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 :
  • Microheterogeneous distribution of photochemically produced reactive intermediates in DOM
  • 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 ​​
  • Anya's paper was accepted for publication in Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts! Whoop! 
  • Charles Taibi joined the group as a PhD student. Welcome Charles! 
  • Anya Allen and Shawnee Chavez joined the group as MS students, welcome! 
  • Kai's paper on measuring the microheterogeneity of singlet oxygen was published in Environmental Science & Technology. Congrats Kai!​
  • Ben successfully defended his PhD dissertation and participated in commencement. Congrats Dr. Fennell!
  • Garrett received a Faculty Early Career Development Grant from (CAREER) from the NSF Division of Chemistry – Whoop! Link to article.
  • Garrett was honored by the Royal Society of Chemistry with an Outstanding Reviewer Award in 2022 for the journal Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts​
Follow Prof. McKay on Twitter to keep up to date with our research efforts. @garrettjmckay
Recent group publications
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