Salisbury University Chemistry Department

04/23/2021

With gratitude and excitement, we would like to thank President Charles Wight and his wife, Victoria Rasmussen, for their $20,000 gift for the creation of the Dorothy Ruxton Chemistry Student Research Fund. The fund will provide travel grants and resources to allow SU chemistry students to travel to conferences to present their research and network with established scientists. The endowment is in honor of Dorothy Ruxton (pictured), President Wight’s mother and life-long advocate for education. This is a tremendous gift to SU Chemistry students! Thank you, President Wight!

Read more: https://www.salisbury.edu/news/article/2021-4-19-President-Wight-Establishes-20000-Dorothy-Ruxton-Chemistry-Student-Research-Fund-at-SU

With gratitude and excitement, we would like to thank President Charles Wight and his wife, Victoria Rasmussen, for their $20,000 gift for the creation of the Dorothy Ruxton Chemistry Student Research Fund. The fund will provide travel grants and resources to allow SU chemistry students to travel to conferences to present their research and network with established scientists. The endowment is in honor of Dorothy Ruxton (pictured), President Wight’s mother and life-long advocate for education. This is a tremendous gift to SU Chemistry students! Thank you, President Wight!

Read more: https://www.salisbury.edu/news/article/2021-4-19-President-Wight-Establishes-20000-Dorothy-Ruxton-Chemistry-Student-Research-Fund-at-SU

04/20/2021

Three SU Students Earn Goldwater Scholarships

Congratulations to the three(!) SU #GoldwaterScholars, including chemistry minors Marrissa and Zoe!

Three SU Students Earn Goldwater Scholarships

04/16/2021

Congratulations to undergraduate authors Bailey Wathen (SU Chem '2020) and Emily Lanehart, along with Professors Lena Woodis & (Corresponding author) Anthony Rojas for their 2021 publication in the prestigious J. Chem Ed!

From the abstract: This three-part laboratory experiment investigates key aspects of the Buchwald–Hartwig amination cross-coupling reaction through guided-inquiry learning strategies. The first part of this experiment utilizes high-throughput experimentation techniques to reinforce, explore, and extend fundamental concepts that are represented in the classroom, including the use of air-free Schlenk techniques and heteronuclear NMR analysis. The second component challenges students to evaluate their results to design, set up, and perform a preparative-scale Buchwald–Hartwig amination. Finally, students purify and isolate their products using column chromatography allowing them to fully characterize their target molecules through a variety of analytical techniques. This experiment represents one of the final experiments performed in the fourth-year undergraduate chemistry curriculum and serves as a capstone learning experience for students.

Congratulations to undergraduate authors Bailey Wathen (SU Chem '2020) and Emily Lanehart, along with Professors Lena Woodis & (Corresponding author) Anthony Rojas for their 2021 publication in the prestigious J. Chem Ed!

From the abstract: This three-part laboratory experiment investigates key aspects of the Buchwald–Hartwig amination cross-coupling reaction through guided-inquiry learning strategies. The first part of this experiment utilizes high-throughput experimentation techniques to reinforce, explore, and extend fundamental concepts that are represented in the classroom, including the use of air-free Schlenk techniques and heteronuclear NMR analysis. The second component challenges students to evaluate their results to design, set up, and perform a preparative-scale Buchwald–Hartwig amination. Finally, students purify and isolate their products using column chromatography allowing them to fully characterize their target molecules through a variety of analytical techniques. This experiment represents one of the final experiments performed in the fourth-year undergraduate chemistry curriculum and serves as a capstone learning experience for students.

04/15/2021

Junior chem major Emma D brought the sunshine on this rainy April day!

04/06/2021

Today is SU's Giving Day! A day when alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends, once again flock together for an extraordinary 24 hours, celebrating and supporting the areas of Salisbury University’s campus that mean the most to us.

Consider a gift to SU Chemistry or to the Irving and Sylvia Cort Chemistry Endowment Fund.

There are matching gifts, challenges, raffle prizes, and more! Every gift – when combined with others – does make a difference!

https://givingday.salisbury.edu/

#SUGivingDay

Today is SU's Giving Day! A day when alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends, once again flock together for an extraordinary 24 hours, celebrating and supporting the areas of Salisbury University’s campus that mean the most to us.

Consider a gift to SU Chemistry or to the Irving and Sylvia Cort Chemistry Endowment Fund.

There are matching gifts, challenges, raffle prizes, and more! Every gift – when combined with others – does make a difference!

https://givingday.salisbury.edu/

#SUGivingDay

03/18/2021

All SU Chem students & alum are invited to join the conversation this afternoon at 3:30 pm! Zoom link below.

We will be hosting a series of conversations on the President's 21 Day Antiracism Challenge. We invite you to sign up for the challenge, if you have not already, and engage with the daily material as much as you are able. On the designated dates in the invitation below, we will reflect on and discuss each section of material together. We hope that this will help raise the consciousness of the members of our community regarding issues of race, diversity, inclusion, and equity as a whole and as SU Chemists, as well as help us identify actions we can all take to be antiracists and foster an inclusive and equitable program.

Zoom Link: https://salisbury.zoom.us/j/99220550833?pwd=VTFmUDg4WE1RaE81YkUzNVY1Zmx6dz09

Meeting ID: 992 2055 0833
Passcode: 360820

We hope you will be able to join us!

Dr. Woodis, Dr. Dewald, Dr. Juncosa, and Dr. Rojas

Faculty Facilitators

02/22/2021

We will be hosting a series of conversations on the President's 21 Day Antiracism Challenge. We invite you to sign up for the challenge, if you have not already, and engage with the daily material as much as you are able. On the designated dates in the invitation below, we will reflect on and discuss each section of material together. We hope that this will help raise the consciousness of the members of our community regarding issues of race, diversity, inclusion, and equity as a whole and as SU Chemists, as well as help us identify actions we can all take to be antiracists and foster an inclusive and equitable program.

Zoom Link: https://salisbury.zoom.us/j/99220550833?pwd=VTFmUDg4WE1RaE81YkUzNVY1Zmx6dz09

Meeting ID: 992 2055 0833
Passcode: 360820

We hope you will be able to join us!

Dr. Woodis, Dr. Dewald, Dr. Juncosa, and Dr. Rojas

Faculty Facilitators

12/17/2020

With very heavy hearts we share news of the passing of Dr. Fred Kundell, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, who died suddenly on Saturday, December 12. Dr. Kundell was a pillar of our community, having served SU for more than 45 years before his retirement. A dedicated teacher and chemist, Dr. Kundell was a mentor and friend to students and colleagues alike. He is and will be missed.

12/11/2020

Department of Chemistry

Department of Chemistry

Department of Chemistry at Salisbury University. For more information about our chemistry major, please visit https://www.salisbury.edu/explore-academics/pro...

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.]