Scott Lea, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist, WR Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Interfacial & Nanoscale Science FacilityResearch Interests
Dr. Lea has more than 15 years of experience with research related to surface science. His primary focus areas are related to the application of scanning probes to study geochemical processes, intermolecular forces, and biomolecules at surfaces.
Dr. Lea received his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Utah under the direction of Drs. Vlado Hlady and Joe Andrade. His graduate work involved investigating adsorption of proteins to surfaces with emphasis on biocompatibility. He also has considerable experience developing novel surfaces for minimization of protein adsorption and protein denaturation.
Since joining PNNL, his research has focused primarily on 1) investigating interparticle forces between colloids in solution in order to evaluate their behavior under high salt conditions; 2) studying the effect of solution composition on calcite dissolution and incorporation of impurities into the calcite in order to better understand the fate and transport of contaminants in soils; and 3) investigating the structure and conformation of biomolecules or biomolecular hybrids on surfaces for the purposes of developing better biosensors and robust enzymatic processes.
Dr. Lea has also supported a number of other research programs related to the growth of novel nanoscale oxide structures and oxide films for the purposes of photocatalysis and electronic applications in addition to supporting research programs on corrosion and grain boundary segregation in metals.
Past Experience
- 2003-present: Senior Research Scientist II, Interfacial and Nanoscale Science Facility, EMSL, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- 1996-2003: Senior Research Scientist I, Interface Chemistry and Engineering, Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- 1993-1996: Post-doctoral Fellow, Materials and Interfaces, Molecular Sciences Research Center, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Education
- 1981, B.S. in Biochemistry, Lehigh University
- 1983, M.Engr. in Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- 1993, Ph.D. in Bioengineering, University of Utah
