Contact Information

                        The University of Notre Dame

                        Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences

                        156 Fitzpatrick Hall

                        Ph: (574) 631-4534    Fax: (574) 631-9236

Super student - Shannon Flynn

Background:

For my undergraduate I completed a dual degree program through Northland College and Michigan Tech.  I graduated with a BS of Science from Northland and a BS of Environmental Engineering from Michigan Tech.

During my undergraduate years I participated in three REUs, which may be a record.  Each project was distinct in its topic and approach.  At the University of Idaho under Dr. Fielder, I used a systems modeling approach to model the effect of climate change on the sustainability of groundwater resources in the Palouse region.  With Dr. Alexander at University of Minnesota and I measured the groundwater velocities in a karst system by conducting a quantitative dye trace.  Under the direction Dr. Dietrich at Virginia Tech I measured oral lipid peroxidation byproducts to determine a relation between the lipid oxidation and perceived metallic flavors. 

Through my diverse research experience and coarse work I develop an interest in metal complexation models and geochemistry.  I am fortunate to be pursuing this interest and my PhD with the direction of Dr. Fein.

Research:

1. (1)Modeling the toxicity of Cd to B. subtilis using an advanced biotic ligand model which incorporates the surface complexation approach with growth inhibition to formulate a toxicity index.
   

2. (2)Modeling the thermodynamic stability of U60 nanoclusters to determine the ion activity product for the dissolution of the clusters.
   

3. (3)Determining the viability of using ionic liquids for the extraction of bitumen from oil sands.