Peter Johnston

Full C.V.

Peter V. Johnston is especially interested in the synthesis and spectroscopy of organic chromophores, organometallic complexes, non-linear optics, and bio-mimetic inspired catalysis. He graduated from Western Washington University in 2010 with a B.S. in chemistry. As an undergrad he researched the surface chemistry of triphenylmethane dye molecules under various pH conditions. As a graduate student his research has included the synthesis of a pentamethylcyclopentadienyl iridium carbonyl trihydride cation with a focus on its unique quantum mechanical exchange coupling that can be observed through proton NMR at temperatures around 135 Kelvin. In his free time Peter enjoys working with undergraduates as a teaching assistant, contemplating world peace, meditating, skateboarding, hatha yoga, fine arts, and music. His work with the Dalton/Reid consortium includes synthesis and characterization of two photon absorbing chromophores, biological applications of diazo dye molecules, and synthesis and characterization of organic chromophores with strong hyperpolarizability character.