Kristin Johnson

Assistant Professor

More about Kristin N. Johnson-Finn ("Johnson-Finn" is the preferred name in publications and professional settings over "Johnson") The Chemical Lens: The Bridge between Geology and ChemistryResearch in the Johnson-Finn laboratory bridges the divide between organic chemistry and geology, which is a useful perspective when pursuing the fate of organic compounds in geologic settings, astrobiology biosignatures, questions of origins of life and more!  By bringing a chemist’s perspective, our understanding of observations from these systems can expand beyond what has been accomplished before. The interdisciplinary approach opens pathways to new information that we cannot pursue otherwise and allows collaboration with a diverse variety of different researchers. Because of the fundamental nature of this research, it has many applications.  Pathways: The Unification of Chemistry, Geology, Astrobiology & Processes on EarthMissions to the icy moons of Europa and Enceladus, explorers of organic sediments on the ocean floor, engineers developing organic synthesis methods in batch reactors, and researchers focused on finding the first origins of life all need a detailed map of reactions at different parameter space. Detailed pathway mapping through a combination of experimental results and theoretical calculation can shine light on the dark forest of unexplored parameter space waiting to be pursued in any environment where organic compounds and geology result in a complex mixing history.  Job Prospects and Skills to be Gained Performing this ResearchBy focusing on an experimental research question that requires depth and breadth of analytical methods and interdisciplinary subject matter expertise, graduates of this group are poised for success in both industry and academia.  Analytical techniques typically used in our research include GC (gas chromatography), liquid chromatography (LC), mass spectrometry (MS), surface area analysis of powders (BET & BJH, etc.), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and any additional analytical techniques that will help to explain phenomena occurring in experimental mixtures.  Graduates of similar research groups have gone onto either industrial and academic analytical scientist positions at Intel, Merck, LANL, ORNL, Thermo Fisher, NASA, and environmental analysis companies.  This list is non-exhaustive but speaks to the breadth of locations and problems that can be tackled with the perspective and expertise gained from this kind of work. The world needs people who have the skills to deconvolve the components of complex mixtures, no matter the context!  With the addition of electrochemistry and thermodynamic modelling, new industrial and academic paths are open to future graduates using their skills to solve practical problems in various fields.  Taking advantage of opportunities to learn new skills and perspectives can pay dividends in your own development as a scientist and researcher.  ---Potential collaborators and students unafraid to help dig into the weeds of our current research questions are welcome to stop by for a chat!