chemistry division - learning through research · increase student learning using lecture...

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Chemistry Division Nominee: Dr. Karen H Almeida Institution: Rhode Island College Physical Sciences, Providence, RI Title: Professor Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): My official title is Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Rhode Island College (RIC). In addition to my faculty duties, I was tapped by the Vice-President of Academic Affairs to inform the next strategic plan by developing a white paper on the status of scientific Undergraduate Research (UR) at RIC. Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): During my nine years at RIC, I have built and maintained an active undergraduate research program. This work has been supported primarily through statewide grant initiatives such as RI-INBRE (NIH) or RI-EPSCoR (NSF). With these funds, I have trained 32 undergraduates of diverse majors, including chemistry, biology, nursing and philosophy. Students who have conducted research in my lab have continued their studies or are working in industrial settings. My research training strategy includes students in all aspects of the research endeavor including literature reviews, experimental design, analyzing/interpreting data and communicating the results. Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*): Bergeron KL*, Murphy EL*, Brown L*, Almeida KH. (2011) “Critical interaction domains between bloom syndrome protein and RAD51” Protein J. 30(1), 1-8. PMID: 21113733 Bergeron, K.L.*, Murphy, E.L.*, Majofodun, O*, Muñoz, L.D.*, Williams Jr., J.C. and Almeida, K.H. (2009) “Arylphosphonium salts interact with DNA to modulate cytotoxicity,” Mutation Research: Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis. 673(2) 141-148. PMID 19429515 Almeida, K.H., Merson, R.R., Spinette, S.M., “Rhode Island College Efforts to Expand Faculty Mentored Research” (2008) Council on Undergraduate Research National Conference, St. Benedict’s College, St. Cloud, MN In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years? (limit 200 words): I believe that undergraduate research opens the door through which students, particularly underrepresented, can pursue and excel in science. Since 2010, I have focused on developing and growing a concentration in biological chemistry within RIC’s BS chemistry program . Undergraduate research (UR), a cornerstone of this degree, plays a major role in its growth. As the only biochemist in my department, I have advised dozens of students, developed a hypothesis-driven biochemistry lab course and supervised student research projects that teach students both practical techniques and critical thinking skills. These skills have served the BS biological chemistry graduates well, with 100% currently pursuing graduate degrees or working in academic or industrial settings. Though new, the BS biological chemistry degree now accounts for 50% of the chemistry majors. While numbers are small, the positive slope is encouraging. This is due in part to other activities I developed to encourage a community of student-scholars, including resume/interviewing workshops, social events and study sessions. I spearheaded the continuation of this community after graduation with a Facebook page to disseminate information and encourage networking between students and alum. Students report that UR requirements and graduates’ success stories influence their decision to pursue biological chemistry at RIC.

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Page 1: Chemistry Division - Learning Through Research · Increase Student Learning Using Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry" (SG-01-065). Principle Investigator: Holly M. Bevsek

Chemistry Division

Nominee: Dr. Karen H Almeida

Institution: Rhode Island College Physical Sciences, Providence, RI

Title: Professor

Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): My official title is Professor of Chemistry and

Biochemistry at Rhode Island College (RIC). In addition to my faculty duties, I was tapped by the Vice-President of

Academic Affairs to inform the next strategic plan by developing a white paper on the status of scientific Undergraduate

Research (UR) at RIC.

Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): During my nine years at RIC, I

have built and maintained an active undergraduate research program. This work has been supported primarily through

statewide grant initiatives such as RI-INBRE (NIH) or RI-EPSCoR (NSF). With these funds, I have trained 32

undergraduates of diverse majors, including chemistry, biology, nursing and philosophy. Students who have

conducted research in my lab have continued their studies or are working in industrial settings. My research training

strategy includes students in all aspects of the research endeavor including literature reviews, experimental design,

analyzing/interpreting data and communicating the results.

Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*):

Bergeron KL*, Murphy EL*, Brown L*, Almeida KH. (2011) “Critical interaction domains between bloom syndrome

protein and RAD51” Protein J. 30(1), 1-8. PMID: 21113733

Bergeron, K.L.*, Murphy, E.L.*, Majofodun, O*, Muñoz, L.D.*, Williams Jr., J.C. and Almeida, K.H. (2009)

“Arylphosphonium salts interact with DNA to modulate cytotoxicity ,” Mutation Research: Genetic Toxicology and

Environmental Mutagenesis. 673(2) 141-148. PMID 19429515

Almeida, K.H., Merson, R.R., Spinette, S.M., “Rhode Island College Efforts to Expand Faculty Mentored Research”

(2008) Council on Undergraduate Research National Conference, St. Benedict’s College, St. Cloud, MN

In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years?

(limit 200 words): I believe that undergraduate research opens the door through which students, particularly

underrepresented, can pursue and excel in science. Since 2010, I have focused on developing and growing a

concentration in biological chemistry within RIC’s BS chemistry program. Undergraduate research (UR), a cornerstone

of this degree, plays a major role in its growth. As the only biochemist in my department, I have advised dozens of

students, developed a hypothesis-driven biochemistry lab course and supervised student research projects that teach

students both practical techniques and critical thinking skills. These skills have served the BS biological chemistry

graduates well, with 100% currently pursuing graduate degrees or working in academic or industrial settings. Though

new, the BS biological chemistry degree now accounts for 50% of the chemistry majors. While numbers are small, the

positive slope is encouraging. This is due in part to other activities I developed to encourage a community of

student-scholars, including resume/interviewing workshops, social events and study sessions. I spearheaded the

continuation of this community after graduation with a Facebook page to disseminate information and encourage

networking between students and alum. Students report that UR requirements and graduates’ success stories

influence their decision to pursue biological chemistry at RIC.

Page 2: Chemistry Division - Learning Through Research · Increase Student Learning Using Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry" (SG-01-065). Principle Investigator: Holly M. Bevsek

Chemistry Division

CUR has articulated five “strategic pillars” (listed below) to guide its work in the coming years. Describe

how your experience/knowledge could be of value to the mission of the Council broadly. (limit 250 words): I

chose Rhode Island College because it is a public, comprehensive 4-year institution that serves a high percentage of

urban and first generation students. I believe that a science degree is achievable for any student who wants to work for

it. At RIC, I have focused on two of CUR’s 5 strategic pillars, increasing UR in the curriculum and increasing access to

UR for underrepresented groups. Retention rates at RIC mirror those nationally and attrition in the sciences is even

higher, highlighting the need to encourage and retain more disadvantaged students in primarily undergraduate

institutions. I have been active in developing a grant proposal to centralize and expand the faculty-student collaborative

research as a means of increasing retention rates. The proposal uses CUR as a model to institute high impact

practices specifically increasing UR principles and methods into the curriculum. The biological chemistry

concentration that I developed highlights faculty-student collaborations, technical skills and problem-solving strategies

culminating in a publication style manuscript. Currently one-third of the students pursuing the biological chemistry

concentration are self-identified as members of an underrepresented group; two-thirds are women. By building a

community of student-scholars that are actively engaged in UR, I am increasing the number of underrepresented

students earning a BS in biological chemistry from RIC. I believe the “building” experience that I have led at RIC can be

of value to CUR, while my position as a CUR Councilor can bring valuable insight back to RIC as the college develops

its own UR program.

