Davita Watkins, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Office: 480 Coulter Hall
662-915-5337 | dwatkins@olemiss.edu

GROUP WEBSITE: watkinsresearchgroup.org

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
B.S., Vanderbilt University, 2006
Ph.D., University of Memphis, 2012
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Florida, 2012-2014
Assistant Professor, University of Mississippi, 2014-2020
Associate Professor, University of Mississippi, 2020-present

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Oak Ridge Associated Universities Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Organic and Materials Chemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry, Organic Electronics, Noncovalent Interactions, Semiconductors, Biomaterials, Optical Electronic Behavior, Smart Materials, Conjugated Nanostructures

RESEARCH OVERVIEW
The Watkins Research Laboratory develops novel functional materials with tunable properties through molecular self-assembly. We design, synthesize, and study organic molecules that possess unique structural and functional properties. Our fundamental goals are the following: (1) identify unique building blocks for functional materials; (2) establish synthetic protocols for those building blocks; and (3) examine the behavior of the building blocks on a molecular and macromolecular level. The well-defined, programmable nanostructured materials produced in our laboratory are designed to be used in a variety of applications which range from therapeutics to electronic devices. In turn, our research allows us to use tools from all areas of science including analytical, computational, and materials chemistry.