Dr. Jill Ferguson

Jill Ferguson

Analytical Scientist
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Education

• B.S., St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin, 2001
• Ph.D., Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 2006

Research Interests/Current Projects

I currently serve as the Analytical Scientist of the Materials Science Center at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire since 2006. I conduct independent and collaborative research in high resolution - inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS). This ultra-trace elemental analysis tool is often used for geological, environmental, and industrial applications. I also support the use of our x-ray fluorescence instruments (WD-XRF and handheld XRF) for alloy analysis, consumer product safety and restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) work, and environmental samples.  Finally, I use our two scanning electron microscopes with energy dispersive x-ray analysis (SEM/EDS) to support education, research, and external collaborations.

 I manage many of the projects involving private sector partners of the Materials Science Center (MSC). This work involves novel method development and problem solving. I engage in community and private sector outreach for the Materials Science Center through speaking engagements, tours, and other activities.

Publications

S. M. McIntyre, J. W. Ferguson, T. M. Witte, and R.S. Houk, Determination of dissociation temperature for ArO+ in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry: Effects of excited electronic states and dissociation pathways, Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy (2011) 581-587.http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.sab.2011.06.002

J. W. Ferguson, T. J. Dudley, K. C. Sears, S. McIntyre, M. S. Gordon, and R. S. Houk, Polyatomic Ions in Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry, Part II: Origins of N2H+ and HxCO+ Ions Using Experimental Measurements Combined with Calculated Energies and Structures, Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy (2009) 690-696. DOI: 10.1016/j.sab.2009.06.008

K. C. Sears, J. W. Ferguson, T. J. Dudley, R. S. Houk, and M. S. Gordon, Theoretical Investigation of Small Polyatomic Ions Observed in Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry: HxCO+ and HxN2+ (x=1,2,3), Journal of Physical Chemistry A (2008) 2610-2617. DOI: 10.1021/jp077209k

J. W. Ferguson and R. S. Houk, High resolution studies of the origins of polyatomic ions in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, Part I. Identification methods and effects of neutral gas density assumptions, extraction voltage, and cone material, Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy 61 (2006) 905-915. DOI: 10.1016/j.sab.2006.07.001

M. E. Johll, D. Poister, and J. Ferguson, Statistical comparison of multiple methods for the determination of dissolved oxygen levels in natural waters, The Chemical Educator 7 (2002) 146-148.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00897020560a