Alicia O. Hernandez-Castillo Group Members

Professor Hernandez-Castillo

Attended the National and Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) for her undergraduate work. While at the UNAM, she participated in undergraduate research using group theory to determine the symmetry group of an impenetrable cubic well potential. In the fall of 2014, she moved to the United States to do her graduate work at Purdue University. There she focused on detection and characterization of resonance stabilized radicals using broadband rotational spectroscopy. Her love for the development of new experimental techniques led her to a postdoc at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society in Berlin, Germany. There she worked on establishing robust experimental schemes for preparing single enantiomers of chiral molecules in selected rotational states using an array of laser-based and broadband microwave methods. She is enthusiastic about carrying out research in molecular spectroscopy and sharing the joys and challenges of scientific research with students. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, running, terrible puns, and chocolate.

Group Members

Tatiana Cardoso '26

Tatiana Cardoso ’26

Tatiana is a second-year student. She plans to be a Chemistry major with a concentration in Music. She is excited to be a part of MolSpec Lab and study Xe-indole clusters using Microwave Spectroscopy. In her free time, Tatiana enjoys playing the guitar, reading, and knitting. 

Channing Christian '25

Channing Christian ’25

Channing is a Junior computer science major with a concentration in Spanish. They help with engineering and computer science-related projects in the lab. Outside the lab, Channing likes practicing Jiu-Jitsu, playing the drums and watching true crime television.

Amir Gonzalez Camacho '26

Amir Gonzalez Camacho ’26

Amir is a junior chemistry major with a concentration in sociology. Currently, he is working on assembling and testing the lab’s REMPI-TOF mass spectrometer. Outside the lab, Amir enjoys reading, singing and playing video games.

Huanhuan Huang '27

Huanhuan Huang ’27

Huanhuan is a rising sophomore most likely majoring in engineering. She is very excited to join the MolSpec and learn more about spectroscopy. Outside the lab, she enjoys playing badminton, playing video games, and drawing.

Natchayaporn (Bam) Sindhurattavej '26

Natchayaporn (Bam) Sindhurattavej ’26

Bam is a junior chemistry major, planning a concentration in art and an emphasis in data science. She joined the MolSpec lab in her junior year, studying 5-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one by laser and spectroscopy techniques. Prior to this lab, Bam did research on peptide amphiphiles in the HMC Molecular Engineering Lab and did material-science internships in Thailand. Outside the lab, Bam likes watching series, playing racket sports, and enjoying diverse types of food.

Cameron Warmerdam '27

Cameron Warmerdam ’27

Cameron is a rising sophomore majoring in (probably) physics with some biology and chemistry on the side, and ideally earning an emphasis in environmental analysis. He is very excited to work in the MolSpec lab and learn more about the applications and uses of spectroscopy. When not in the lab, Cameron enjoys playing the bass clarinet, crocheting, knitting, and hiking. 

Hamilton (Hammie)

Black and white Border Collie sitting on a chair wearing a pair of glasses
Commander Hamilton
Wrench holder and lab assistant

Spectra

Ghost graphic with a ban of colors as seen in a rainbow
Spectra – Lab Mascot