The Computational Astrochemistry Group (Fortenberry Lab) at Ole Miss leverages the use of computational techniques for the exploration of the structure and detectable spectra for novel molecular species in the interstellar medium (ISM), planetary atmospheres, and proto-planetary disks. Additionally, we work in utilizing the tenets of journalism, public relations, graphic design, and storytelling for the promotion of science both within the research community and with non-experts alike.
Research Interests
Astrochemically, our group works to provide the chemical rationale and spectroscopic data for the detection of new molecules in space. The universe is a vast place, and the physical conditions of the myriad astrophysical environments are varied from those of the Earth. Hence, terrestrial chemistry is but a small subset of all possible chemical conditions where novel products can be generated with unknown properties. Additionally, the only way to detect such molecules is through remote sensing meaning that spectroscopic data for such molecules must be on hand in order to compare with observational data. However, experimental studies of molecular species in these environments can be exceptionally difficult. Computation does not suffer from these same constraints. Consequently, theoretical chemistry is uniquely suited to answer questions about the nature of molecules in space.
- Astrochemistry
- Theoretical Chemistry
- Electronic, Vibrational, and Rotational Spectroscopy
- Radicals
- Anions
- Noble Gas Molecules
- Sulfur Species
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
- Premineral Molecules
- Science Communication.
Biography
Ryan C. Fortenberry is Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator of Chemistry at the University of Mississippi. He was previously Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Georgia Southern University beginning in 2013, earning tenure in 2018 before departure. Ryan earned a BS in Mathematics working in chemistry research with Prof. David H. Magers and a MS in Communication from Mississippi College working with Prof. Cliff Fortenberry; received a Ph.D. at Virginia Tech in Theoretical Chemistry working with Prof. T. Daniel Crawford; and was a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California working under the supervision of the late Dr. Timothy J. Lee. Ryan has previously been Chair of the ACS Astrochemistry Subdivision and the Ole Miss Campus Coordinator for the Mississippi Space Grant Consortium. Ryan has over 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications, received several NASA research grants, was selected as the Virginia Tech College of Science 2019-2020 Outstanding Recent Alumni Award, the Mississippi College Dr. Cliff Fortenberry Department of Communication Alumnus of the Year in 2021, has been published in Scientific American as well as featured in C&E News as well as Science News, and is the author of Complete Science Communication, a text on how to write and talk about science both to expert and non-expert audiences alike. When not doing science, Ryan enjoys the outdoors, travel, and time with family (including coaching soccer and conducting children's choir). He has dreams of climbing the highest point in each of the 50 states.
“The First Molecule in the Universe.” R. C. Fortenberry. Scientific American. February 2020, pp. 58-65;
“Interstellar Formation of Glyceric Acid (HOCH2CH(OH)COOH) – The Simplest Sugar Acid.” J. Wang, J. H. Marks, R. C. Fortenberry, and R. I. Kaiser. Sci. Adv., 2024, 10(eadl3236), DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl3236;
“On the Detectability of Interstellar Diaminomethane ((NH2)2CH2).” A. G. Watrous, B. R. Westbrook, and R. C. Fortenberry. Mon. Not. Royal Astron. Soc., 2024, 527(11090- 11094), DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stad3938;
“A Vision for the Future of Astrochemistry in the Interstellar Medium and Exoplanetary Atmospheres by 2050.” R. C. Fortenberry. ACS Phys. Chem. Au, 2024, 4(31-39), DOI: 10.1021/acsphyschemau.3c00043
Education
Ph.D. Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State (2012)