Our Team
The Iski Research Group at The University of Tulsa
Dr. Erin V. Iski
Department Chair and Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Dr. Erin V. Iski is the Chair of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at UTulsa. In her lab, she and her team use powerful microscopes to look at metal surfaces at the atomic scale under ambient conditions. Instead of studying pristine systems, her research focuses on how real-world factors like electrical charges and solvent interactions can assist or perturb metal surfaces from rearranging, specifically looking at how these variables drive the growth of unique nanoscale structures called "gold magic fingers." Backed by funding from the National Science Foundation and the Fulbright Program, she balances this active research with a deep commitment to mentoring students for successful careers in science.
Current Members
Graduate and undergraduate researchers driving atomic-scale discovery.
CARA PLAISANCE
Undergraduate Researcher
B.S. CHEMISTRY & MATHEMATICS
Class of 2027 | University of Tulsa
Undergraduate Researcher
B.S. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & BIOCHEMISTRY
Class of 2028 | University of Tulsa
Undergraduate Researcher
B.S. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & BIOCHEMISTRY
Class of 2028 | University of Tulsa
Lab Alumni
Honoring our past members and celebrating their next steps in science.
TYLER LIN
2026 NSF Summer REU Alumnus
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AT MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY
B.S. Chemistry | 2027
Mercyhurst University
EMILY COOK
Undergraduate Alumnus
PH.D. CANDIDATE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
B.S. Biochemistry and Mathematics | 2022
University of Tulsa
KENNEDY BOYD
M.S. Graduate
TRANSPORTATION COMPLIANCE ANALYST AT ONEOK
M.S. Chemistry | 2020
University of Tulsa
LAUREN HARVILLE
Undergraduate Alumnus
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING ANALYST AT RUSHMORE RESOURCE PARTNERS
B.S. Physics | 2019
University of Tulsa
LAUREN JACKSON
Undergraduate Alumnus
SELF EMPLOYED CAREGIVER
B.S. Chemistry and Physics | 2017
University of Tulsa
ROW DIRKS
2023 NSF Summer REU Alumnus
PH.D. CANDIDATE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER
B.S. Biochemistry | 2026
Columbia University
MARIA PASZKOWIAK, M.D.
Undergraduate Alumnus
FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENT AT OU SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE
B.S. Biology | 2021
University of Tulsa
JESSE PHILLIPS, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Graduate
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AT XCALIBER INTERNATIONAL
Ph.D. Materials and Electrochemistry | 2019
University of Tulsa
HEATHER MORGAN, M.D.
Undergraduate Alumnus
FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN AT FRANCISCAN MEDICAL GROUP
B.S. Chemistry and Biochemistry | 2018
University of Tulsa
GREGORY JONES, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Alumnus
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
B.S. Chemistry and Education | 2016
University of Tulsa
DILLON DODGE
Undergraduate Alumnus
PH.D. CANDIDATE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MADISON
B.S. Chemistry | 2024
University of Tulsa
KASSIDY EVERETT
Undergraduate Alumnus
QUALITY ASSURANCE TECHNICIAN AT BARRY CALLEBAUT GROUP
B.S. Chemistry | 2021
University of Tulsa
IRENE BALJAK
Undergraduate Alumnus
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEER AND PRODUCT OWNER AT MILLIPORESIGMA
B.S. Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics | 2019
University of Tulsa
AUSTIN CARR, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Alumnus
RESEARCH SCIENTIST II AT MAGNET BIOMEDICINE
B.S. Biochemistry | 2018
University of Tulsa
ABIGAIL ROBERTS, M.D.
Undergraduate Alumnus
SURGICAL RESIDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER
B.S. Biochemistry| 2015
University of Tulsa