Hemp Recognized for Graduate Research

(Feb 7, 2012) Sean Hemp, a graduate student in the Long Group, has been recognized by the ACS Polymer Division for "Excellence in Graduate Polymer Research."  He will present an oral lecture on "Phosphonium-containing Polyelectrolytes for Nonviral Gene Delivery" at the upcoming Spring ACS meeting in San Diego, CA.

Morris Article on Cover of the Journal of Physical Chemistry

(Jan 09, 2012) Prof. John R. Morris and his former graduate student, Jessica Lu, have investigated reactions of ozone with an organic surface (a vinyl-terminated self-assembled monolayer). Their recent work has been featured on the cover of the Journal of Physical Chemistry C.  This fundamental study, conducted with collaborator Prof. Richard D. Gandour and members of the Morris research group, used a series of molecular beam scattering experiments to provide insights into the fate of ozone in the environment.

Crawford Elected as ACS Division Officer

(December 16, 2011)  Prof. Daniel Crawford has been elected to a five-year term as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Physical Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society (PHYS).  He succeeds Prof. Anne McCoy of the Ohio State University, who has served the division since 2006.  The division has approximately 6,000 members worldwide.

Wilmsmeyer Receives Best Presentation Award

(November 28, 2011)  Amanda Wilmsmeyer, a 5th year graduate student in the John Morris Group, was recently honored with a “Best Presentation Award” at the 2011 Chemical and Biological Defense Science and Technology Conference in Las Vegas, which showcased new and dynamic developments in basic and applied research within the chemical and biological defense landscape.  Amanda discussed the adsorption, diffusion, and desorption of chemical warfare agent simulants from amorphous silica.

Madsen Research Featured in Nature Materials

(November 28, 2011) As highlighted in the 19 June 2011 “News and Views” segment of Nature Materials, Prof. Louis A. Madsen’s group has uncovered new aspects of the flow and filtering of water or ions in polymer membranes. This fundamental study, conducted with collaborator Prof. Robert B. Moore, has implications for a number of industrial applications that involve molecular filtering, such as fuel cells, water desalination membranes, and even the production of artificial muscles for robots.

Troya Wins Age Group at MU Marathon

(November 08, 2011) Prof. Diego Troya competed in the 2011 Marshall University Marathon in Huntington, WV, winning his age group (35-39) and placing 12th overall in a field of over 400 finishers, with a time of 3:07:40.

Morris Selected for NAS Kavli Symposium

(Nov 02, 2011) Prof. John R. Morris has been selected to attend the 2011 Kavli Frontiers of Science symposium to be hosted by the National Academy of Sciences in November, 2011.  The symposium, which is the Academy's premier activity for distinguished young scientists, provides and overview of wide-ranging disciplines and opportunities for emerging leaders to build a network with colleagues.  (more ...) 

Brewer Article on Chem. Comm. Cover

(October 21, 2011) Prof. Karen J. Brewer’s recent work with photodynamic anti-cancer drugs was featured on the inside cover of the September 21 issue of Chemical Communications.  Brewer identified a supramolecule that can be activated by light during therapeutic treatments, which once activated binds to DNA and inhibits further cell replication.  This discovery is important for developing drugs for diseases such as cancer, which can be treated by impeding cell replication.  This finding also has implications for reducing the toxic side effects of certain cancer drugs.   (More on Brewer...)

STEM Faculty to Continue STEP

(October 14, 2011)  Prof. Gary L. Long, together with four colleagues in allied units (Jill C. Sible and Deborah S. Wilson of COS, Bevlee A. Watford of COE, and Kathryne D. McConnell of OAA), have received a grant totalling $1.56 million to continue the Student Transition Engineering Program (STEP) at Virginia Tech.  STEP aims to increase the number and diversity of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) graduates through retention strategies emphasizing academic success and engagement with the scientific process and community.  (more on Long ...)

Deck Receives ACS Service Award

(October 3, 2011) Prof. Paul A. Deck has been selected as the 2011 recipient of the E. Ann Nalley Award for Volunteer Service to the Southeast Region of the ACS.   The award, which will be formally presented at the SERMACS 2011 Award Banquet on October 27 in Richmond, VA, recognizes the volunteer efforts of individuals who have contributed significantly to the goals and objectives of the American Chemical Society through their regional activities..  (more...)

Carlier to Work on Malaria Control

(September 21, 2011)  The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health has awarded $450,655 to Prof. Paul R. Carlier, a leader in organic and medicinal chemistry and a member of the Vector-Borne Disease Research Group at VT, to develop an entirely new strategy to kill the mosquito that transmits the malaria parasite. Carlier will collaborate with Prof. Jeffrey Bloomquist at the University of Florida as part of a larger three-year, $1.4 million effort to develop a new class of insecticides that will interfere with the mosquito's nerve signal mechanisms, thus preventing it from flying—and therefore biting, which is how the disease is transmitted.  (More...) 

Faculty Positions

Two Instructor positions are available in Chemistry.  Click here for details.

Two tenure-track positions are available in macromolecular science.  Click here for details.

Tenure-track positions for the College of Science’s recently launched Integrated Science Curriculum are available. Click here for details. 

Highlands Seminars

Friday, February 17
Devon Shipp
Clarkson University

Friday, February 24
Mitch Winnik
University of Toronto

Complete Highlands Schedule

Prospective Students

• Chemistry MS / PhD
• Chemistry BA / BS
• Interdisciplinary MS / PhD

Informational Video

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