Gichuhi Research Group

Research Summary:

Research in the Gichuhi group is focused on two main areas:  (1) Atmospheric spectroscopy of reactive and non-reactive trace gases in the atmosphere using infrared and Cavity Enhanced Spectroscopic Techniques,  (2) Negative Ion Photoelectron Spectroscopy of aromatic radical anions that are of interest to Astrochemistry, Environmental, and Biological systems. These studies have utilized high-level quantum chemical methods and Franck-Condon computations to obtain the vibrational spectra of neutral, medium-sized, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon radicals. New directions in this project involve the use of electroanalytical experimental methods to understand radical anions in the solution phase as well as the development of Velocity Map Ion Imaging technique.

Education:

• University of Nairobi, Kenya, Chemistry, B.S. 2001
• University of Nairobi, Kenya, MS in Environmental Chemistry, 2002-2005
• Wayne State University, Detroit, Physical Chemistry, Ph.D. 2011
• JILA and University of Colorado Boulder, Post-doc 2011-2015

Professional Experience:

• 2021-to Date, Tenured Associate Professor of Chemistry, Tennessee Tech University 
• 2015-2021, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Tennessee Tech University

Awards and Honors:

• QEP Award for Excellent in Creative Inquiry Mentoring, Tennessee Tech University, 2022
• Dan Trivich Memorial Award for Outstanding Research in Physical Chemistry, Wayne State University, 2011 
• University of Nairobi Scholarship to pursue MSc. in Environmental Chemistry, 2002
• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarship award University of Nairobi, Kenya, 2002-2005

Synergistic Activities:

• 2018-2021, Chair of Chemistry Section, Tennessee Academy of Science
• Member, Environmental Science Executive Committee, Tennessee Tech University
• 2021 to date: Coordinator, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (ERASMUS+). Represent Tennessee Tech as an associated partner in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (ERASMUS+)

Select Publications:

Workman Kie, T.; Firth, Rebecca. A.; and Gichuhi W.K. “From Benzonitrile to Dicyanobenzenes: The Effect of an Additional CN Group on the Thermochemistry and Negative Ion Photoelectron Spectra of Dicyanobenzene Radical Anions’’ J. Phys. Chem. A 2023, 127, 1, 181–194. Link

Firth, Rebecca. A.; Dimino, T. L.; Gichuhi, W. K., Negative Ion Photoelectron Spectra of Deprotonated Benzonitrile Isomers via Computation of Franck–Condon Factors. J. Phys. Chem. A. 2022, 126, (29), 4781-4790. Link

Gamage, Lahiru, P.; Hix, Elijah G.;and Gichuhi W.K. “Ground-Based Atmospheric Measurements of CO:CO2 Ratios in Eastern Highland Rim Using a CO Tracer Technique,” ACS Earth Space Chem. 2020, 4(4), 558–571. Link