UA Chemistry Department News

December 2010

• Congratulations to the Chemistry students who received degrees in the December Commencement ceremony.
  • PhD
    • Amanda J. Mueller-Hendrix - Novel Methodologies via the Catalytic Carbocupration of Alkynoates and the Total Synthesis of (+)– Aspergillide B
      Advisor: Dr. Michael Jennings
    • Ning Sun - Dissolution and Processing of Cellulosic Materials with Ionic Liquids: Fundamentals and Applications
      Advisor: Dr. Robin Rogers
    • Yu-Hsiang Wang - Nanocrystals and Thin Films of Oxide and Chalcogenide Spinels for Spintronic Applications
      Advisor: Dr. Arun Gupta
  • MS
    • Tsu-Mei Chen
    • DeAna McAdory
    • Clifton Watkins
  • ACS-Certified BS
    • James M. Allen, Jr. - University Honors Program
    • Parker D. McCrary - summa cum laude
    • Tyler E. McPherson
  • BS
    • Austin G. Wilson - cum laude

November 2010

• Prof. John Vincent has published a study showing that the element chromium, long thought to be an essential nutrient, is not actually essential. Studies with rats showed that those on a chromium-free diet fared as well as those with various amounts of chromium. This work was published in the Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry. UA press release

October 2010

• Dr. John Vincent was named to the A&S Faculty Leadership Board in recognition of his many contributions to the college during the fall A&S faculty meeting.

September 2010

• Dr. Michael Cava, Ramsay Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, passed away recently. Prof. Cava came to UA as the Ramsay Professor from the University of Pennsylvania. Prof. Cava made significant contributions in areas ranging from the chemistry of biologically significant compounds, to the chemistry of Group VI elements, especially sulfur and tellurium, as well as material science studies aimed at the synthesis of new organic metals and non-linear optical materials. He published nearly 500 papers in his career. Obituary written by Dr. Robert Metzger
• The Chemistry Department was ranked in the second quartile of the recently released NRC Assessment of Graduate Programs. In the last rankings (1996), the Chemistry Department was ranked in the 3rd quartile. The 2010 rankings are based on data from 2006. In nearly every area, our metrics are stronger now than in 2006. UA Press Release
• Several undergraduate students from around the world spent time at UA this summer doing undergraduate research with UA faculty. UA press release
• Congratulations to Dr. Robin Rogers who will receive the ACS Award in Separation Science and Technology at the 2011 Spring ACS meeting in Anaheim, CA. UA Press Release

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August 2010

• The Department is pleased to welcome a new class of graduate students to UA.
  • Kimberly Anderson, Austin Peay University
  • Todd Davis, Auburn University
  • Ge Deng, Jiangsu Polytechnical University
  • Wenzhao Dong, China Pharmaceutical University
  • Hamza Dunya, Gaziospamas University
  • Jordan, Entrekin, The University of Alabama
  • Thomas Hester, University of Tennessee
  • David Johnson, Lincoln Memorial University
  • Marcus Johnson, Clark Atlanta University
  • Ashley Jolly, Western Kentucky University
  • Garima Kumar, Panjab University
  • Adam Magyar, North Dakota St.
  • Alie Mallet, University of West Florida
  • Carrie Jo Pruitt, Western Kentucky University
  • Michele Stover, William Carey University
  • Jue Wang, Central South Univeristy (China)
• Congratulations to the Chemistry students who received degrees in the August Commencement ceremony.
  • PhD
    • Chuleekorn "Grace" Chotsuwan - Probe Charging of Aryl Amine Films by Atomic Force Microscopy and Kelvin ProbeMicroscopy
      Advisor: Dr. Silas Blackstok
    • Daniel J. Grant - Structure, Heats of Formation, and Bond Dissociation Energies of Group IIIA-Group IVA-Group VA Molecules for Chemical Hydrogen Storage Systems
      Advisor: Dr. David Dixon
    • Whitney L. Hough - Functional Ionic Liquids for Use in Pharmaceutical Applications
      Advisor: Dr. Robin Rogers
    • Monical Vasiliu - Computational Thermodynamic Studies of Alkali and Alkaline Earth Compounds, Olefin Metathesis Catalysts, and Borane-Azoles for Chemical Hydrogen Storage
      Advisor: Dr. David Dixon
      
    • Tsang-Hsui Wang - The Computational Studies on the Chemistry of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles
      Advisor: Dr. David Dixon
  • MS
    • Meir An
    • Katrina Staggemeier
  • BS
    • Jordan T Entrekin - magna cum laude

July 2010

• Dr. Jason Spruell (BS, 2005) received one of the five IUPAC Prizes for Young Chemists, for his Ph.D. thesis work entitled "The Application of Copper-Catalyzed Reactions for the Efficient Synthesis of Donor-Acceptor Mechanically Interlocked Molecules as well as for Nanoscale Surface Patterning". Dr. Spruell received his PhD degree from Northwestern University in 2009 under the direction of Sir Fraser Stoddart.
• Graduate student Steven Kelley has received a 3-year graduate fellowship from DOE's Nuclear Energy University Program. Steven's advisor is Dr. Robin Rogers. UA Press Release

