Student Spotlight:
Charles Umhey

Voiland School graduate student Charles Umhey received the Graduate Research Fellowship from the U.S. Department of Energy.

He shares his WSU experiences that have contributed to his success.

What does it mean to receive this award?

I am excited to explore the national laboratory system and to learn from experts in my field of research. This reward offers me the opportunity to do both which is great.

Why did you choose WSU and your program for grad school?

I choose WSU because I wanted to stay in the Pacific Northwest and several professors at my undergraduate institution recommended WSU.

What is your area of research?

I study computational catalysis using density functional theory. Basically when someone wants to understand why a catalyst behaves a certain way I run simulations to model the system at the atomistic level.

How did you get interested in this field of research? Why do you think it’s important?

I’ve always found catalysts interesting and theory allows me to dive into investigations into why catalysts behave the way the do and how they change during reactions. In industrial settings most chemical reactions are carried out with the aid of catalysts so understanding the exact mechanisms governing catalyst synthesis and activity can enable us to tailor catalysts for specific reactions which increases efficiency and makes formerly impossible things possible.

What advice would you give to students thinking about grad school?

Whenever someone asks me about grad school I always tell them to make sure they are excited about three things, the projects they are going to be working on, the person they will be working under, and the area they will be living.

What do you like to do on the Palouse when you aren’t working/studying?

 When I’m not working or studying I enjoy hiking in spots like Moscow Mountain or Kamiak Butte.