headshot of alexander hunt jenkins
Graduated in June 2022 • Co-advised with Will Medlin
Chemical and Biological Engineering
alexander.jenkins@colorado.edu

After Graduation

After graduating, Alex continued his experimental catalysis work in Will Medlin's research group at CU

Research Bio

My work focuses on the modification and tuning of supported metal catalysts with functionalized organic ligands. Through a combination of experiments (FTIR, STEM, vapor-phase reactions) and computational studies (DFT), we aim to understand the effects of these ligands on catalytic performance. These effects include changes to nanoparticle morphology, electronic interactions, steric effects, and the introduction of additional catalytic sites. Our overall aim is to develop tuneable 'binding pockets' consisting of single-metal-atom adsorption sites surrounded by functionalized ligands on oxide supports.
Schematic of supported metal catalyst modification by organic self-assembled monolayers

Personal Bio

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Education: Bachelor of Science (Chemical Engineering), University of Alabama, 2016

When I’m not in the lab, I like to spend time exploring Colorado with my partner and our dog, Luna. Some of our favorite trips have been to the Great Sand Dunes and Rocky Mountain national parks. I’ve also gone on some very memorable backpacking trips with fellow grad students, like hiking the narrows in Zion National Park. In the colder months, I love to take the free bus into Denver to attend Denver Nuggets games or head up into the mountains to embarrass myself on a snowboard.
alex and his dog at great sand dunes national parkÌýalex and his friends going for a hikeÌýalex out hiking on a snowy day

Selected Publications

Jenkins, A. H.; Medlin, J. W. . Acc. Chem. Res. 2021, 54 (21), 4080–4090. .

Jenkins, A. H.; Musgrave, C. B.; Medlin, J. W. . J. Phys. Chem. C. 2021, 125 (43), 23791–23802. .

Jenkins, A. H.; Musgrave, C. B.; Medlin, J. W. . ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces. 2019, 11 (44), 41289–41296. .

Awards and Service

Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Leadership and Recruiting, XXX, 2020

Kokes Award Recipient, North American Catalysis Society, 2019

Recruiting Service Award, CU Â鶹ӰԺ Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, 2019

1st Place Student Presentation, Rocky Mountain Catalysis Society, 2018

Graduate Research Fellowship Program Honorable Mention, National Science Foundation, 2018