Chemistry News

2020
- Welcoming New Faculty to the College of Arts and Sciences
  
  December 07, 2020
  Meet the new faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, and please join us in offering them a warm welcome to our community!
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- Chemistry Laboratory Specialist Helps Department Go Virtual
  
  September 28, 2020
  Drexel University’s Department of Chemistry maintains high-tech instrumentation facilities and laboratories to support the research enterprises of faculty and students. The department’s laboratory specialist, Alan Shaffer, is integral to the success of those enterprises — particularly in the challenging shift to remote teaching and learning. We spoke with Shaffer to learn more about the function of his role in the chemistry department.
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- ChemGSA Presidents Past and Future Reflect on Chemistry Journey
  
  September 28, 2020
  We caught up with two presidents of the Chemistry Department Graduate Student Association (ChemGSA) — outgoing president DJ Hall, and new president Jerica Wilson — to get their views on chemistry, ChemGSA and their futures.
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- CoAS Shines at Annual Celebration of Drexel Authors
  
  July 22, 2020
  In June, Drexel University gathered virtually to recognize over 100 accomplished authors and editors in its eighth-annual Celebrating Drexel Authors event. Members of the College of Arts and Sciences featured prominently in the event, including professors, graduate students and alumni from across several departments.
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- CoAS Creates New Role: Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  
  July 22, 2020
  The College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce that it will appoint an internal candidate to the new role of Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, with an expected start date of September 1, 2020. This new position will report directly to the Dean and become a member of the Dean’s Leadership Team, a group comprising Department Heads, Associate Deans and Directors.
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- Five CoAS Faculty Tapped for Inaugural Drexel Teaching Academy
  
  May 05, 2020
  Five faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences are participating in the Teaching and Learning Center’s first Drexel Teaching Academy, a 10-week program designed to develop pedagogical experts across the University and foster an interdisciplinary community among faculty who already hold this expertise.
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- Co-Op 100 Spotlight: Prairie Yang
  
  April 29, 2020
  
  For 100 years, Drexel has equipped students for the real world through our renowned cooperative education program, also known as Co-op. Drexel’s Co-op program provides students with up to 18 months of real-world work experience with industry leaders. This allows students to test-drive careers and see firsthand how the knowledge they've gained in the classroom can be applied in the field, while building an impressive résumé before graduation.
  
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- Faculty Spotlight: Chemistry Prof Lee Hoffman, PhD
  
  April 29, 2020
  Lee Hoffman, PhD, is an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Chemistry at Drexel University. He is heavily involved with the general chemistry course sequence for both chemistry and non-chemistry science majors, including students from the Honors College, as well as with coordination and instruction of CHEM 425 (inorganic chem lab for graduating chemistry majors).
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- Drexel’s Science in Motion Program Helps Level the Playing Field
  
  April 29, 2020
  Drexel University’s Science in Motion (SIM) program is an innovative, basic education/higher education partnership, funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 2000, that provides equipment and materials for high school and middle school chemistry classes.
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- CoAS Accomplishments in Brief
  
  April 03, 2020
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
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2019
- Drexel Chemistry Students Unveil East Coast’s Largest Periodic Table
  
  October 31, 2019
  In celebration of both the International Year of the Periodic Table in 2019 and National Chemistry Week, students from two chemistry organizations unfurled a 100-foot-tall, 135-foot-wide handmade periodic table on Buckley Field.
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- CoAS Accomplishments in Brief
  
  October 21, 2019
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
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- Winter Courses
  
  October 18, 2019
  Explore creativity in research, the history of the Earth, globalization and more in these new and noteworthy winter courses!
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- Interdisciplinary Drexel Team Wins NSF Grant for Innovative Graduate Minor
  
  August 13, 2019
  An interdisciplinary team led by Chemistry Department Head Fraser Fleming, PhD, will use a $500K grant from the National Science Foundation to develop an innovative, interdisciplinary graduate minor.
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- CoAS Accomplishments in Brief
  
  August 13, 2019
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
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- Drexel Writing and Tutoring Centers Open in Korman
  
  July 23, 2019
  
  Drexel students now have access to a one-stop shop for academic support with Drexel’s new Writing and Tutoring Centers! In May, several of Drexel’s academic tutoring centers moved to the Korman Center, co-locating to support student academic success. Read on to learn more about these resources — and how you can take advantage of them!
  
