Shannon Biros Research
Lanthanide metals are found in many common place materials such as hybrid car batteries, magnets, bioprobes, optical materials and smart phones. Actinide metals, especially uranium, represent an alternative source of energy as a component in nuclear fuel. The need to recycle these metals from both current materials and spent nuclear fuel, as well as develop more efficient ways to isolate them from raw sources, remains a pressing problem.
The Biros Lab aims to address the separation, isolation and purification of both lanthanide and actinide metals through the use of multidentate organic ligands. We use organic synthesis to prepare these ligands, then characterize the resultant metal ligand complexes with NMR, IR, MS, luminescence and X-Ray crystallography. We also carry out analytical studies to determine the ability of these compounds to extract lanthanide or actinide metals out of aqueous solution and into an organic solvent.
Students in the Biros Lab will have the opportunity to learn techniques in organic synthesis and inorganic coordination chemistry. Students will also learn carry out analysis using multinuclear NMR, IR, MS, ICP, luminescence, X-ray crystallography and separation experiments.
Collaborators
Dr. Richard Staples Center for Crystallographic Research, MSU
Publications
Professional appointments and service
2022-present Associate Editor, RSC Advances
2013-2017 Small Splash, Big Waves Symposia at Fall National ACS Meetings, Organizer and Presider with Todd Davis
2012 Chair, West Michigan Local Section of the ACS
Honors, grants and awards
2021-2024 National Science Foundation RUI grant, with Eric Werner ($388,705)
2019-2022 National Science Foundation MRI grant for LC-MS, with Laura Hawk (PI), Laurie Witucki, Dalila Kovacs, Paul Cook, Andy Lantz ($143,847)
2019 GVSU CLAS Annual Faculty Service Award
2017 National Science Foundation MRI grant for NMR, with John Bender, David Leonard, Felix Ngassa, Thomas Neils, Jonathan Fritz ($289,990)
2017-2019 Arnold and Mabel Beckman Scholars Program, with many GVSU faculty ($130,000)
2016 C&EN Molecule of the Year Award (with Aaron Odom’s group at MSU)
2016-2018 National Science Foundation dispersed REU grant – The TIM Consortium ($350,000)
2015 GVSU Distinguished Undergraduate Mentoring Award
2015 Michigan Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Fellowship Program ($2,500)
2013 GVSU Distinguished Early Career Scholar Award
2012-2013 National Science Foundation WIDER-EAGER Grant, with Scott Grissom (PI), Shaily Menon, Robert Talbert ($137,893)
2012 GVSU Pew Teaching Excellence Award
2012-2014 National Science Foundation dispersed REU grant – The TIM Consortium ($330,000)
2007 GVSU Department of Chemistry Alumna-in-residence
2004-2006 ARCS Foundation Graduate Fellowship (TSRI)
2002-2006 Skaggs Predoctoral Fellowship (TSRI)
2001 GVSU Outstanding Senior Chemistry Major Award
2000 NSF-REU Fellow, Columbia University, New York, NY (Advisor: Gerard Parkin)
2000 Republic Bank Scholarship
1996-2000 Gerber Fund Scholarship