Amanda J Albrecht
Affiliations
Summary of Activities/Interests
.
Education
B.A., University of Minnesota, Morris 2008
Biography
Amanda is a Ph. D. candidate. Her research focuses on the crystal chemistry of tetravalent actinides under Dr. Peter C. Burns in the Department of Civil Engineering and Geological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame.
Her research is intended to expand our understanding of the environmental fate of radioactive materials in used nuclear fuel. To accomplish this Amanda synthesizes novel thorium crystal structures as she tries to find more stable solid phases of nuclear fuel components. Interesting structures are further studied to determine their ion exchange capabilities and thermal stabilities. Along with her studies of thorium crystal chemistry, Amanda is working to organize a condensed review of tetravalent actinide crystal structures, such as thorium, uranium, neptunium and plutonium, to better identify the state of our knowledge of these energy and environmentally relevent elements.
In addition to her work as a graduate student, Amanda chairs the Professional Development Committee for the Graduate Student Union, advocating graduate student needs and resources in the areas of teaching, research, ethics and career development.
Amanda started her graduate studies the summer of 2008 immediately upon completion of her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Minnesota, Morris, where she had focused her undergraduate research on green chemistry and renewable resources.
