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 an Associate 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 an Associate 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 senior 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.
Iram Abrar Aziz '26 is a senior at Pomona College majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Media Studies. In his free time, he enjoys watching reality TV, critically analyzing romantic comedies, and trying new desserts!
Andy Butler ’26 is a senior chemistry major at Pomona College. He is from Canton, Massachusetts, and plays football for the Pomona-Pitzer team. His hobbies include watching movies and spending time with family and friends.
Enock Kipkogei '27 is an international Pomona college junior from Eldoret, Kenya. He is a Neuroscience declared major on the pre-med track. Enock's hobbies include listening to music (classical), playing badminton and singing. He also has research experience as a research assistant at the Glater Neuroscience lab at Pomona.
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.
Joe Novicki ‘26 is a Pomona College senior from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Joe is undeclared but would like to pursue a double major in Spanish and Biology while on the pre-health track. Joe’s hobbies include ballroom dancing, reading, and learning languages. For summer 2024, a Pfizer Intern is working with the am Ende lab at the Groton site.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-novicki-67a92a263/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-novicki-67a92a263/
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