Research Interests

My research interests focus on method and instrument development for elemental speciation analyses coupling various separation techniques with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection (ICP-MS). Currently I am working on the development of a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation technique for the analysis of organophosphorus chemical warfare degradation products. Future goals include application of this HPLC-ICP-MS method to real sample matrices such as river water and soil. Other research interests include metalloprotein characterization in viruses, specifically HSV-1 (Herpes Simplex), through the use of ICP and various other mass spectrometric techniques. Comparison of metal and metalloid concentrations between active and inactive forms of the virus hopefully will provide vital information on viral activity and medical treatment strategies.