Page 3: Chemistry Division - Learning Through Research · Increase Student Learning Using Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry" (SG-01-065). Principle Investigator: Holly M. Bevsek

Chemistry Division

Nominee: Dr. Holly M Bevsek

Institution: The Citadel Chemistry, Charleston, SC

Title: Associate Professor

Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): Department of Chemistry, The Citadel

Associate Professor, 2012-present

Assistant Professor, 2006-2012

Department of Chemistry, Susquehanna University

Visiting Assistant Professor, 2002-2005

Lyman Briggs College and Department of Chemsitry, Michigan State University

Dutton Fellow in Chemistry, 1997-2002

Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): The South Carolina Space Grant

Consortium and SC NASA EPSCoR "Reaction of Methane with Hydrogen Peroxide Adsorbed on a Martian Soil

Analog". Principle Investigator: Holly M. Bevsek. Award: $8,000 with $8,000 institutional match. Funding period:

5/1/11-6/30/13.

The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc., Special Grant Program in the Chemical Sciences " A New Model to

Increase Student Learning Using Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry" (SG-01-065). Principle Investigator:

Holly M. Bevsek. Award: $25,949 with $25,000 institutional match. Funding Period: 1/30/01–9/30/06.

Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*):

Reaction products and kinetics of the reaction of NO2 with gamma-Fe2O3, B. C. Hixson*, J. W. Jordan*, E. L.

Wagner*, and H. M. Bevsek, Journal of Physical Chemistry A., 2011, 115, 13364.

Utilizing Problem Based Learning in Qualitative Analysis Lab Experiments , Randall W. Hicks and Holly M. Bevsek,

Journal of Chemical Education, 2012, 89, 254.

Reaction of methane with hydrogen peroxide adsorbed on a Martian soil simulant

D. Evan Eich* and Holly M. Bevsek, 243rd National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, San Diego, CA 2012,

Abstract CHED 1285.

In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years?

(limit 200 words): I have been a strong proponent for undergraduate research throughout my career and currently am

the CUR liaison for The Citadel. As the liaison I was instrumental in obtaining a CUR Institutional Membership and

procured funds to bring a CUR representative to review our department’s research program and offer a targeted

workshop on undergraduate research. I have mentored over twenty undergraduate students, many of whom began

their projects as freshmen or sophomores. As general chemistry laboratory coordinator for Lyman Briggs College at

Michigan State University, I designed an original research project requirement for all second semester chemistry

students and also served as research mentor for the majority of these students (~40/year). My experience in this

endeavor was helpful in implementing my current department’s “Freshmen Research Initiative” in which Citadel

chemistry majors conduct research projects in their second semester of general chemistry laboratory (we have plans

to offer all general chemistry students this experience in the future ). I also am the coordinator for our “Summer

Research Lunch” (initiated by myself) in which undergraduates performing summer research on campus meet to

discuss their research with one another; professional development seminars (e.g., ethical conduct of research,

performing useful literature searches) also occur.

Page 4: Chemistry Division - Learning Through Research · Increase Student Learning Using Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry" (SG-01-065). Principle Investigator: Holly M. Bevsek

Chemistry Division

CUR has articulated five “strategic pillars” (listed below) to guide its work in the coming years. Describe

how your experience/knowledge could be of value to the mission of the Council broadly. (limit 250 words):

My career experiences mesh well with CUR’s five strategic pillars. Research has always been a process and an

outcome in my courses. I have mentored many students from freshmen to seniors with most presenting their results

at various conferences. My course curricula assist students in developing their research skills, e.g., learning to read

and write journal articles. Most importantly, I am a strong proponent of a four-year research program and co-designed

my department’s program (currently being piloted).

Assessment is an activity that I love. At MSU I learned assessment under Professor Diane Ebert-May, a

nationally-recognized expert on assessment. Since then assessment has always been a part of my career. From

2008-2013 I was the external evaluator for a NSF-funded GK-12 program at Texas Tech University and, most relevantly,

am currently developing an assessment plan for our department’s four -year research program.

With regard to broadening both participation in undergraduate research and the types of experiences that are offered , I

have actively recruited and served as research mentor for a significant number of students from underrepresented

groups. More broadly, research experiences are successful at attracting and retaining students–indeed, freshmen (our

largest and most diverse group) retention is a goal of my department’s four-year research program. Finally, my

department has a record of collaborating with businesses, government laboratories, and a local aquarium to design

non-traditional research experiences for students and I would enjoy utilizing my knowledge of these programs as a

councilor in designing a “Study Abroad/Research Semester” program for undergraduate students.

Page 5: Chemistry Division - Learning Through Research · Increase Student Learning Using Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry" (SG-01-065). Principle Investigator: Holly M. Bevsek

Chemistry Division

Nominee: Dr. Keri Colabroy

Institution: Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA

Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): Associate Professor of Chemistry. Muhlenberg

College

Co-Director, Biochemistry Program

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Coordinator

Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback

Foundation Award

for Distinguished Teaching (2012), Muhlenberg College. Presented in recognition of contributions to the intellectual

growth of students at Muhlenberg College.

Cottrell College Science Award Recipient, Research Corporation (2007) Grant title: Lincomycin Biosynthesis – The

enzymology of propylhygric acid assembly

Faculty Summer Research Grant Recipient, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, Muhlenberg College

Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*): 1.

Keri L. Colabroy†, Ian R. Smith*, Alexander .H.S. Vlahos*, Andrew J. Markham*, Matthew E. Jakubik*. “Defining a

kinetic mechanism for l-DOPA 2,3 dioxygenase, a single-domain type I extradiol dioxygenase from Streptomyces

lincolnensis” Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics, 2014, 1844 (3) 607-614. doi:

10.1016/j.bbapap.2013.12.005

2. Keri L. Colabroy†, William T. Hackett*, Andrew J. Markham*, Jennifer Rosenberg*, David E. Cohen*, Ariel

Jacobson*. “Biochemical characterization of L-DOPA 2,3-dioxygenase, a single-domain type I extradiol dioxygenase

from lincomycin biosynthesis.” Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysic, 2008, 479(2):131-8. doi:

10.1016/j.abb.2008.08.022

3. Keri L. Colabroy†. “A Writing Intensive Methods-Based Laboratory Course for Undergraduates” Biochemistry and

Molecular Biology Education. 2011, 39 (3): 196-203. doi: 10.1002/bmb.20496

* denotes undergraduates

†denotes corresponding author

In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years?

(limit 200 words): Over the past 5 years, I have maintained an active research group mentoring 15 undergraduate

students for a combined 43 semesters of student research. I have published my work in peer-reviewed journals, with

four undergraduate co-authors (Colabroy, ABB, 2008; Connor, Biochemistry, 2011; Colabroy, BBA, 2014), and I have

integrated original research into my semester long laboratory course (Colabroy, BAMED 2011). I have presented my

work at the Enzymes, Coenzymes and Metabolic Pathways Gordon Conference, and a student presented our work in

the BIOL section of the ACS this past year (Ian Smith, 2014). I was a invited participant to an NSF-WIDER workshop on

collaborative research and integrating research into courses. In 2014, I led a tri-institutional team which was awarded a

Teagle grant to explore the creation of an online video archives for instruction in research instrumentation – this archive

is under development and is freely available for research and teaching.

Colabroy, K.L., Smith, I.R., Vlahos, A.H.S., Markham, A.J., Jakubik, M.E. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) -

Proteins and Proteomics, Available online 21 December 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbapap.2013.12.005

Connor, K.L., Colabroy, K. L., Gerratana, B. Biochemistry 2011 Oct 18, 50(41):8926-36

Colabroy, KL Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. 2011, 39 (3): 196-203

Page 6: Chemistry Division - Learning Through Research · Increase Student Learning Using Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry" (SG-01-065). Principle Investigator: Holly M. Bevsek

Chemistry Division

CUR has articulated five “strategic pillars” (listed below) to guide its work in the coming years. Describe

how your experience/knowledge could be of value to the mission of the Council broadly. (limit 250 words):

Since 2006, I have been integrating original research into my Experimental Biochemistry course, and yearly assessing

the impacts on our Biochemistry curriculum. I understand the challenges and also the rewards of student research in

the classroom, and the tremendous impacts on student learning. As the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship

Coordinator on our campus, I have worked to get student research representation from across the academic

disciplines. I am committed to bringing undergraduate research opportunities to as many students as possible – by

making them aware of those opportunities, by supporting the faculty who offer them, and by cultivating a student

research community on our campus. These experiences have afforded me insight into the challenges faculty and

administrators face in providing research opportunities for students, and the high impact practices that maintain and

retain student researchers across disciplines. For example, in the summer, I organize a seminar series that brings

together the summer research cohort to discuss and learn from one another, and this year, our annual summer

research poster session showcased 53 students, including 9 from outside natural science disciplines, and two

students presenting international projects. Our Student Scholar Spotlight video series raises awareness and

showcases innovative student research taking place across campus, and the online instructional video archive of

research instrumentation that I created helps faculty teach best practices to research students while reinforcing

student learning and supporting collaboration across disciplines. We are currently exploring how the video archive can

be expanded to support inter-institutional collaboration.

Page 7: Chemistry Division - Learning Through Research · Increase Student Learning Using Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry" (SG-01-065). Principle Investigator: Holly M. Bevsek

Chemistry Division

Nominee: Dr. Kimberley Frederick

Institution: Skidmore College Chemistry, Saratoga Springs, NY

Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): I am currently a Professor and Chair of the

Chemistry Department at Skidmore College. I also serve as shepherd for our science building project. Outside of

Skidmore, I am the chair of the education committee of the ACS Analytical Division

Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): In the last five years, I have had

the following funding:

1. Frederick, K.A. (1/10-9/14) “Development and Implementation of an Inquiry-Based, Laboratory-Driven, General

Chemistry Sequence, NSF-CCLI (DUE 0941951), $198,224

2. Frederick, K.A. (1/10-6/13) “MRI-R2: From Molecules to Ecosystems: Establishment of the Skidmore Analytical

Interdisciplinary Laboratory (SAIL)” co-PI, NSF-MRI (DBI 0959476), $547,755

3. Frederick, K.A. (10/06-10/11) “Studies of flow processes in microfluidic systems involving polyelectrolyte

multilayers, thermoresponsive polymers and guanosine gels” Henry Dreyfus Teacher -Scholar Award, $60,000

During my research career, I have secured over $2million dollars in total funding

Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*): 1.

S Wang*, R. Ahern*, D. Remillard*, A Newell*, H DeGraaf* and KA Frederick, "Development of an Assay to Detection

D-Lactate in Human Urine" Anal Bioanal Chem under review

2. K.A. Frederick, "Using Forensic Science to Teach Method Development in the Undergraduate Analytical Lab ", Anal

Bioanal Chem 2013, 405, 5623–5626.

3. K.A. Frederick, “The Joys and Pitfalls of Collaboration in the Research Process”, in How to Get Started in Research

ed. M. Schuh, Council on Undergraduate Research, Washington, DC, 2013, 54-57

In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years?

(limit 200 words): In my capacity as a CUR councilor, I currently chair the Program Review Committee and have

facilitated several of the CUR institutes including Beginning a Research Program in the Natural Sciences at a PUI and

Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research. In that capacity, I have mentored nearly a hundred faculty through the

process of establishing their research programs and submitting their first proposals and manuscripts.

I coordinate the mentoring service for the Chemistry Division which matches faculty at any stage of their careers with

successful mentors. I have also organized and participated in multiple sessions on best practices in undergraduate

research at PittCon and other analytical chemistry meetings.

At Skidmore, I have helped to establish vibrant culture of undergraduate research in my department. I also help

coordinate our summer collaborative research program and advocate for undergraduate research in the strategic

planning process. In the last five years, I have also mentored over 20 students in my research lab and every one of

them has either presented their work at a national meeting or been a co-author on a paper.

Page 8: Chemistry Division - Learning Through Research · Increase Student Learning Using Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry" (SG-01-065). Principle Investigator: Holly M. Bevsek

Chemistry Division

CUR has articulated five “strategic pillars” (listed below) to guide its work in the coming years. Describe

how your experience/knowledge could be of value to the mission of the Council broadly. (limit 250 words):

My experience and background can contribute to 4 of the 5 pillars:

1. Integrating and Building Undergraduate Research into Curriculum and Coursework: I have been leading an effort in

my department over the last 3 years to incorporate undergraduate research across all of our upper-division courses.

We have recently applied for NSF support to assess the impact of this work on student learning , engagement and

persistence. We are working to understand the common features across the sub-disciplines of chemistry in order

determine a set of best practices for others interested in using their upper level lab courses to advance their research.

2. Assessment of the Impact of Undergraduate Research—Our institution has been assessing our summer

undergraduate research program using the SURE survey from David Lopatto at Grinnell College. We have learned a

number of lessons from this effort.

3. Diversity and Inclusion in Undergraduate Research—My extensive expertise in mentoring easily supports the faculty

development aspects of this pillar. In addition, my department as instituted several initiatives in engaged pedagogy

which has increased the persistence of students from underrepresented minorities in our department. We are in the

process of disseminating that work at this time.

4. Innovation and Collaboration in Undergraduate Research—At several points, I have had very productive research

collaborations with labs at large, research universities and at national labs with support from several funding

mechanisms. I used that information to experience to inform a chapter I wrote for a CUR publication (see above) and a

talk.

Page 9: Chemistry Division - Learning Through Research · Increase Student Learning Using Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry" (SG-01-065). Principle Investigator: Holly M. Bevsek

Chemistry Division

Nominee: Dr. Rebecca M. Jones

Institution: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Title: Faculty

Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): I am the Assistant Director of the Office of

Student Scholarship Creative Activities and Research at George Mason University . Among other duties, I administrate

two internal grants supporting undergraduate research. I am an affiliate faculty member in the Department of

Chemistry, regularly teaching General Chemistry for Engineers and mentoring students.

Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): I was Senior Personnel on a

successful NSF-MRI grant ($196,277.00) and received nine internal research grants (totaling $58,700) at Austin Peay

State University (APSU).

I was co-Principle Investigator for a NSF-sponsored cCWCS (Chemistry Collaborations, Workshops & Communities

of Scholars) grant “Implementing iPads in the Chemistry Curriculum” ($15790, renewed $9500). I organized and ran

two workshops for 59 faculty in 2013.

I was selected to participate in the 2014-2016 Elon University Center for Engaged Learning Seminar on Mentoring

Undergraduate Research, which led to the formation of a multi-institutional research team.

Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*):

“Assessing Faculty Perspectives on Undergraduate Research: Implications from Studies of Two Faculties”, Rebecca

M. Jones and Shannon Davis, CUR Quarterly, Volume 34, Issue 3, 2014.

"Introducing chemical research to undergraduates: A survey course for sophomores and juniors", Chapter 7 in

Developing and Maintaining a Successful Undergraduate Research Program, Timothy W. Chapp and Mark A.

Benvenuto, Eds. ACS Symposium Series Vol. 1156, (ISBN13: 9780841229280, DOI: 10.1021/bk-2013-1156), American

Chemical Society, 2013, pp 81-90.

“Orbiting a Nucleus as a Team”, Rebecca M. Jones and Ashley S. McNeill*, Perspectives on Undergraduate Research

Mentoring, Vol 2.1, http://blogs.elon.edu/purm/files/2012/10/PURM-2.1-Jones-and-McNeill.pdf, Accessed October 16,

2014.

In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years?

(limit 200 words): While earning tenure as a chemistry faculty member at APSU, I supervised ten undergraduate

students and published one peer-reviewed manuscript with a student co-author. I created the Office of Undergraduate

Research and was appointed Director, where I secured funding for a new summer program, increased the existing

Presidential Research Scholars Program, and expanded the annual Research Forum.

After moving to Mason, I designed the Undergraduate Student Travel Fund and created the Undergraduate Research

Scholars Program (URSP), which provides $225,000 annually for undergraduate research. While running these

programs, I also chair a multi-disciplinary advisory committee of faculty, staff and students and administrate two annual

Celebrations of Student Scholarship.

For the past 5 years, I have attended every CUR National and Undergraduate Research Program Directors Meetings

and given oral and/or poster presentations at a majority. I presented a talk at the 245 th National ACS Meeting in New

Orleans, describing an introductory research course for chemistry students that I developed at APSU .

At the last two Biennial Conferences on Chemical Education, in July 2012 and August 2014, I organized symposia on

undergraduate research in chemistry. I am co-organizing a similar symposium with Bridget Gourley for the 249th

National ACS Meeting in March 2015.

Page 10: Chemistry Division - Learning Through Research · Increase Student Learning Using Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry" (SG-01-065). Principle Investigator: Holly M. Bevsek

Chemistry Division

CUR has articulated five “strategic pillars” (listed below) to guide its work in the coming years. Describe

how your experience/knowledge could be of value to the mission of the Council broadly. (limit 250 words):

Since 2010, I have worked to advance research opportunities for undergraduate students. My experience as a research

active chemistry faculty member at a primarily undergraduate institution and an administrative faculty at a

comprehensive research university has given me a valuable perspective that will benefit my peers in CUR.

The development of a research-rich curriculum is a sustaining model for higher education. In my position at George

Mason University, I have worked with select faculty, departments and colleges to develop courses with

research-related learning outcomes.

Assessment and inclusion have been integral to the programs I administrate at Mason, which attract students of all

majors and ranks. The diverse Mason student population regularly informs my programmatic choices and participation

has been expanding. Using assessment data, I am writing an article summarizing the program outcomes to date.

To elucidate the research mentor’s role, I collaborated with Shannon Davis to assess undergraduate research student

experience and perspectives. We are currently evaluating survey and focus group data collected from the past four

semesters at Mason. Formed after the Elon Seminar this July, the new multi-institutional collaboration will be a valuable

network for expanding our work at Mason. This research on mentoring will yield a deeper understanding of the relevant

variables and generate ideas on how to expand participation amongst the faculty.

My experience and interests are complimentary to the CUR Strategic Pillars. Thank you for considering my

qualifications and potential to contribute to the Council on Undergraduate Research and the Division of Chemistry.

Page 11: Chemistry Division - Learning Through Research · Increase Student Learning Using Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry" (SG-01-065). Principle Investigator: Holly M. Bevsek

Chemistry Division

Nominee: Dr. Sunghee Lee

Institution: Iona College Chemistry, New Rochelle, NY

Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): Board of Trustees Endowed Professor in

Science, Professor of Chemistry and Chair

Coordinator of Iona Student Scholars Program

Director of the Careers in Science Program

Coordinator of the Teaching-Circle Program

Coordinator of the Patrick Martin Scholarship in Math and Science Program

PI of the STEP and CSTEP Program

Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): The Rising Star Award, 2013, ACS

Women Chemists Committee

The Distinguished Scientist Award, 2013, New York ACS.

NSF-MRI: Acquisition of Confocal Raman Microscope for the Enhancement of Research and Education at Iona College

(2014)

NSF-RUI: Microdroplet Interface Chemistry-Fundamental Studies of Self-Assembled Structures at the Liquid/Liquid

Interface (2012-2016)

NSF-RUI: Role of Surfactant in Monolayer-Directed Crystallization at the Liquid-Liquid Microdroplet Interface

(2009-2012)

NYSED: Iona College Science and Technology Entry Program (2011-2015)

The Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation: Dynamic Video Microscopy in Undergraduate Chemistry Education (2007)

ACS PRF: Fundamental Studies on the Interfacial Properties of Individual Aqueous Microdroplets in Hydrocarbons

(2006-2008)

Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*): 1.

Z.Michalak*, M.Muzzio*, P.J.Milianta*, R.Giacomini*, and S. Lee, "Effect of Monoglyceride Structure and Cholesterol

Content on Water Permeability of the Droplet Bilayer", Langmuir, 29 (51), 15919–15925, 2013.

2. Z.Michalak*, D.Fartash*, N.Haque*, and S.Lee, "Tunable Crystallization via Osmosis-Driven Transport Across a

Droplet Interface Bilayer", CrystEngComm., 14, 7865-7868, 2012.

3. Sunghee Lee and Joseph Wiener*, "Visualizing Microdroplet Fluidic Reactions One Droplet at a Time", J. Chem.

Edu., 88 (2), 151-157, 2011.

In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years?

(limit 200 words): I have strong track record of integrating undergraduate research and education. These efforts are

highlighted as media apperances: NSF "The right chemistry: NSF-funded researcher mixes mentoring and materials

science" http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=132732

• NSF RUI Grant: Support Undergraduate Research Activity ~400K.

• Undergraduate co-authors in seven Peer-reviewed article and over 100 conference presentations by

undergraduates.

• 24 undergraduate research participants (15 female) and one high-school student have graduated, with 14 students

(10 female) in postgraduate programs (MD, PhD, etc.), 5 student in MS programs, 1 student in teaching chemistry and

3 in industry. Currently there are 15 undergraduates (8 female) and 1 high-school students.

• Coordinator of Undergraduate Research Day: Established campus-wide undergraduate research, which under my

direction for the past five years has grown to encompass nearly every department in the College.

• PI for the STEP and CSTEP Program: recruiting and retaining students from underrepresented group through

educational and research activities to prepare students to be competitive in obtaining a successful career in STEM field

• Coordinator of Careers in Science Program: Provide advisement for science career including undergraduate

scholarly activities.

• Undergraduate Honors Thesis Advisor: Ten Honors Thesis have been completed and five honors thesis are

currently being advised.

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Chemistry Division

CUR has articulated five “strategic pillars” (listed below) to guide its work in the coming years. Describe

how your experience/knowledge could be of value to the mission of the Council broadly. (limit 250 words): I

have engaged a large number of undergraduate students in research and demonstrated that it is truly possible to

integrate education and research at the undergraduate level. (http://www.iona.edu/faculty/slee)

I also have a leadership role for student scholars program at my college; I design and coordinate various programs for

development of student scholarly activities across the campus including the annual Research Day and conference

participation (such as NCUR). I established a peer-mentoring program in my research laboratory which expanded to

the department level. As a coordinator of Teaching Circles, I facilitate regular gatherings of faculty members to lead

dialogues related to integrating and building undergraduate research into curriculum and coursework. In addition, as a

PI for the STEP and CSTEP program, I am actively engaged in recruiting and retaining underrepresented students

through educational and research activities to prepare students to be competitive in obtaining a successful career. It

will be my privilege as a CUR Councilor to devote my energy and experience to create new programs and provide

services to a large CUR community to advocate the significance of undergraduate research. My past experience and

track record in integration of undergraduate research and education will be invaluable to my membership on the CUR

Council. I am fully committed to continue establishing a balanced combination of research and education of a large

number of students at predominantly undergraduate institutions and wish to bring my enthusiasm and motivation to the

wider academy to replicate this success.

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Nominee: Dr. Anderson L. Marsh

Institution: Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA

Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): Lebanon Valley College: Associate Professor of

Chemistry, Faculty Adviser to Chemistry Honor Society, Faculty and Student Policies Committee, Academic Affairs

Committee of the Board of Trustees

American Chemical Society: Division of Chemical Education Program Committee, CHED Program Co-Chair for ACS

Spring 2015 Meeting, Past Chair of Southeastern PA ACS Section

Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): 2013 – 2016, ACS Petroleum

Research Fund Type UR, “Selectivity Control in Aqueous Phenol Hydrogenation Using Palladium Nanocatalysts ,”

$65,000

2008 – 2010, Research Corporation Cottrell College Science Award, “Elementary Photoreactions for the Synthesis of

Amino Acids on a Model Interstellar Surface,” $44,820

2007 – 2010, National Science Foundation Research in Undergraduate Institutions, “Selectivity Control in Ketone

Hydrogenation on Nanoscale Platinum Catalysts,” $144,600

Thomas Rhys Vickroy Distinguished Teaching Award, Lebanon Valley College

E. Emmet Reid Award in Chemistry Teaching at Small Colleges, ACS Middle Atlantic Region

ten peer-reviewed publications and over sixty conference presentations

twelve students entered Ph.D. programs upon graduation

Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*):

Weilnau, J. N.*; Black, S. E.*; Chehata, V. J.*; Schmidt, M. P.*; Holt, K. L.*; Carl, L. M.*; Straka, C. J.*; Marsh, A. L.;

Patton, W. A.; Lappas, C. M. ZnS Nanocrystal Cytotoxicity Is Influenced by Capping Agent Chemical Structure and

Duration of Time in Suspension. J. Appl. Toxicol. 2013, 33, 227–237.

Musselwhite, N. E.*; Wagner, S. B.*; Manbeck, K. A.*; Carl, L. M.*; Gross, K. M.*; Marsh, A. L. Activity and Selectivity of

Colloidal Platinum Nanocatalysts for Aqueous Phase Cyclohexenone Hydrogenation . Appl. Catal., A 2011, 402,

104–109.

Porambo, M. W.*; Howard, H. R.*; Marsh, A. L. Dopant Effects on the Photocatalytic Activity of Colloidal Zinc Sulfide

Semiconductor Nanocrystals for the Oxidation of 2-Chlorophenol. J. Phys. Chem. C 2010, 114, 1580–1585.

In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years?

(limit 200 words): Over the last five years, I have collaborated with a total of fourteen undergraduate students during

our annual summer research sessions that average eight to ten weeks. Many of these students returned for

subsequent summers and have also carried out research during the academic year as independent studies. I have

also guided nine students through the senior capstone course for our ACS-certified degree. Furthermore, in recent

years I have shared administrative responsibility for this course in terms of reviewing and grading all student research

proposals and theses, as well as organizing departmental seminars each semester of student speakers and outside

speakers from Ph.D. programs, local businesses, and government agencies. In addition to these departmental

presentations, our research activities have resulted in eight peer-reviewed publications and thirty conference

presentations at regional and national scientific meetings by myself and my undergraduate co-authors, with two

students winning awards for their poster presentations. Finally, six of the students I have mentored in research over

the last five years have entered Ph.D. programs in chemistry.

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Chemistry Division

CUR has articulated five “strategic pillars” (listed below) to guide its work in the coming years. Describe

how your experience/knowledge could be of value to the mission of the Council broadly. (limit 250 words):

While serving as a CUR councilor, I would use my experiences, those as both a faculty member and an undergraduate

student, to inform my decision making when addressing issues related to undergraduate research. At Lebanon Valley,

I have worked to integrated research experiences into courses, from designing a first year lab experience, similar to my

own as a student, which simulates an individual research project, culminating each semester with the presentation of a

poster on the project. As one of the faculty running the senior capstone course for our ACS-certified degree, I have

helped to shape the experience for the students to resemble a year-long research project which includes a proposal,

student seminars, and a final report. These two experiences are bridged by summer and academic year independent

projects carried out by students under the supervision of individual faculty. In addition, I have been proactive in seeking

industrial internships for my research students when appropriate. With all of these experiences I have been sensitive

to increasing the participation of a wide audience of students, as well as tailoring the experiences to meet the needs of

diverse learners, such as non-traditional students. Moreover, within my department I have also been involved in

assessing various aspects of these experiences to improve both student learning outcomes and our program. As a

CUR councilor, I would work to create opportunities at workshops and conferences for faculty to explore integrating

research based learning into their curricula to meet the needs of a variety of students.

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Nominee: Dr. Chavonda Mills

Institution: Georgia College & State University Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy, Milledgeville, GA

Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): Georgia College

Department of Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy

2014 - Present, Kaolin Endowed Chair of Science

2012 - Present, Chemistry Program Coordinator

2011 - Present, Associate Professor of Chemistry

2006 – 2011, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): 2013-2014 “Promoting and

Sustaining a Culture of Undergraduate Research among Chemistry Majors”, Undergraduate Research and Creative

Endeavors Grant, Georgia College, $7,500.00.

2013, "Utilizing SDS-PAGE in a Research-Based Undergraduate Biochemistry Lab", National Science Foundation

cCWCS grant, $2,000.00.

Co-Facilitator, NSF Division of Undergraduate Education Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement program,

cCWCS. Using the Climate Debate to Revitalize General Chemistry, two-day miniworkshop, Charlotte, NC, June

12-June 15, 2014.

Mills, C.; Mateeva, N.; Redda, K.K., “Synthetic Flavonoids and Pharmaceutical Compositions and the Therapeutic

Methods of Treatment of HIV Infection and Other Pathologies”, Issued: November 20, 2012; Patent Number 8314143.

Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*):

Metzker, Julia; Mills, Chavonda; Richards, Rosalie. Sustaining a Culture of Undergraduate Research through Robust

Faculty Evaluation Processes. CUR Quarterly, in press Spring 2015.

Mills, Chavonda; Metzker, Julia; Richards, Rosalie. Undergraduate Research as Pedagogy: Promoting and Sustaining

a Culture of Undergraduate Research among Chemistry Majors. In Potts, G. ed., Addressing the Millennial Student:

New Pedagogy and Approaches to Improve Student Learning Outcomes in Undergraduate Chemistry ; ACS Books, in

press 2015.

Kranzlein, A.*, Newman, O.*, Mills, C. J., Design and synthesis of novel flavonoid derivatives as acetylcholinesterase

inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. 247th ACS National Meeting and Exposition, American Chemical

Society, Houston, Texas, March 2014.

In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years?

(limit 200 words): Over the past five years, I mentored nineteen undergraduate research (UR) students and facilitated

over 30 UR oral or poster presentations at professional scientific conferences. Furthermore, as a testament to my UR

mentoring, I was the recipient of the 2013 Georgia College UR Mentor award. In 2013, I was the PI on our chemistry

program’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (URaCE) grant: Promoting and Sustaining a Culture of

Undergraduate Research among Chemistry Majors. The grant proposal was awarded $7,500.00 and the project aimed

to address concerns about our UR program by initiating a comprehensive study of our students and faculty. To keep

myself abreast of developments in UR, I actively participate in research conferences and professional development

workshops on a regular basis. For example, I've served as an invited symposium panelist during our university UR

Symposium for the past two years. As an attendee at the 2013 CUR Dialogues in Washington, DC, I was able to

gather information about grant opportunities in research and education and receive instruction on the development of

grant proposal writing skills. The skills gained from the workshop attendance allowed for the successful submission

and funding of two grants, NSF cCWCS and Georgia College URaCE grants.

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Chemistry Division

CUR has articulated five “strategic pillars” (listed below) to guide its work in the coming years. Describe

how your experience/knowledge could be of value to the mission of the Council broadly. (limit 250 words): I

have extensive experience in the design, implementation, and assessment of models focused on building and

sustaining a culture of undergraduate research (UR). As principal investigator of a UR project, I led a collaborative

team of STEM faculty members in the development of a comprehensive study of student attitudes towards participating

in research early in their undergraduate career. The project objectives spanned two academic years culminating with a

strategic plan for sustaining the chemistry UR program. In the role of chemistry program coordinator, I led the revision

of our program goals to focus on the incorporation of high- impact pedagogy and innovations in teaching in an effort to

engage and support students in the practice of UR. The program now offers a variety of courses which integrate UR as

well as a myriad of extracurricular activities that support student success through UR. Furthermore, I led the

development of an evaluation rubric aligned with the revised program goals which allows for the assessment of the

impact of UR on student performance and faculty success. The aforementioned models designed and implemented

under my leadership provide a clear roadmap for a robust UR program and are easily transferable to other institutions

and disciplines. As the Kaolin Endowed Chair of Science, I've formed collaborations with university and community

organizations to offer courses, teacher professional development institutes, curriculum development, research

experiences, scientific competitions, science and math camps and community events, all of which attract a diverse

group of participants, particularly from underrepresented groups within the community.

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Nominee: Dr. Hector Palencia

Institution: University of Nebraska at Kearney Chemistry, Kearney, NE

Title: Associate Professor

Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): Affiliation: University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Noteworthy positions:

Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry/ BSU 2006-2009.

Treasurer, Nebraska ACS Local section.

Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): I am actively involved seeking

external funding. Research Corporation funded my first grant. This grant allowed me to purchase an equipment

essential for research in my group. Catalysts supported on nanoparticles is another area of interest in my group, we

needed an electronic microscope. I and other faculty wrote a proposal which was funded by the State of Nebraska

through “Nebraska Research Initiative” to purchase the instrument. I also had participated as a reviewer in panels for

National Science Foundation.

Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*): 1.

“Investigation of desilylation in the recognition mechanism to fluoride by a 1,8-naphthalimide derivative”, Jeeun Woo*,

Gunwoo Kim*, Kevanie Quintero*, Michael P. Hanrahan*, Hector Palencia and Haishi Cao Org. Biomol.Chem., 2014,

12, 8275- 8279.

2. “Room temperature synthesis of glycerol carbonate catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes without solvent”, Bitni H.

Hervert*, Patrick D. McCarthy*, Hector Palencia. Tet. Lett., 2014, 55, 133–136.

3. “An N-heterocyclic carbene-palladium-η3-allyl chloride complex for the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of aryl

halides”, Noland W. Broekemier*, Noah C. Broekemier*, Hector Palencia, Randall T. Short*. European Journal of

Chemistry, 2014, 5(1), 162-166. DOI: 10.5155/eurjchem.5.1.162-166.940.

In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years?

(limit 200 words): My group has an average number of 5 students during the academic year and two during the

summer. I assign a project to each of my students. I take them to Regional or National meetings where they present

their research. They also present it in our campus during the student research day. One of my students have also

presented at Posters on the Hill. I look for funding for my students, either from internal and external sources. As a

member of the local ACS section I had promoted the support of our section for undergraduate research in the state . I

have been recruiting freshman students in the last 5 years and also involving underrepresented students. The research

experience had a positive impact in their careers. Most of them are at professional programs of health science.

CUR has articulated five “strategic pillars” (listed below) to guide its work in the coming years. Describe

how your experience/knowledge could be of value to the mission of the Council broadly. (limit 250 words):

We live a time where creativity is key for the success of undergraduate research . Creativity helps us to maximize

results with our resources enhancing the undergraduate research experience. I work with underrepresented students

in my lab and even with High School Students. I keep collaborations with other faculty in other campus and participate

in the design of policies to support undergraduates through our ACS local section . I am working in the design of a

course about the chemistry of biofuels from natural resources, which will use the experience I gather from my lab to

bring it into the undergraduate curricula. I had also working with Nebraska Soybean board, a non-profit organization. My

experience can be useful to the CUR strategic pillars in the areas of “Diversity and Inclusion in Undergraduate

Research” by finding ways to reach and involve underrepresented faculty and institutions for example through

workshops, collaborations, contact them and help them to apply for funding, organize their labs. My experience can be

also useful in the area of “Innovation and Collaboration in Undergraduate Research” by bringing my experience in

collaborations. Being born in another country where international collaborations are critical give me experience about

building bridges with other institutions abroad; this experience can be useful in “Internationalization and Undergraduate

Research”.

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Nominee: Joseph J Reczek

Institution: Denison University, Granville, OH

Title: Associate Professor

Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): Associate Prof., Denison University, Granville,

OH.

Academic Affairs Council, 2011-2013 (vice chair, 2013)

Organizer of summer research colloquia, Chemistry, 2010-present

STEM advisory Council, The Works Museum, Newark, OH.

Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): National Science Foundation,

"RUI: Developing Organic Photoconductive Materials through Modular Design of Self-Assembling Components"

$200,000, 8/12 - 7/15.

Petroleum Research Fund, "Aromatic donor-acceptor organocatalysis: noncovalent activation of aryl halides in green

palladium cross-coupling reactions" $65,000, 1/13 - 8/16

Special Grant Program in the Chemical Sciences, The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, “Inspiring the Future: A

Cooperative Approach to Increasing Regional Education, Exploration, and Opportunities with the Chemistry of Energy”

$34,000, 6/11 – 6/13.

Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*): 1.

Thompson, A.*; Grimm, H.*; McKnight, K.*; Reczek, J. J. “Efficient microwave assisted synthesis of key

core-substituted naphthalene diimide intermediates” Submitted

2. Leight, Katie R.*; Esarey, Brooke E.*; Gray Be, A.*; Murray, Alex E.*; Reczek, Joseph J. “Modular and Predictable

Tuning of Absorption Properties in Aromatic Donor-Acceptor Materials” Chem. of Mater. 2012, 24, 3318-3328.

3. Reczek, Joseph J.; Kennedy, Aimee A.*; Halbert, Brian T.*; Urbach, Adam R. “Multivalent Recognition of Peptides by

Modular Self-Assembled Receptors” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2009, 131, 2408-2415.

In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years?

(limit 200 words): Over the past five years, I have continually maintained a research group of 4-8 undergraduates, both

during semesters for credit and full-time during the summers. In total, I have mentored over 20 researchers in that

time. I have driven department efforts to recruit students early in their college careers ; over 60% of my students are

recruited as sophomores, and the vast majority continue in research throughout their college career. I work at creating

a positive and inclusive research culture in the department, including organizing weekly summer research lunches,

summer colloquium, and a research trip, as well as participating in ‘science game nights’ over the summer . The vast

majority of my students present posters at national scientific meetings, and I have been working with our career office

on programing for students to take advantage of networking opportunities there.

I have also worked with students on attaining REU and other research experiences, awards such as the UNCF/Merck

Undergraduate Science Research scholar, and have been the advisor on three Fulbright Science Scholarships for

students to do research in Germany, The Netherlands, and France.

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CUR has articulated five “strategic pillars” (listed below) to guide its work in the coming years. Describe

how your experience/knowledge could be of value to the mission of the Council broadly. (limit 250 words): In

addition to development of inquiry-based learning labs for Denison’s curriculum, my courses incorporate student-driven

research components. In introductory classes students develop thesis questions on a topic of their choosing, and then

research how those questions can be investigated, and why they should be investigated. In upper level classes

students develop formal research proposals, with the charge of designing and carrying out initial experiments to get

‘preliminary results’ for under $150. I have been thrilled with the personal buy-in that this has generated in students,

and with this model in mind our department has lobbied for increased funding of these labs. I am interested in working

to develop resources that support successful integration of student-driven research at various levels in the Chemistry

curriculum.

Early curriculum research experience is also an excellent way to identify and proactively engage students with a spark

for research. This can be effective for engaging traditionally underrepresented students early on , many of who are less

prepared, but not less creative or excited about science. I have recruited three such students to my own research

group through this, and I strongly believe in enhanced persistence of underrepresented individuals through early and

proactive engagement in research with faculty.

I am engaged in collaborations at Penn State and Michigan, made possible through conference interactions. CUR can

play an exciting role in fostering meetings of undergraduate researchers, not just students. In particular I see

opportunities to invigorate and aid mid-career faculty to stay engaged after the tenure push.

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Nominee: Dr. Silvia Ronco

Institution: Research Corporation, Tucson, AZ

Title: Program Officer

Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): I am currently a Program Director for Research

Corporation for Science Advancement where I direct the Cottrell College and Cottrell Scholar programs . Both programs

emphasize the importance of undergraduate research and are aimed at helping early career faculty in chemistry,

Physics and Astronomy establish their research programs.

Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): As Program Director for a private

foundation, I am in the business of giving grants. However, I was recently a co-PI of an NSF grant, “Scialog: A Program

of Scientific Research and Dialog”, 2011, $100,000. In my role as a program director for the Cottrell Scholar program, I

have served as the chair of our annual Cottrell Scholar Conference (2011-current) and have helped launch the Cottrell

Scholar Collaborative, a network of young Chemistry faculty who work together in topics relevant to undergraduate

education (including undergraduate research) and the New Faculty Workshop for Chemists (co-sponsored by the

American Chemical Society).

Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*): 1.

“Facilitating 21st Century Science,” Panel Member, ACS Postdoc to Faculty Workshop, ACS National Meeting, San

Francisco, August 8, 2014.

2. “Writing Competitive Research Proposals,” Ronco, S., Getting Started in Undergraduate Research, Merle Schuh

ed., Council on Undergraduate Research, Washington DC, (2012), book chapter.

3. “Creating Future Science: The Role of Private Foundations in Shaping Research Activities at PUIs,” Ronco, S.,

Transformative Research at Predominately Undergraduate Institutions, Kerry Karukstis and Nancy Hensel ed., Council

on Undergraduate Research (2010), book chapter.

In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years?

(limit 200 words): My daily job is intimately related with generating opportunities for undergraduate research activities.

Both Cottrell College and Cottrell Scholar programs have strong undergraduate research components and offer

financial support for undergraduate researchers. In addition, I have advocated for undergraduate research opportunities

as a current Councilor for both the American Chemical Society Division of Inorganic Chemistry and the CUR Chemistry

Division. I have also served a term as the Chair of the Chemistry Division and member of the EBoard ( 2011-2013). I

also served as a member and chair of the Characteristics of Excellence in Undergraduate Research (COEUR) Task

Force and I am currently serving a term as elected EBoard General Representative. I have been a regular presenter at

the CUR Dialogues meetings, the CUR/YCC workshop for new faculty starting careers at primarily undergraduate

institutions and I was a presenter at the 2014 ACS Postdoc to Faculty Workshop – among many other presentations

and activities.

CUR has articulated five “strategic pillars” (listed below) to guide its work in the coming years. Describe

how your experience/knowledge could be of value to the mission of the Council broadly. (limit 250 words): I

have gained extensive expertise in topics related to higher education and scientific research from my positions as a

Professor of Chemistry, a Program Director at a private foundation and as a member of the governance of two

professional organizations, CUR and the American Chemical Society. In my RCSA position, I have worked directly and

networked extensively in topics intimately related with integrating research into the curriculum, diversifying the

Chemistry workforce (students and faculty), promoting better ways of assessing teaching and learning, and developing

programs that catalyze innovation and collaborations globally. My extensive expertise together with my deep knowledge

of the PUI and the R1 Chemistry community makes me an ideal candidate to continue serving CUR as a Chemistry

councilor.

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Nominee: Prof. Jennifer Swift

Institution: Georgetown University Chemistry, Washington, DC

Title: Associate Professor

Institutional affiliation and noteworthy positions (limit 50 words): Georgetown Univ, Assistant Prof 1999-2005,

Associate Prof 2005-

Co-director - NSF-REU program, 2006-

Member - US National Committee for Crystallography, 2006-2011

Faculty in Residence - Georgetown Villa le Balze (Italy), 2011

College Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2005

Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, 2004

NSF CAREER Award, 2001

Noteworthy grants received/professional accomplishments: (limit 100 words): NSF-DMR (1306247) “Doping

Molecular Hydrates” $420,000 (6/1/13 - 5/31/16)

DTRA “Template-Directed Crystallization of High Energy Materials” $635,544 (12/07-5/13)

NSF-CHE (0809684) “Growth & Transformation of Uric Acid Crystal Phases” $335,100 (9/08 -8/12)

NSF-CHE (1429079) “MRI: Acquisition of an Integrated Raman Microscope” $196,444 (8/1/14-7/31/17) role: PI

NSF-DMR (0923316) “MRI: Acquisition of Light Scattering Instrumentation for Nanoparticle Characterization” $108,596

(9/09-9/13) role: Co-PI.

NSF-CHE (1156788) “REU Site: Chemistry Research at Georgetown University” $300,000 (9/15/12- 9/14/15) Prior

awards: (CHE 0851581) 5/09-4/12; (CHE 0552586) 05/06-05/09 role: Co-PI.

The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, “Georgetown Beckman Scholars Research Program” $115,800

(3/08-3/11) role: Co-PI.

Relevant publications or presentations (limit 3)Highlight any undergraduate co-authors with an asterisk (*):

Janeth B. Presores, Katherine E. Cromer*, Christina Capacci-Daniel and Jennifer A. Swift, “Calcium Urate

Hexahydrate,” Crystal Growth & Design, 13 (12), 5162-5164 (2013).

Clare M. Perrin, Mark A. Dobish*, Edward Van Keuren, and Jennifer A. Swift, “Monosodium Urate Monohydrate

Crystallization,” CrystEngComm, 13 (4), 1111 – 1117 (2011).

Amanuel Z. Zellelow, Kristin A. Cox*, Dorothy A. Fink*, Catherine E. Ford*, Kun-Hae Kim*, Ryan E. Sours and Jennifer

A. Swift, “Doping Uric Acid Crystals. 2. Anhydrous Uric Acid,” Crystal Growth & Design, 10 (8), 3348-3354 (2010).

In what professional activities related to undergraduate research have you engaged over the last five years?

(limit 200 words): In my 15 years at Georgetown, I have mentored 39 undergraduate research students, 15 in the past

5 years. Most of these students worked in the lab for multiple semesters and/or including a summer. Many have

presented posters at national meetings and co-authored papers.

Undergraduates perform research at a very high level in my lab. The majority of undergraduates over the past 5 years

have gone on to MD programs. However, recent lab alumni currently include an IRTA Postbaccalaurate researcher at

NIH, a Fulbright Fellow who is teaching /researching in Taiwan, and students in MS Biochemistry, MS Chemical

Engineering, PhD Chemistry, PhD Biochemistry programs.

I have also co-directed (with Sarah Stoll) our Chemistry REU program since 2006. This program has to date involved

72 researchers from other colleges and universities. The early years of this program were intensive and required

developing professional development workshop materials, recruiting research mentors, etc. We regularly receive

200-250 applications a year. From the very beginning, we made it a priority to recruit first-generation students (and this

was back before anyone was talking about that population). Our record for including minorities is also excellent.

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CUR has articulated five “strategic pillars” (listed below) to guide its work in the coming years. Describe

how your experience/knowledge could be of value to the mission of the Council broadly. (limit 250 words): I

recognize that members of the CUR council are typically from PUIs. My understanding is that there was some interest

in expanding the base of faculty to include those who attempt to balance graduate and undergraduate missions.

Of the five pillars, my biggest interest is in diversity and inclusion, which I think is strongly coupled to innovation and

collaboration between institutions. The financial constraints of acquiring and maintaining specialized equipment and

the nature of the scientific questions being asked require this kind of thinking, both at R1 and PUI institutions alike. For

example, I believe the REU program would be a much more powerful agent for building research capacity if we could

find a way to give students particular research skills that would be specifically beneficial to their home institution. This

has worked in a few cases for us, but I suspect more could be done. This is just one way to help facilitate new

partnerships between institutions.

As a mid-career person, I also have a very strong desire to help mentor younger faculty. I had the benefit of some very

good mentors outside of Georgetown who helped me in my early years as an assistant professor. On a personal level,

I am keen to engage in conversations with faculty from different types of institutions to hear about their joys and

frustrations as I try to better define for myself what the next phase of my career should look like.