McCormick Lab Members

Dr. Theresa McCormick headshot.

Dr. Theresa McCormick

Associate Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D. | Queen's University, Kingston Ontario, 2008
Postdoctoral Fellow | NSERC, University of Rochester, 2009-2010
Postdoctoral Fellow | University of Toronto, 2011-2013

503-725-2332
t.m.mccormick@pdx.edu

Research Lab Homepage

Theresa McCormick received her Ph.D. from Queen's University in Kingston Ontario. She then studied water splitting with Prof. Richard Eisenberg at the University of Rochester, followed by a second postdoc studying the reactivity of tellurophenes with Prof. Dwight Seferos at the University of Toronto. She started at Portland State University in September 2013. When she isn't in the lab you can likely find her at the curling club. 

Group Members

Joe Ewers, a white man with brown hair standing in front of a brick wall.

Joe Ewers

PhD Candidate

Hi my name is Joe (he/him) and am a first year PhD student in the McCormick lab. My research will focus on the photocatalytic aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols for the production of hydrogen peroxide. Specifically, I will be working to improve the selective electrochemical reduction of the oxidation products to mitigate waste created by the reaction and improve hydrogen peroxide yields. In my free time I enjoy rock climbing, skiing, and anything else that gets me into the PNW wilderness!

Professional photo of Amelia Jellison

Amelia Jellison

PhD Candidate

Hi! My name is Amelia (she/her) and I am a PhD student working in the McCormick Lab. I’m currently researching the electrochemical and photophysical properties of  tellurorhodamine dyes for solar energy. Outside of the lab I’m a bookworm and I love hiking. 

Professional photo of Aireth Lavigne

Aireth Lavigne

PhD Candidate

Hi my name is Aireth (She/her/hers) and I am a first year Graduate student working with the McCormick Lab. My research focuses on the synthetic development and characterization of previously inaccessible tellurorhodamine dyes. Getting to solve the unique issues of synthesizing and designing complex dyes is a fun challenge! Outside of lab work I love trail running, and you can always find me up some dirt road trail in the woods,or having a beer on top of a mountain!

Professional photo of Sloan Oakrest, a white person with dyed teal hair. They are wearing a black beanie and a grey sweater with intricate knit patterns. They are looking off to the right with a wide, open mouthed smile in front of a blurred backdrop of grass, trees and a blue sky with clouds.

Sloan Oakrest

PhD Candidate

Hello,  my name is Sloan (they/them) and I am a PhD student in the McCormick Lab. I am assisting in the investigation of photochemical aerobic oxidation of primary and secondary benzylic alcohols catalyzed by NHPI which produces hydrogen peroxide. I am primarily an organic chemist and will be determining the effect of various substrates on the scope of aerobic oxidation reactions. Outside of the lab I am a parent, muralist, writer and explorer.  I look forward to seeing you around!

Lab Alumni

Dr. Bret Steinkamp

Ph.D Chemistry | Portland State University, 2024

Delainey Winder

M.S. Chemistry | Portland State University, 2024

Dr. Dayalis Santiago Vazquez

Ph.D Chemistry | Portland State University, 2023

Dr. Avik Bhattacharjee

Ph.D Chemistry | Portland State University, 2022

Dr. Irving Rettig

Ph.D Chemistry | Portland State University, 2021

Dr. Luke Lutkus

Ph.D Chemistry | Portland State University, 2019

Dr. Austin Shigemoto

Ph.D Chemistry | Portland State University, 2018

Dr. Carolyn Virca

Ph.D Chemistry | Portland State University, 2018