W. Clay Davis, Research Chemist

Education:

Ph.D., 2003, Clemson University
B.S., 1999, Georgia Southern University

Research Expertise and Interests:

Dr. Davis' research interests are in the area of trace elemental analysis and chemical speciation by atomic spectrometric methods. Chemical speciation analysis typically refers to chemical compounds that differ in their oxidation state or in the nature of their complexed or covalently bound substituents, each being regarded as distinct chemical species. Chemical speciation analysis is accomplished by coupling a separation method, such as liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis, with a sensitive elemental detector like inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Dr. Davis' research focuses on coupling gas and liquid chromatography to ICP-MS using high accuracy analytical methods such as speciated isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Application of these methods to the determination of inorganic and organometallic compounds (e.g., As, Hg, Se, Sn) and metalloproteins (e.g., Al, Cu, Fe, Zn) in marine biota are of high current interest.

Prior to his employment with NIST Charleston in 1999, Clay was a Post-doctoral fellow at NIST, Gaithersburg in the Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory. He has authored several peer-reviewed publications and presented work at several national and international conferences. Dr. Davis is currently an adjunct faculty member at the College of Charleston.

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