CBC Graduating Student Spotlight: Jack Nichols
Chemistry Major, W.A. Franke Honors college student, Class of 2023
CBC Congratulates Jack Nichols! Jack was selected as a 2023 CBC/Chemistry Excellence in Research recipient and the 2023 ACS Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry.
My time at the University of Arizona has been transformational in the way that I see the world, and my education here has expanded my knowledge of chemistry more than I could have imagined. Through my courses and interactions with my peers and professors, my interest in this subject has continued to grow.
My experience in research has given me the opportunity to pursue an academic interest outside the scope of my courses, and it has allowed me to make new discoveries in a field that I am passionate about.
Since my sophomore year, I have been a researcher in the Kukolich group where I have studied the structures of molecules and hydrogen-bonded complexes in the gas phase using microwave spectroscopy. My work in this lab has led to a co-author publication on the hydrogen-bonded complex of formic acid – ammonia.
Currently, I am an intern in the NASA Space Grant program, and I will be presenting my work on deuterated isotopologues of 2-aminopyridine at the statewide Space Grant Symposium at the end of April. This work will also be included in my Honors thesis which will contain my work on other molecules in addition to a description of a LabVIEW-based program I helped to develop to run laboratory instruments.
Outside of the classroom and the research lab, I have been engaged in volunteer work in the Tucson community through places like Z Mansion, a resource center for people experiencing homelessness, Clínica Amistad, a free clinic for uninsured and underinsured patients, and other organizations. I also volunteer in the emergency room at Banner University Medical Center. Another passion of mine is mentoring others, and I serve in this role in varying capacities across campus.
After graduation, I will be pursuing a medical education to become a physician.