Salisbury University Chemistry Department

11/20/2020

Salisbury University

Interesting work out of the #SUChemDept!

Student success is often measured by GPA, classroom attendance and standardized test scores. But studies have shown there is an even more important factor: passion and perseverance, or “grit.” Inspired by a study by psychologist Angela Duckworth, SU student Marrissa Izykiwicz and her mentor, Dr. Anthony Rojas, looked at grit as a predictor of student success in introductory chemistry courses. Their findings could help diversity and inclusion in STEM fields.

Learn more about:
- Research at SU: www.salisbury.edu/explore-academics/research
- SU's Chemistry Department: www.salisbury.edu/chemistry

10/07/2020

CRISPR, the revolutionary genetic "scissors," honored by Chemistry Nobel

Emmanuelle Charpentier of France and American Jennifer Doudna share the 2020 Chemistry Nobel Prize!

Selection of just two scientists will stir controversy given patent fight over genome editor's discovery

09/24/2020

Please join your fellow Chemistry majors and faculty for the annual Golden Goggle Games! We’ll be hosting this year’s event on Zoom. Teams will consist of 4 players. You can form your team in advance, or we’ll happily place you on a team the evening of the event. Mr. Brent Alogna has been hard at work preparing fun prizes that the top 3 finishing teams can pick up after the event. Our very own Dr. Sokoloski will be hosting and has synthesized some fun trivia questions for your enjoyment.

At 7 pm Thursday, September 24th, let’s get ready to rumble at https://salisbury.zoom.us/j/92567894699 Meeting ID: 925 6789 4699!

09/11/2020

Salisbury University

Salisbury University

It is a semester like no other. Wondering what college campuses look like as the fall semester begins with de-densified classrooms and spaces? Salisbury University faculty and students made changes to support health and safety, and are making the best of new ways of interacting. SU is committed to fulfilling its mission of providing opportunities and access to higher education, especially during COVID-19. Teaching and learning will continue in any formats possible. Sea Gulls adapt and overcome.

Learn more about SU’s response to COVID-19: www.salisbury.edu/coronavirus

09/11/2020

This weekend the organization '500 Women Scientists' is hosting a free virtual screening of the documentary film "Picture a Scientist".
Join Drs. Dewald & Miller for a remote screening of the film with a simultaneous live chat via Slack!
All are welcome; message this page for details!

08/31/2020

Welcome back, students! We've missed you!

Whether you are masking-up for a reduced-density, physically-distanced class or you're zooming in from your home, dorm, or apartment computer, we hope you have a wonderful first day!

08/28/2020

Salisbury University Chemistry Department

08/10/2020

Over on Twitter, this week is celebrating #BlackinChem. Celebrate and highlight chemists of the past, present, and future. Each day will highlight different subdivisions and amazing events. Questions can be directed to Devin Swiner at [email protected]! [On twitter: "at"Devin_Eleven]

07/21/2020

This week the Henson Summer Research Program welcomes ALMA/NRAO astronomer Dr. Violette Impellizzeri to the weekly Zoom colloquium. Dr. Impellizzeri will give a brief seminar on her work, then will answer questions about astronomy and her life as an astronomer. The colloquium is 4-5 pm this Thursday, July 23.

Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Impellizzeri was part of the team that took the world's first picture of a supermassive black hole and she led the team that discovered counter-rotating gas streams around massive black holes, providing a possible explanation for their rapid growth. Please see: https://public.nrao.edu/news/going-against-the-flow-around-a-supermassive-black-hole/

In 2017 NRAO put together this 4 minute video clip introducing Dr. Impellizzeri as a role model: https://public.nrao.edu/explore/role-models/dr-violette-impellizzeri/

The colloquium is open to SU and SU-adjacent science enthusiasts. Please email Henson Summer Research Program Coordinator Dr. Alison Dewald ([email protected]) for an invitation to the Zoom meeting.
Henson School of Science and Technology - Salisbury University

07/07/2020

The Henson Summer Research Program is up and running! Fifteen of our undergraduates are doing remote research with faculty mentors from various departments throughout Henson. As part of the program, the students meet for a weekly Zoom Colloquium on various scientific/professional development topics.

For this week's colloquium, we welcome evolutionary biologist Dr. Winter Beckles, who recently completed his PhD from the University of Miami. Dr. Beckles will be giving a seminar (via Zoom) at 4:00pm Thursday, July 9, entitled, "Diversity in Nature: From Signals, to Species, to the Scientists Studying Them."

