PhD Student
Department of Chemistry
University of Rochester
Hutchinson Hall B28
120 Trustee Road
Rochester, New York 14627
Email: wstoll@UR.Rochester.edu
Education
B.Sc. Biochemistry, University of Vermont, May 2023
Biography
I started my scientific career as a biochemistry major at the University of Vermont in 2019 and began researching under Professor Ruggiero in summer of 2022. My work primarily involves a combination of low-frequency vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy) and computational methods such as density functional theory. Together, these methods provide a powerful probe of the lattice dynamics and intermolecular interactions of materials in the solid state. I am currently working with molecular crystals exhibiting dynamic macroscopic properties, such as elastic flexibility, jumping, and even self-healing. I aim to understand the mechanism of these processes and their microscopic origins.
Outside of the lab I love to stay active skiing, biking, hiking, and even the occasional pickle ball match. When I am not outside, I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen with food from my garden.
Awards and Recognitions
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention, 2024.