Inorganic chemistry and catalysis
at Duquesne University
PEOPLE
Principal Investigator
Paul A. Lummis
M.Chem University of Leeds (Advisor: Terry Kee)
Ph.D. University of Alberta (Advisor: Eric Rivard)
PDF UC Davis (Philip Power)
Queen's University (Cathleen Crudden)
Paul was born and raised in the UK and spent most of his younger years in the lovely county of Derbyshire. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Leeds, where he obtained his joint B.Sc./M.Sc. in chemistry with a year exchange at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Following his undergraduate studies, Paul worked in industry for 3 years in the UK and Canada, before returning to school to study for his Ph.D. under the supervision of Prof. Eric Rivard at The University of Alberta. During this time, he studied the chemistry of d-block metal hydrides, in addition to low-valent tetrylene complexes. Paul's PDFs with Professors Philip Power and Cathleen Crudden further expanded his experience working in p- and d-block cluster chemistry. When not in the lab, Paul loves to read, cook for whoever is in sight, and become far too emotionally invested in his favorite sports teams.
Team members
Ashley Banks
Graduate Student,
B. Sc. Duquesne University
Ashley is an graduate student who started at the Community College of Allegheny County, then transferred to Duquesne University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. She worked for two years doing research under Dr. Bloomfield at Duquesne studying electrolysis and organic chemistry, before transferring in her senior year to work on metal hydrides in the Lummis lab, where she remains for her graduate work. In Ashley’s free time, she enjoys playing the drums, practicing jiu jitsu, and replaying Majora’s Mask far too many times.
Derek Bedillion
Graduate Student
B. Sc. Washington & Jefferson College
Derek grew up on a farm outside of Claysville, PA. He completed his undergraduate at Washington & Jefferson College, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts/American Chemistry Society degree in Chemistry, and did research under Dr. Iuliucci, Dr. Polvani, and Dr. Bayline. He is starting his graduate career in the Lummis lab group and is excited to be working on metal hydrides project. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, cooking, playing tennis, and hanging out with friends at Pittsburgh's finer bars.
Cameron Boley
Graduate Student
B. Sc. Washington & Jefferson College
Cameron is from Washington, PA and attended Washington & Jefferson College. There, he obtained his B.A. in materials chemistry and performed research under Dr. Robbie Iuliucci. He is excited to start his graduate career in the Lummis lab at Duquesne and will be working on the Aza-DIPY project. In his free time, Cameron enjoys going to concerts, hiking, cooking/avoiding subsequent cleanup, and visiting his dog, Moose, back in Washington.
Liz Colecchia
Graduate Student
B. Sc. Seton Hill University
Liz is from Greensburg, PA and attended university at Seton Hill University where she obtained her B.S. In chemistry. She did research under Dr. Ashley Bartelson while there and is starting her graduate career in the Lummis lab at Duquesne University where she will be working on the dinitrogen activation project. During her free time, she enjoys shopping, baking cookies, playing volleyball, and trying new restaurants with her friends.
Verónica Doble
Undergraduate Student, Duquesne '25
Verónica grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After finishing high school there, she decided to come to Duquesne University to start her undergrad. She started doing research in the Lummis Lab group and is excited to be working on the dinitrogen fixation project. In her spare time, Verónica enjoys cooking, going swimming with friends, and binging TV shows.
Carley Csikos
Undergraduate Student, Duquesne '25
Carley grew up in Johnstown, PA and is currently pursuing both a B.S. in Environmental Chemistry and a Master’s in Environmental Science and Management. She started doing research her sophomore year and is currently working on the Dinitrogen Activation project. Carley is a staff coordinator for the Orientation program, an admissions ambassador, a member of the American Chemical Society on campus, and a student mentor. During her free time, she likes to go to concerts, skateboard, play video games, paint, and explore the city.
Alayna Funke
Undergraduate Student, Duquesne '26
Alayna grew up in Ashtabula, Ohio and she is now working in towards her B.S. in chemistry. She hopes to attend graduate school upon completion of her bachelor's degree, and currently works on the Aza-DIPY project in the Lummis lab. Outside of her course work and research, Alayna is the current president of the American Chemical Society and the Women in STEM student assistant. She enjoys traveling, painting, and spending time with friends.
Kayla Pugliese
Undergraduate Student, Duquesne '26
Kayla grew up in Lansdale PA and she is currently completing her B.S in Chemistry. She began researching her freshman year and is now a part of the Lummis Lab working on the Aza-DIPY project. Kayla is a chemistry tutor, a member of the American Chemical Society and an exec board member of the Alpha Chi Sigma Chemistry Fraternity. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, going down the shore, and spending time with family.
Allison Zeiss
Undergraduate Student, Duquesne '26
I am an undergraduate Environmental Chemistry student at Duquesne University. My passions for the environment motivate me to get involved in innovative chemical research such as the metal-hydride research I conduct here in the Lummis Lab. I have previous computational research experience from my work with the Ye Research group and continue to work on my computational skills by collaborating with the Van Stipdonk research group.
Ashley Caputo
Undergraduate Student, Duquesne '27
Ashley grew up in Souderton, PA and is currently pursuing a B.S in Chemistry. In the lab, she is part of the metal hydrides project. Outside of the lab, she is a member of the American Chemical Society, Alpha Chi Sigma chemistry fraternity, and Out in Stem. In her free time, Ashley can be found listening to music, talking with friends, or making friendship bracelets.
Bella
Postdogtoral fellow
Bella joined the group August 2021 and is currently serving as our postdogtoral fellow. Bella's role in the group is mostly symbolic, but she does ensure that Paul never sleeps in and misses any early meetings.