associate Professor of Chemistry & Environmental Science, Hope College

1993-2000

Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Environmental Science, Hope College

1990-1993

Postdoctoral Fellow, National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory

1988-1990

Postdoctoral Fellow, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

1987

Ph.D. in Chemical Physics, State University of New York - Stony Brook

1981

A.B. in Chemistry, Princeton University

Selected Awards

2019

Fellow of the American Chemical Society

Research Interests

Applied Nuclear Physics encompasses a broad array of experimental measurements, and my research interests lie at the interface between any nuclear or atomic physics measurement method and materials that impact society. This is the definition of applied research, in the sense that my group typically does not develop the basic techniques that have existed for decades in some cases, but we work on applying traditional methods in novel environments. Most of our measurements are accelerator-based (known as Ion Beam Analysis), where light charged particles are used to bombard the surface of some solid material. The resultant x-rays, gamma-rays or UV-Vis light emitted, plus the scattering of charged particles can yield important information about the elemental content and distribution within a sample. These measurements have applications when they determine the presence of lead in paint, or halogenated flame-retardants in furniture, or the occurrence of per-and polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS) in the environment. Other work involves the harvesting of long-lived radioisotopes from accelerators for medical, environmental or defense purposes. In each case the successful publication of new science using nuclear physics techniques leads to societal impact.

Recent Publications

• McGuinness, S. R., Ferran, S. J., Wilkinson, J. T., Loveless, C. S., Anderson, T., Blankstein, D., Clark, A. M., Henderson, S. L., Nelson, A. D., Reingold, C. S., Skulski, M., Lapi, S. E., Peaslee, G. F. "Production of ⁵²Fe from symmetric complete fusion-evaporation reactions" 2021 Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 493, pp. 15-18. DOI:10.1016/j.nimb.2021.02.008.
• Ringwald, P., Chapin, C., Iceman, C., Tighe, M. E., Sisk, M., Peaslee, G. F., Peller, J., Wells, E. M. "Characterization and within-site variation of environmental metal concentrations around a contaminated site using a community-engaged approach" 2021 Chemosphere, 272, 129915. DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129915.
• Shusterman, J. A., Scielzo, N. D., Abel, E. P., Clause, H. K., Dronchi, N. D., Frey, W. D., Gharibyan, N., Hart, J. A., Loveless, C. S., McGuinness, S. R., Sutherlin, L. T., Thomas, K. J., Lapi, S. E., Robertson, J. D., Stoyer, M. A., Norman, E. B., Peaslee, G. F., Severin, G. W., Shaughnessy, D. A. "Aqueous harvesting of Zr 88 at a radioactive-ion-beam facility for cross-section measurements" 2021 Physical Review C, 103 (2), 024614. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevC.103.024614.
• Wu, Y., Miller, G. Z., Gearhart, J., Peaslee, G., Venier, M. "Side-chain fluorotelomer-based polymers in children car seats" 2021 Environmental Pollution, 268, 115477. DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115477.
• Young, A. S., Sparer-Fine, E. H., Pickard, H. M., Sunderland, E. M., Peaslee, G. F., Allen, J. G. "Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and total fluorine in fire station dust" 2021 Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, in press. DOI:10.1038/s41370-021-00288-7.
• Wilkinson, J. T., McGuinness, S. R., Peaslee, G. F. "External beam normalization measurements using atmospheric argon gamma rays" 2020 Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 484, pp. 1-4. DOI:10.1016/j.nimb.2020.10.007.