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- ‘Hidden Treasures’ Follow-Up: Drexel Alumnus and Professor Remembers the University’s Astronomy Society
  
  June 03, 2019
  In response to a previous article about the "hidden treasure" that is the University's observatory, an alumnus and current Drexel assistant clinical professor reminisced about what it was like being the vice president of Drexel's Astronomy Society when he was a chemistry major here at Drexel before graduating in the ’70s.
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- CoAS Students Receive University-Wide Awards
  
  May 23, 2019
  We are pleased to recognize the following College of Arts and Sciences students who have received university-wide awards.
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- Drexel Researcher Studies Effects of Forest Fires on Climate and Air Quality
  
  May 23, 2019
  Ezra Wood, PhD, associate professor of chemistry, and his research group are part of a multi-year project studying the atmospheric chemistry of smoke from forest fires. Wood shares some background information and updates on the project.
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- College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Awards
  
  May 21, 2019
  The mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University could not be accomplished without the dedication and support of our faculty members. It is their pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and scholarship that reinforces our position as a modern liberal arts college, and enhances our University’s reputation as a world-class research institution.
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- CoAS Accomplishments in Brief
  
  April 01, 2019
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
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- Welcoming New Associate Deans in the College
  
  March 11, 2019
  The College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of two new associate deans in graduate education and research.
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- Oh, the Places You’ll Go: 10 CoAS Majors Share Favorite Travel Destinations
  
  March 05, 2019
  Sure, you could complete your whole degree in Philadelphia, but why not take advantage of Drexel opportunities around the globe? With gorgeous photos, insider tips and stories from international locales, 10 College of Arts and Sciences students share the best place their major has taken them.
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- Why Consider Graduate School?
  
  February 05, 2019
  When it comes to life after graduation, there are many exciting decisions to consider, from choosing where to put down roots, to applying for jobs and determining if graduate or professional school is right for you.
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- Rising Leaders: Kiana Williams
  
  January 25, 2019
  Kiana Williams has conducted research on cancer-causing enzyme misregulation, engaged patients in programming at a children’s hospital, and cared for infants with severe medical conditions. A mentor to underprivileged middle school students, Williams is a strong believer in inspiring people to work together — a motivation that underlies her goal of becoming a medical doctor.
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- CoAS Accomplishments in Brief
  
  January 03, 2019
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
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2018
- Research Update from Atmospheric Chemist Ezra Wood, PhD
  
  October 22, 2018
  In May of 2017, Ezra Wood, PhD, associate professor of chemistry, and a group of researchers deployed a large suite of analytical instrumentation to several sites in and near San Antonio, Texas. Their goal was to investigate the formation of ozone, also known as photochemical smog.
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- Winter Courses
  
  October 15, 2018
  Explore how natural disasters shape our world, changing perceptions of mental illness, and the effects of social movements on theories of democracy in these new and noteworthy winter courses.
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- CoAS Accomplishments in Brief
  
  September 24, 2018
  
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
  
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- A Creative Approach to Teaching Creativity, Interdisciplinary Teamwork for Graduate Students
  
  August 10, 2018
  
  Two Drexel University faculty members from different disciplines have come together to provide a unique opportunity for graduate students: learn how to flex their creative muscles.
  
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- Drexel President John Fry Discusses His ‘Civic Pathway’ in Community-Based Learning Class
  
  August 06, 2018
  Drexel President John Fry recently stopped by a classroom with student and community learners, as well as visiting Mandela Fellows, to discuss his views and efforts with civic engagement.
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- College of Arts and Sciences Tenure, Promotion and Awards
  
  May 22, 2018
  The mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University could not be accomplished without the dedication and support of our faculty members. It is their pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and scholarship that reinforces our position as a modern liberal arts college, and enhances our University’s reputation as a world-class research institution.
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- 'Non-Smoking' Doesn't Mean Smoke-Free — Drexel Study Finds Third-Hand Smoke Spreads Inside
  
  May 09, 2018
  Despite decades of indoor smoking bans and restrictions, new research from Drexel University suggests the toxins we’ve been trying to keep out are still finding their way into the air inside. Findings by a group of environmental engineers show that third-hand smoke, the chemical residue from cigarette smoke that attaches to anything and anyone in the vicinity of a smoke cloud, can make its way into the air and circulate through buildings where no one is smoking.
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- How a Group of Honors Students Wrote for Drexel Publications — For a Class
  
  April 25, 2018
  Last term, a class of students in the Pennoni Honors College learned about the inner workings of three different Drexel University publications — and got to contribute to them.
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- Chem Major Contributes to Drug Development at GlaxoSmithKline
  
  April 02, 2018
  Despite the widespread availability of pharmaceutical drugs, many of us know little about how they are created. Senior chemistry major Matthew Levine shares an inside view of the drug development process from his two co-ops at global pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.
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- The Little Engineer That Could
  
  March 22, 2018
  
  Mario Scotto Di Vetta is using his co-op opportunities to travel around the country and dig up some dirt on his future career opportunities.
  
