Principal Investigator: Professor Nicholas D. Ball
Prof. Nicholas Ball grew up in Chattanooga, TN. He received his B.A. in Chemistry at Macalester College in 2005. He completed their Ph.D. in 2011 under Prof. Melanie Sanford at the University of Michigan, working with C–F and C–CF3 bond formation from high-oxidation state palladium. In 2010, he headed to the California Institute of Technology to pursue his postdoctoral studies with Prof. David Tirrell as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow. Prof. Ball started as an Assistant Professor at Amherst College in 2013. In 2015, Prof. Ball joined the faculty at Pomona College and is now Professor of Chemistry with tenure. His current research focuses on developing new methods to make and use sulfur-based molecules that can be used for drug targets, chemical probes in biology, and material science. His lab's work involves making molecules, machine learning, and computational chemistry. His work features industrial and international collaborations and work with professors at other predominantly undergraduate institutions. Prof. Ball’s honors and awards include the Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, 2022 Chemical and Engineering News LGBTQ+ trailblazer, and a two-time Wig Distinguished Professor awardee (2018 and 2024). His research has been funded by NIH, NSF, and the American Chemical Society.
Prof. Nicholas Ball grew up in Chattanooga, TN. He received his B.A. in Chemistry at Macalester College in 2005. He completed their Ph.D. in 2011 under Prof. Melanie Sanford at the University of Michigan, working with C–F and C–CF3 bond formation from high-oxidation state palladium. In 2010, he headed to the California Institute of Technology to pursue his postdoctoral studies with Prof. David Tirrell as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow. Prof. Ball started as an Assistant Professor at Amherst College in 2013. In 2015, Prof. Ball joined the faculty at Pomona College and is now Professor of Chemistry with tenure. His current research focuses on developing new methods to make and use sulfur-based molecules that can be used for drug targets, chemical probes in biology, and material science. His lab's work involves making molecules, machine learning, and computational chemistry. His work features industrial and international collaborations and work with professors at other predominantly undergraduate institutions. Prof. Ball’s honors and awards include the Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, 2022 Chemical and Engineering News LGBTQ+ trailblazer, and a two-time Wig Distinguished Professor awardee (2018 and 2024). His research has been funded by NIH, NSF, and the American Chemical Society.
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/nicholas-ball-8560516
Twitter: @ballnchemist
@theballlab
Current Laboratory Members
Undergraduate Students
Saira Arora ‘26 is a Pomona College postbac ('26) from Yorba Linda, CA, majoring in Chemistry and Music on the pre-med track. She enjoys dancing, crocheting, playing basketball, and performing oboe in the Pomona College Orchestra.
Aadi Bordia ’29 is a Pomona College sophomore from Miami, Florida, majoring in Chemistry and Mathematics on the pre-med track. In his free time, Aadi enjoys playing basketball, building LEGO sets, learning random history trivia, and trying out different foods.
Jose Ramos Diaz ’29 is a Pomona College Sophomore from Orlando, Florida. He will be majoring in Molecular Biology on the Premed Track. He enjoys exercising, digital art, and listening to music.
Elyse Hawson '28 is a Pomona College junior from Bangkok, Thailand, majoring in chemistry and minoring in politics and music. In her free time she enjoys photography, rock climbing, and playing the piano.
Lupita Martinez '28 is a Pomona College junior from Houston, TX. She is majoring in Public Policy Analysis with a concentration in Science, Technology and Society. Her hobbies include traditional Mexican dance, graphic design (art and design in general), and building jigsaw puzzles.
Angela Milo '28 is a sophomore chemistry major at Harvey Mudd College from San Jose, CA. In her free time, she enjoys getting coffee, going on walks, and playing guitar.
Greyson Shin '28 is a junior Molecular Biology major at Pomona College. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, he currently lives in Hawaii and plays football for the Pomona-Pitzer team. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, spending time with friends, and going to the beach.
Eliza Valdés '28 is a sophomore double majoring in Chemistry and Mathematics. She is from Brasília, Brazil, and enjoys competitive debate, politics, and photography
www.linkedin.com/in/eliza-cardoch-5a6577260
www.linkedin.com/in/eliza-cardoch-5a6577260
Pherell Washington '29 is a rising sophomore neuroscience major at Pomona College. He is from Miami, Florida, and runs track for the Pomona-Pitzer team. His hobbies include poetry, songwriting, and spending time with family and friends.