Surface structure & reactivity
How defects, alloy composition, and nanoscale interfaces create or suppress active sites.
LT-STM · AFM
Surface chemistry at the atomic scale
Seeing how catalytic surfaces work.
The Baber Lab at James Madison University uses scanning tunneling microscopy and ultrahigh-vacuum surface science to reveal reaction pathways, active sites, and the molecular behavior that drives heterogeneous catalysis.
Research
We simplify complex catalytic materials into well-defined model surfaces—making it possible to observe how individual atoms, defects, interfaces, and adsorbates shape chemical reactions.
Water, oxygen & model catalysts
Molecular organization and reaction pathways on copper, silver, gold, and mixed surfaces.
UHV · AESSelective surface chemistry
Alcohol conversion and selective oxidation as probes of catalytic selectivity and mechanism.
TPD · TPRS
Undergraduate research
Learning science by doing science.
Students from different majors and perspectives work together to master sophisticated instrumentation, present results, and contribute to peer-reviewed research.
Meet the groupCurrent researchers
Undergraduates contribute directly to the lab’s scientific questions and research community.
DJ Compton
Class of 2027
Chemistry
Emily Euler
Class of 2027
Chemistry
Allen Shepherd
Class of 2027
Chemistry
Sonna Williamson
Class of 2027
Chemistry
Josue Santos
Class of 2028
Chemistry
Latest news
Research milestones, presentations, publications, and celebrations from the Baber Lab.
Baber Lab celebrates research at the 2026 REU symposium
The Baber Lab celebrated the completion of a productive 2026 summer REU and another season of undergraduate surface science research.
Read update →
Congratulations to JMU Chem ’26 grads Jaimin Ashra, James Whitted, and Kate Weinstock!
The Baber Lab celebrated Jaimin Ashra, James Whitted, and Kate Weinstock as they graduated with JMU’s Class of 2026.
Read update →
Baber Lab attends ACS Spring 2026 in Atlanta
Baber Lab students joined Dr. Baber at the ACS Spring 2026 meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.
Read update →About the Baber Lab
Baber Lab Research Interest
- Heterogeneous catalysis studies using surface science
- Gold model and inverse model catalysts studies
- Role of surface modifications on reactivity
Research Description
The Baber Lab uses ultrahigh vacuum surface science studies to simplify complex catalytic materials to better understand reaction pathways and active sites. Our research utilizes a home-built surface analysis chamber to run temperature programmed desorption and Auger electron spectrometry experiments. We use low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy to characterize the morphology of our surfaces.
We value an inclusive environment that invites all students into our research lab. Since the start of Baber lab, members from different majors, backgrounds, and ideologies have worked together to produce new ideas to approach our research goals and succeed in producing quality work that will propel the scientific community. We seek to hold trust, collaboration, and open communication in our everyday work to cultivate an environment where we are all continuously learning through life and research.
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Physics/Chemistry Building
MSC 4501
Office phone: 540/568-8081
Email: baberae@jmu.edu
Physics/Chemistry Building
MSC 4501
Office phone: 540/568-8081
Email: baberae@jmu.edu