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- Science for the Community
  
  March 22, 2018
  
  Drexel students join with other university students and industry professionals to help promote science among the youth of the Philadelphia area.
  
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- Meet Chemistry Prof Jeremiah Scepaniak
  
  February 01, 2018
  A self-proclaimed "scientific vagabond," Jeremiah Scepaniak, PhD, assistant professor of chemistry, joined Drexel after completing postdoctoral research in Germany, and hopes to build scientific literacy in his students.
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2017
- Chemistry Major Provides Medical Care and Nutrition in the Gambia
  
  November 08, 2017
  It was 4 a.m. when Drexel Chemistry student Victoria Smith stepped off the plane in Banjul, the capital city of the Gambia. The lights in the terminal flickered and then shut off completely. Two minutes of complete darkness passed before the generator kicked on.
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- Winter Courses
  
  November 07, 2017
  How does gender affect the formation of knowledge? How can physics bridge communities? Discuss sociological contexts of global health, modern implications of Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy and more in these new and noteworthy winter courses.
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- College of Arts and Sciences Tenure, Promotion and Awards
  
  June 26, 2017
  The mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University could not be accomplished without the dedication and support of our faculty members. It is their pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and scholarship that reinforces our position as a modern liberal arts college, and enhances our University’s reputation as a world-class research institution.
  Read More
- 25 Faces 25 Years: Ira Taffer
  
  June 06, 2017
  From the age of three, Ira Taffer knew that he wanted to be a chemist — at least, that’s how his mother tells it. What he may not have known was how big a role Drexel would play in shaping his path. He has been a student, co-op employer, Baiada Institute mentor, advisory board member, Alumni Association chair, and then, coming full circle in 2013, interim head of Drexel’s Department of Chemistry.
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- 25 Faces 25 Years: Cynthia Maryanoff
  
  May 29, 2017
  Cynthia Maryanoff, BS ’72 is an organic process chemist, recipient of 2015 Perkin Medal, inventor on 67 U.S. or European patents and a coffee-farm owner.
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- Chemistry Faculty Monica Ilies Receives Evidence Based Teaching Award in STEM
  
  May 26, 2017
  
  Monical Ilies, PhD, associate teaching professor in the Department of Chemistry has received the Evidence Based Teaching Award in STEM
  
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- Drexel Honors Outstanding Faculty Achievements at Year-End Awards
  
  May 25, 2017
  At the annual Faculty Recognition Awards Ceremony on May 24, Drexel acknowledged the faculty and staff members whose scholarship, service and teaching contribute so much to the University and its students.
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- Methane Levels Have Increased in Marcellus Shale Region Despite a Dip in Well Installation
  
  February 09, 2017
  Despite a slow down in the number of new natural gas wells in the Marcellus Shale region of Northeast Pennsylvania, new research led by Drexel University finds that atmospheric methane levels in the area are still increasing. Measurements of methane and other air pollutants taken three years apart in the rural areas of Pennsylvania that have been the target of natural gas development over the last decade, revealed a substantial increase from 2012 to 2015.
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2016
- Making a Solar Energy Conversion Breakthrough With Help From a Ferroelectrics Pioneer
  
  August 08, 2016
  Designers of solar cells may soon be setting their sights higher, as a discovery by a team of researchers has revealed a class of materials that could be better at converting sunlight into energy than those currently being used in solar arrays. Their research shows how a material can be used to extract power from a small portion of the sunlight spectrum with a conversion efficiency that is above its theoretical maximum — a value called the Shockley-Queisser limit. This finding, which could lead to more power-efficient solar cells, was seeded in a near-half-century old discovery by Russian physicist Vladimir M. Fridkin, PhD, a visiting professor of physics at Drexel University, who is also known as one of the innovators behind the photocopier.
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2015
- Drexel Researchers First to Detect Air Quality Effects of Natural Gas Extraction in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale Region
  
  May 19, 2015
  A team led by environmental engineers from Drexel University are the first independent researchers to take a closer look at the air quality effects of natural gas extraction in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania. The group used a mobile air quality monitoring vehicle to survey regional air quality and pollutant emissions at 13 sites including wells, drilling rigs, compressor stations and processing areas. Their work establishes baseline measurements for this relatively new area of extraction.
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