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Portrait photo of Cassandra Siler.

Cassandra Siler

Instructor
Department of Chemistry

Cassandra Siler

Instructor
Department of Chemistry

Background

Education

Ph.D. (2014) Engineering Sciences, Surface Chemistry, Harvard University

M.S. (2010) Environmental Science and Engineering, Harvard University

B.S. (2008) Chemistry w/ Honors (Mathematics Minor) Gordon College

B.A. (2008) Biblical & Theological Studies, Gordon College

Publications

  • Siler, C. G. F.; Madix, R. J.; Friend, C. M.; “Designing for Selectivity: Weak interactions and the competition for reactive sites on gold catalysts.” Faraday Discussions, 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5fd00192g.
  • Rodriguez-Reyes, J. C. F.; Siler, C. G. F.; Lui, W.; Tkatchenko, A.; Friend, C. M.; Madix, R. J.; “van der Waals interactions determine selectivity in catalysis by metallic gold.” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2014, 136), 13333-13340.
  • Siler, C. G. F.; Cremer, T.; Rodriguez-Reyes, J. C. F.; Friend, C. M.; Madix, R. J.; “Switching selectivity in oxidation reactions on gold: the mechanism of C-C vs C-H bond activation in the acetate intermediate on Au(111).” ACS Catalysis, 2014, 4, 3281-3288.
  • Cremer, T.; Siler, C. G. F.; Rodriguez-Reyes, J. C. F.; Friend, C. M.; Madix, R. J.; “Tuning the stability of adsorbed intermediates using adsorbed oxygen: acetate on Au(111).” Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2014,5, 1126-1130
  • Xu, B.; Siler, C. G. F.; Madix, R. J.; Friend, C. M.; “Au/Ag mixed sites promote oxidative coupling of methanol on the alloy surface.” Chemistry—a European Journal, 2014,20,4646-4652.

Awards

  • Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE SCGF), Award Recipient (September 2010-August 2013)
  • Harvard Kao Fellowship (2009-2010)
  • Certificate of Distinction in Teaching, Materials, Energy, and Society (2009)
  • A.J. Gordon Fellow (2004-2008)
  • Sarah Ball Memorial Award for highest GPA among physical science majors (2008)
  • Wood Memorial Award for academic excellence in humanities (2008)
  • Freshman Physics Award (Spring 2005)