In addition to our summer research cohort, this seminar is open to any SU (or SU-adjacent) science enthusiasts. Please email program coordinator Dr. Alison Dewald ([email protected]) for a Zoom invitation. Henson School of Science and Technology - Salisbury University Salisbury University Department of Mathematics & Computer Science Salisbury University Biology Department Salisbury University Department of Geography & Geosciences Salisbury University Physics Department

06/27/2020

Three cheers for Dr. Rojas for securing a major NIH award to benefit the students of SU Chemistry!
“The proposed research will have a tremendous positive impact through the engagement of students in projects at the forefront of synthesis of MRI contrast agents, likely propelling them to future careers in the chemical and biomedical sciences,” Rojas said.
At Salisbury University Chemistry research like that described here is done by undergraduates working directly with faculty; our undergraduates get direct, hands-on experience with cutting edge instrumentation through their research and classwork.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Dr. Anthony Rojas of the Chemistry Department in the Henson School of Science and Technology - Salisbury University a $360,624 grant to expand MRI contrast agent research and equipment for undergraduates. http://ow.ly/Ysdq50AgAiS

06/16/2020

Dr. Dave Keifer, his wife Gina, and big brother Jax welcomed new baby Kennedy Mae to the world on June 10! They are all healthy and well. Congratulations!

06/04/2020

Salisbury University

In 2011, Dr. Stephen Habay received a Faculty Mini-Grant that allowed him to continue research on a previously unknown chemical reaction discovered by his students. Habay and his students published the results in the Journal of Organic Chemistry and have been cited by other professionals in the field.

Read more about "Moving Medicine Forward, One Molecule at a Time" in SU’s 2020 Re:Search Magazine: http://ow.ly/9sHA50yWxZG

06/03/2020

Salisbury University

SU hosts the virtual panel discussion “Dialogue on Race and Its Impact on People of Color” at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 4.

Seven panelists join facilitator Joan Williams, SU associate vice president for diversity and inclusion, and chief diversity officer. The event aims to provide space for healing, understanding and awareness relating to national issues.

Learn more and register: http://ow.ly/qTrw50zX2et

05/16/2020

SU Chemistry Senior Recognition

SU Chem Dept Senior Recognition Ceremony was live on YouTube!
Watch here: https://youtu.be/EnNJRwSjYy8
**Ceremony starts around minute 17!**

05/15/2020

Happy last day, #Seagullchemists, especially to the Class of 2020! We remember when you were just getting started. We’ve got the pictures! Here are some from orientation day, August 2016. How far you’ve come since that first liquid nitrogen ice cream in the Chem Lounge!
Looking forward to celebrating you tomorrow! Remember that family & friends are invited to watch live at 10am, https://youtu.be/R5g1SNfQUXk.

05/13/2020

The Glenn Award honors Dr. James F. Glenn, who taught in Salisbury's chemistry department from 1943-1973. The award is given each year to a senior SU chemistry major with outstanding academics who has also made significant contributions to chemistry education via teaching, outreach, or support to the department.
The 2020 spring graduate recipient of the Glenn Award is Cindy Zheng. In addition to her exemplary academics, Zheng has served the department as a lab assistant for three of her four years at SU. She has done two semesters of protein biochemistry research in the Dewald lab, and has been a reliable STEM Saturday volunteer, sharing her chemistry knowledge with youth from the Salisbury Community. After graduation, Cindy will apply to dental school, and will enter a DMD program fall 2021. Congratulations!

05/12/2020

Please join us for a ceremony recognizing the SU Chemistry Spring Class of 2020 this Saturday, May 16, at 10:00 am! Family, Friends, & Alumni are invited to watch the ceremony live via YouTube – https://youtu.be/R5g1SNfQUXk (Thanks, Dr. Rojas!). Seniors should look for an email from Dr. Dewald with an invitation to join the Zoom. Congratulations, Seniors! We are so proud of you!

05/11/2020

Salisbury University Chemistry Department

05/08/2020

Whew! This semester didn’t look at all as planned, but we’ve made it to the last day of class.
Our students have demonstrated so much resiliency and kindness. We are grateful and proud.
Spring 2020 semester: Happy last day.

[Picture: Chem 418 (Biochemistry II) students discuss a paper on metabolic syndrome and cancer.]

05/07/2020

Congratulations to Bailee Wathen, who is the 2020 Dudley Award Winner!

The Dudley Award was created by President Emeritus Dr. Janet Dudley-Eshbach to honor her father, chemist Allen R. Dudley. The Dudley is awarded each year to a senior SU Chemistry major based on academic excellence in science and math and the potential for an exceptional future in STEM.

Wathen is an ACS Chem major with a minor in psychology. In addition to her excellent academics, she has spent three semesters doing research in the Rojas lab, is the president of the SU USNDA (dental club), has served as a chem supplemental instruction leader and grader, and is the recipient of the analytical chemistry award.

Bailee will begin work on her D.M.D at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine this fall.

Congratulations!

05/06/2020

SU Chemistry Department Adds Home Lab Kits to Summer Online Courses

For students taking SU chemistry this summer, the lab kits are coming to them!
“We want students and parents to trust in the level of education SU is providing, whether in-person or online, and this way we are able to maintain the learning outcomes expected in the classrooms and labs,” said Dr. Anthony Rojas, assistant professor of chemistry.

https://www.salisbury.edu/news/article/2020-4-30-SU-Chemistry-Department-Adds-Home-Lab-Kits-to-Summer-Online-Courses

SU Chemistry Department Adds Home Lab Kits to Summer Online Courses

05/04/2020

A Day in the Life of Sammy

"Our flock will unite again." https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ-s6uO8nYc&feature=share&noapp=1

Want to know how Sammy the Sea Gull is spending his time? Each day he takes a walk around campus, before jumping into his Zoom classes! Sammy has fond memori...

