Kevin Fleming

Ph.D. student, Department of Chemistry

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Kevin’s research is centered around understanding reaction mechanisms of novel chemical phenomena. Currently, he studies astrochemical reactions occurring in the extreme conditions of the interstellar medium (ISM) of outer space. Utilizing state-of-the-art computational tools developed in his research group, he is interested in developing a holistic picture of the ISM’s chemistry to ultimately address big-picture astrochemical questions, such as the extraterrestrial origin of the building blocks of life.

ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:

Before coming to SMU, Kevin earned his B.S. in chemical engineering with minors in mathematics and chemistry from the University of Houston (UH). At UH, he worked in the groups of Praveen Bollini and Lars Grabow. He conducted experimental and computational research on carbon dioxide adsorption onto MIL-100 (Cr), a promising industrial carbon capture material. During the summer of 2021, he conducted computational chemistry research at the Technical University of Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt), Germany. Under the mentorship of Vera Krewald, he examined the photochemical cleavage of a pincer complex to split the energetically strong nitrogen-nitrogen triple bond. Motivated to continue studying fascinating chemical phenomena at the atomistic level, Kevin is currently pursuing his graduate degree as a member of SMU’s Computational and Theoretical Chemistry Group (CATCO), led by Elfi Kraka.