My research is in the areas of nuclear and synthetic solid-state inorganic chemistry, which bridges between inorganic, physical, engineering, and materials science. Our primary focus is to expand upon the fundamental chemistry of the f-block elements which are positioned deep within the periodic table. The f-block elements are comprised of two groups: (i) the Lanthanides – which are mostly non-radioactive and used in many facets of modern technology and (ii) the Actinides – which are all radioactive and used primarily for energy applications. Many actinides, such as Berkelium, Californium, and Einsteinium, must be prepared and obtained from nuclear reactors, often times requiring Congressional approval. Very little chemical information is known regarding these elements due to their intense radioactivity, short half-lives, and zero natural abundance. The ability to predict and understand the chemical and physical properties of these exotic elements depends on a better understanding of their fundamental chemistry, much of which is currently unknown. Moreover, what little is known about these elements is often in opposition to what is observed elsewhere on the periodic table. My group, along with collaborators from other major research institutions and National Laboratories, seek to probe the electronic structure of the f-block elements by preparing and studying materials containing these scarce elements. The overall goal is a better understanding of the complex and esoteric chemistry observed at the end of the periodic table so that materials with tailor and designed properties can be produced. Our work has been published in well-respected journals including Science, Nature Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry.