The McKay lab addresses fundamental and applied questions at the intersection of chemistry, contaminant remediation, and aquatic sciences in relation to natural and engineered environmental systems. Our research addresses the inherent complexity of these systems by measuring the fundamental governing variables, either to gain mechanistic insight or optimize the engineering process in question. 

Topics we are currently working on :
  • Environmental redox reactions
  • UV-advanced reduction processes for treatment of PFAS and other recalcitrant contaminants
  • Environmental fate and reactivity of pyrogenic organic matter
  • Optical and photophysical characterization of aquatic dissolved organic matter, atmospheric brown carbon, and eumelanin
  • Wavelength-dependence of direct photolysis reactions

If you are interested in joining our group or collaborating, please e-mail Dr. McKay. A complete list of our group's work is available on Google Scholar. 

Recent News ​​
  • Congratulations to Angela on her publication in ES&T Engineering on PFAS photodegradation with KrCl* excimer lamps! 
  • A multi-year collaboration with researchers at Ohio State University has culminated in a publication in ACS Central Science. Work in this paper served as preliminary data for a newly awarded $600K grant from the Army Research Office. Whoop!
  • A paper written by Prof. Julie Korak (CU Boulder) and Prof. McKay was recognized as the Outstanding Review Article of the year in Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts, and has been cited close to 100 times since its publication in 2024.
  • Prof. McKay has been recognized as a Super Reviewer by ES&T in 2025.
  • Prof. McKay has been recognized in the 40 Under 40 Recognition Program by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists. 
  • Our group was recently awarded two grants from the DOD. The first is from SERDP in collaboration with the Chen group @ Texas A&M focused on integrating KrCl* and electrochemistry for PFAS destruction in complex waste streams. The second is in collaboration with Prof. Bern Kohler at T-H-E Ohio State University using steady-state and ultra-fast spectroscopy to probe the photophysics of natural organic matter and melanins. 
  • Prof. McKay was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure and was awarded the A.P. & Florence Wiley Career Development Professorship. This achievement was made possible by the hard work and dedication of all current and former group members.
Follow Prof. McKay on Twitter to keep up to date with our research efforts. @garrettjmckay
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