Meet the Group
Korey Carter (PI)
Korey hails from Kansas but is only now beginning to come to terms with his identity as a Midwesterner. He obtained his B.S. in Physics from Michigan State University in 2011 and then migrated east to Washington, DC where he obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the George Washington University (GWU) in 2017. At GWU, Korey worked in the lab of Prof. Christopher Cahill where his research was focused on halogen bonding and supramolecular assembly in f-element solid-state materials. From there, he headed west for a postdoc in the BioActinide Chemistry Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) with Prof. Rebecca Abergel. At LBNL, Korey's research began with a focus on understanding the solution state behavior of transuranic metal-chelator complexes and over time it expanded to include fundamental f- and d-block coordination chemistry with specific applications in radiochemical separations, nuclear medicine, metal-ion decorporation, and nuclear waste stewardship. In 2021, Korey joined the Department of Chemistry at the University of Iowa and launched the Carter Radiochemistry group.
Outside the lab, Korey enjoys spending time with family, watching Arsenal matches, listening to Prince records, and hunting for new bottles to add to his wine and whiskey collections.
Korey's Google Scholar
PhD Students
Brett Lottes - January 2021-Present
Brett graduated from Missouri State University in the fall of 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and did undergraduate research with Dr. Cyren Rico and Dr. Nikolay Gerasimchuk. He then started graduate school at the University of Iowa in the fall of 2020 and was a founding member of the Carter lab when it launched in January 2021. Brett's PhD research is focused on uranyl peroxide clusters and free radicals and ascertaining the potential relevance of these species to the nuclear fuel cycle. During his time in the Carter group, he has been awarded a UI Graduate College post-comprehensive exam fellowship (Spring 2023) and a Department of Energy SCGSR award (Fall 2023). As a result of this latter award, Brett will be taking his synthetic talents to Los Alamos National Lab for the first half of 2024.
Outside of the lab, you can probably find Brett on an ice rink as he is an aspiring hockey goalie and the group expert on all matters related to hockey.
Ashanthi Kumari Katuwana Arachchige - May 2021-Present
Ashanthi earned her B.Sc (Special) in Chemistry with first class honors from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka in 2017. After completing her undergraduate studies, Ashanthi then worked as a graduate teaching assistant for a few years before deciding to pursue her Ph.D. in chemistry, which fortunately for us she picked over economics, at the University of Iowa beginning in spring 2021. Ashanthi is interested in the intersection of inorganic and organic chemistry and she has worked on the design of new chelators for uranium and vanadium theranostics as well as initiating group efforts in multifunctional f-element hybrid materials.
Besides chemistry, Ashanthi likes exploring new places, learning photography, and dancing
Primadi Subintoro - May 2021-Present
Primadi is from Jakarta, Indonesia! He obtained his bachelor's degree from Webster University in St. Louis in Biological Sciences with an emphasis on chemistry. Primadi is currently leading the quantum information sciences project in the Carter Radiochemistry lab, where he is focused on the synthesis and design of f-element polyoxometalate based materials that feature clock transitions.
Outside the lab, I like watching movies, playing pool and trying new food!
Grant Benthin - December 2021-Present
Co-Advised with Professor Tori Forbes
Grant grew up in Minnesota and graduated from Luther College in 2018 with a BA in Chemistry. Before joining the Carter and Forbes groups at the end of 2021, he worked in industrial R&D developing high-performance acrylate polymers for industrial inks and coatings. His current work focuses on studying high-valent neptunium chemistry and the decomposition of organophosphorus compounds, particularly for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. A lover of hands-on lab work, Grant is not afraid to get in the lab and get his hands dirty (while wearing appropriate PPE of course).
Beyond research, Grant spends his time rock climbing, going on wilderness backpacking adventures, and working on building diverse projects — crafting everything from 3D printers to handmade furniture.
Ecem Çelik - December 2022-Present
Co-Advised with Professor Tori Forbes
Ecem earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, in 2019, followed by a master’s degree in Chemistry from Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey in 2020. During her master's studies, she worked on the synthesis of graphene aerogels for strain sensor applications and nanowire fabrications. After nearly three years of industry experience, she returned to academia to pursue her Ph.D., starting her doctoral journey in August 2022. Currently, her research focuses on mechanochemical reactions for extracting rare earth elements (REEs) using organic complexes and the construction of uranium-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with chalcogenophene-based ligands.
Outside the lab, she finds balance in practicing yoga, exploring new cultures through travel, and expressing her creativity with water coloring.
Shawn Eisenberg - August 2023-Present
Shawn obtained her B.S. in Chemistry from Stony Brook University in New York where she graduated with departmental honors. During her time at Stony Brook, she studied metal-mediated autolytic cleavage as a strategy for time-release prodrug radiopharmaceuticals with Dr. Eszter Boros, resulting in two coauthor publications. She also participated in the ACS/DOE Nuclear Chemistry Summer School in San Jose, where her love of radiopharmaceuticals grew. She is currently pursuing a PhD studying vanadium and uranium coordination chemistry for applications in nuclear medicine.
When not in the lab, she enjoys reading and playing guitar.
Aiman Shahbaz - December 2023-Present
Aiman earned her B.S. in Chemistry, specializing in wastewater treatment research at Kinnaird College, Lahore, Pakistan. She then pursued a master's at UAF, Pakistan, focusing on rare earth metal extraction. Afterward, she worked as a lecturer at the University of Lahore for nearly three years, broadening her research interests to include nanotechnology and material science. Now, she's eager to further expand her skills in radiochemistry, showcasing her commitment to exploring new horizons in chemistry.
Outside of the lab, Aiman enjoys spending time with friends and cherishes connections with friends and family back home. A fun fact: when she's feeling down, she transforms her blues into writing research articles. Who knew turning sadness into academic achievements could be so uplifting!
Undergraduate - Research
Kara Kueper - March 2024-Present
B.S. Chemistry - Class of 2027
Kara is currently pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry as well as a Minor in Music. In the future, she’s hoping to either go to grad school and pursue research or work in a national laboratory. She loves problem-solving and hands-on chemistry and is specifically drawn to inorganic chemistry. In her free time, she plays in the University Symphony Orchestra, participates in Club tennis, and leads a small group in Salt Company. She’s also always down to try a new restaurant, go for a hike, or read a new book.
Ava Schaldecker - April 2024-Present
B.S. Chemistry - Class of 2027
Ava is currently pursuing a B.S. in chemistry on the pre-med track. She finds radiochemistry and nuclear medicine fascinating and is excited to continue working within this field. She participates in Medicus, University Band, the UI Honors Program, and the Presidential Scholar's Program. When not in class or studying, Ava can be found volunteering in the UIHC Children's Hospital, curled up with a good book, or exploring downtown Iowa City.
This could be you! E-mail Dr. Carter (korey-carter@uiowa.edu) if interested and make sure to include a short resume.
Alumni
Postdocs
Dr. Vamsi Karapala 2021-2023-Postdoc, Bowden Group, UI Chemistry
PhD Students
MS Students
Janadhi Lawanya Nakath Durage-2021-2023
Undergraduate Students
John Lee UG Researcher January 2021-May 2021; Postbac May 2021-December 2021-Dental School at UI