04/23/2020

We're very proud!

Congratulations to Austin Dabbs, our latest recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship! He'll be conducting research in Germany next year! Austin is a senior in Chemistry looking at making much more efficient solar cells using quantum dots. Way to go, Austin - we are very proud of you!

04/22/2020

Congratulations to SU Chem major and now Fulbright Scholar Austin Dabbs!

Congratulations to Chemistry Major and @suhonors student Austin Dabbs for winning a Fulbright Scholarship to engage in research next year in Germany! Austin is working on great research with quantum dots! #fulbrightprgm. We are so proud... great job Austin!

04/07/2020

We see you, Class of 2020.

Q: I understand the need to cancel Spring Commencement due to limits on gatherings to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Will it be re-scheduled as an in-person ceremony later in the year?

A: SU announced that Spring Commencement will be rescheduled at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury for the weekend of December 19-20 (and possibly also the evening of December 18, depending on the number of graduates). This will allow all members of the spring and fall Classes of 2020 to celebrate their graduation on the same weekend, a first in SU history! Seniors should have received an email with details on this, as well as a special celebration package being planned for each graduate at the end of this semester.

04/03/2020

Discover SU – Take a Virtual Tour!

Thinking about SU? Missing SU? (We sure are!) Check out this virtual tour.
[And is that Dr. Brown we see just before minute 5?]
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lBOl_h84Dpw

Experience campus virtually and discover all that Salisbury University has to offer. The award-winning Guerrieri Academic Commons is the perfect place to stu...

03/23/2020

Dear Students,
Welcome “back”! The 2nd half of this semester doesn’t look at all how we expected it to look; it isn’t at all what we had planned. Here are 3 things that haven’t changed:
We (SUChem faculty & staff) care about you.
We want you to learn.
We want you to succeed.
To the spring class of 2020 – you will still graduate. We don’t yet know what the celebration will look like, but you will graduate. Eight weeks of online learning will not change that. We are so proud of you.
Good luck to students, faculty, and staff as we begin an unprecedented half semester. Let’s be patient with one another. We are all in this together, and all figuring it out as we go. #SUChem

02/22/2020

We're proud of you, Julia!

“What I love about being a chemistry major at SU is that I have seen myself do things I never thought I could do. I have pushed myself to the max and am so proud of where I’ve gotten.”

Find out how Julia’s research at SU prepared her to pursue a career in pharmacy: http://ow.ly/L0fI50yoi9i

Learn more about SU’s chemistry major: http://ow.ly/80Jd50yoi9g

02/20/2020

The letter-writing campaign to prospective students will be rescheduled.
Instead, we invite you to join us in the Chem Lounge at 3:30pm on Thursday, February 20, for conversation and to contribute, if you so wish, to creating signs/artwork that will reclaim our hall and building as a place of belonging and support.

Please spread the word among all of our majors. 
We stand united against craven acts of hate.

02/12/2020

Guerrieri Undergraduate Research Summer Program 2020

The tradition of undergraduate students and dedicated faculty engaged in innovative research during the summer months here in the Henson School of Science and Technology continues! Attached is the call for proposals for the Guerrieri Undergraduate Research Summer Program 2020.

While the full details are attached, here are the highlights:

· Students are awarded a summer stipend of $3,500
· The research team of student and faculty mentor are provided with $1,000 for supplies
· Research projects will last throughout the summer for approximately 10 weeks
· You will develop your summer research proposal collaboratively with your faculty mentor
· Collaborative activities and social events for summer research awardees will be organized
· A celebration highlighting the work of those engaged in summer research will be held on September 3
· The deadline to apply is March 13, 2020

I encourage you to talk with a member of our outstanding SU faculty about their interest in mentoring you for this highly-competitive research experience and I look forward to learning about all of your amazing discoveries this summer.

After reviewing the attached details, if you have any questions, please contact Ms. Creasy ([email protected]) in the Henson Dean’s Office.

Guerrieri Undergraduate Research Summer Program 2020

The tradition of undergraduate students and dedicated faculty engaged in innovative research during the summer months here in the Henson School of Science and Technology continues! Attached is the call for proposals for the Guerrieri Undergraduate Research Summer Program 2020.

While the full details are attached, here are the highlights:

· Students are awarded a summer stipend of $3,500
· The research team of student and faculty mentor are provided with $1,000 for supplies
· Research projects will last throughout the summer for approximately 10 weeks
· You will develop your summer research proposal collaboratively with your faculty mentor
· Collaborative activities and social events for summer research awardees will be organized
· A celebration highlighting the work of those engaged in summer research will be held on September 3
· The deadline to apply is March 13, 2020

I encourage you to talk with a member of our outstanding SU faculty about their interest in mentoring you for this highly-competitive research experience and I look forward to learning about all of your amazing discoveries this summer.

After reviewing the attached details, if you have any questions, please contact Ms. Creasy ([email protected]) in the Henson Dean’s Office.