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 ​​
  • Prof. McKay has been recognized in the 40 Under 40 Recognition Program by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists. Whoop!
  • 🚨Last publication of 2025! Kai Cheng's work on microheterogeneous •OH formed from DOM photolysis. Published in ES&T.
  • 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.
  • Prof. McKay has been appointed to the editorial boards of Environmental Science & Technology Letters and ACS ES&T Water. He has also been appointed to the early career editorial advisory board for ES&T.
Follow Prof. McKay on Twitter to keep up to date with our research efforts. @garrettjmckay
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