Dr. Nichols joined the Chemistry Department in 1994. His Ph.D. research involved studies into the structural and thermodynamic properties of organolithium compounds. Dr. Nichols spent two years as a postdoctoral associate at Brown University determining the solid-state structures of organic and organometallic compounds using x-ray crystallography. Before coming to John Carroll, Dr. Nichols served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Kansas State and Ohio Universities. At JCU, his research interests involve studying the solution and solid-state structures of organoalkali compounds by x-ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic spectroscopy, synthesizing isotopically-labeled organic and organometallic compounds, and determining the thermodynamics and mechanisms of organoalkali reactions using reaction calorimetry and computational methods. 

He also has research interests in the area of environmental chemistry, particularly in the water chemistry of urban Cleveland streams and constructed wetlands. In Summers 2004/2005, he is collaborating with the City of Shaker Heights and The Doan Brook Watershed Partnership on studies of the effectiveness of bioaugmentation in preventing excessive algal and other plant growth in two small lakes and determining the effects of commercial and residential turf management practices on herbicide, nutrient, and oil/grease inputs.  Previous research projects have studied the effectiveness of constructed wetlands in the remediation of urban run-off (in collaboration with the Summit County Soil and Water Conservation District) and water quality monitoring in the Euclid Creek Watershed. 

Dr. Nichols regularly teaches Organic Chemistry Lecture and Lab, and has taught General and Honors General Chemistry, Advanced Physical Organic Chemistry, and Environmental Chemistry courses.