Laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of diatomic iodine excited using an argon-ion laser. I performed this experiment in undergrad on October 13, 2020 when I took Modern Experimental Physics taught by Prof. Seyffie Maleki.


About me

I am a postdoctoral research associate in the Chemical Physics and Analysis group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. My work explores nuclear quantum effects through simulations of multidimensional ultrafast nonlinear laser spectroscopy and X-ray spectroscopy.

I received my PhD in theoretical and computational chemistry from Johns Hopkins University, where I used high-accuracy quantum chemical calculations and machine learning to model and simulate photochemical processes. I studied laser cooling, molecular conical intersections, and nonadiabatic chemical dynamics.

I serve on the Executive Committee of the Maryland Local Section of the American Chemical Society and am responsible for managing and updating the Local Section website. I also served as a Safety Captain on the Johns Hopkins University Chemistry Student Safety Committee.

I graduated as valedictorian from Union College in Schenectady, NY with a double major in physics and chemistry. I synthesized and characterized metal-infused aerogels in the Union College Aerogel Lab, where I completed my Honors senior thesis. Check out the research tab to learn about other projects I’ve worked on.



Chris Avanessian


✉ chris.avanessian@pnnl.gov

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Richland, WA