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June 2010

• The Department of Chemistry has received a GAANN grant from the Department of Education to enhance the graduate education program in the department. The grant will fund 5 graduate fellowships per year for three years. GAANN fellows will be involved in professional development programs while pursuing their PhD degrees. UA press release
• Third year graduate student Todd Sayler won a poster award at Fluoropolymer 2010 for his presentation entitled "On the Way to Improved
  Polymer Electrolyte Membranes: Preparation and Handling ofTetrafluoroethylene (TFE) in an Academic Laboratory." Fluoropolymer
  2010, an international workshop on fluoropolymers sponsored by the ACSDivision of Polymer Chemistry, was recently held in Meze, France. Mr. Sayler conducts research with Dr. Thrasher and other co-authors on the poster included Drs. Rick Fernandez and Alfred Waterfeld.
• Dr. Arunava Gupta has received the Alexander von Humboldt Senior Research Award for his research on magnetism and superconductivity. The Humboldt award is given for lifetime research contributions by a scientist. The award provides funds for Dr. Gupta to carry out research in Germany. UA press release
• Dr. David Dixon has received the 2010 Hydrogen Program R&D Award from the Department of Energy for his group's work in computational chemistry in support of chemical hydrogen storage technolgies. A&S press release
• Chemistry majors Rebecca Long and Richard Cockrum have been named to the 2010 USA Today All-Academic Team.Richard was named to the third team. He will be a senior chemistry major interested in a career in public health policy and has done undergraduate research with Prof. David Dixon. Rebecca was named to the Honorable Mention Team. She is a 2010 graduate of the department who will be pursuing a PhD degree in chemistry at the University of Texas-Austin. Rebecca also did undergraduate research with Dr. Dixon. UA Press Release
• The Department is pleased to welcome the 2010 participants in the NSF-funded Summer Undergradaute Research Participation (SURP) program. UA Press Release

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May 2010

• The Glassblowing class offered by Rick Smith was featured in an article in the Tuscaloosa News. Mr. Smith has offered this course regularly in his time at UA as the UA glassblower.
• The Department has received funding from the GAANN program to support enhance graduate student training. The grant will provide stipends for graduate students and development of enhanced training for these students. See the GAANN fellowship page for more information. The effort to secure this grant was led by Dr. Silas Blackstock
• Chemistry majors Matthew Kelley and Jessica Duke received NOAA Hollings Scholarships. Both Matthew and Jessica do undergraduate research with Dr. David Dixon. UA Press Release.
• Congratulations to all Chemistry students who received degrees in the Spring Commencement ceremony
  • PhD
    • Raluca Craciun - Computational Studies of Transition Metal Catalysts
      Advisor: Dr. David Dixon
  • MS
    • Jonathan I. Brauer
    • DeAna McAdory
    • Xueyu Zhang
  • ACS-Certified BS
    • Hannah K. Box
    • David P. Dorn, Jr. - magna cum laude
    • Courney L. Guenther - summa cum laude, University Honors Program, Computer-Based Honors Program
    • Jamie M. Hennigan - summa cum laude, University Honors Program, Computer-Based Honors Program
    • Rebecca T. Long - summa cum laude, University Honors Program, Computer-Based Honors Program
    • Timothy P. Montgomery - summa cum laude, University Honors Program
    • Sarah M. Nikles
    • Desiree J. J. Picone - summa cum laude, University Honors Program, Computer-Based Honors Program
    • Sarah M. Stuart - magma cum laude, University Honors Program
    • Matthew A. Thacker
  • BS
    • William C. Black - cum laude
    • Richard G. Childrey
    • Michael C. Eddins - summa cum laude, University Honors Program
    • Justin M. Hayward
    • Julie R. Richardson - cum laude
    • Devin S. Patel
    • Susanna S. Tubbs - cum laude
    • Jacob L. Turner - summa cum laude, University Honors Program
    • Corey E. Urban
    • Tara M. Veasey - summa cum laude
    • Laura K. Wells

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April 2010

• A project involved Dr. Martin Bakker and Dr. Laura Busenlenher entitled, "Mathematics and Science Partnership Expands to Foster Science Educationin Areas Schools," was recognized as an Outstanding Faculty/Staff Initiated Engagement Effort by the UA Council on Community-Based Partnerships.
• Thirty two students doing reserch in the Chemistry Department participated in the UA Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference. Sarah Nikles received the 2nd place award in the poster competition for her work with Dr. Nikles. Emily Wayman (Dr. Frantom) recieved first place in the oral competition and Jackie Parks (Dr. Shaughnessy) placed send.
• Daniel Grant received University Outstanding Research by a Doctoral Student during UA Honors Week. Daniel is a PhD student in Dr. David Dixon's group. Congratulations to Daniel and all of the other graduate and undergraduate students in the department received awards.

• Seven Chemistry Department students received Randall Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awards. Department students took 7 out of the 14 awards this year.
  • Awuri Asuru (Busenlehner)
  • Jessica R. Duke (Dixon)
  • Natalie W. Gist (Dixon)
  • Rebecca T. Long (Dixon)
  • Matthew S. Kelley (Dixon)
  • Darryl A. Outlaw (Dixon)
  • Richard Cockrum (Dixon) - Richard was also named the recipient of the Henry J. Pettus Randall, Jr. Research Scholarship as the top CBHP research project.
• Congratulations to chemistry majors Jessica Duke and Matthew Kelly who have been chosen as recipients of the 2010 NOAA Hollings Scholarship.
• Congratulations to Dr. Carolyn Cassady who has been promoted to full professor effective in August.
• Department is pleased to announce the hiring of two new faculty members. Dr. Daniel Goebbert will be joining the department this fall as a physical chemist. Dr. Marco Bonizzoni has accepted a position on the organic faculty.
• Congratulations to the 2010 inductees of Gamma Sigma Epsilon.

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Feburary 2010

• Duncan Harmon received first prize at the University of Memphis Undergraduate Research Conference. Duncan carries out research in Dr. Shaughnessy's group on the coordination of neopentylphosphines to palladium and the catalytic application of these complexes.

January 2010

• UA now has a site license for ChemOffice. Follow this link and use your ua.edu email address to download your copy.

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