Robert J. Merrer

Retired, Distinguished CSU Professor Emeritus and Professor of Chemistry, Western Connecticut State University (WCSU)

BA 1965

MS 1967

Ph.D. 1970

Stock Group

I always shared this with my students – never dismiss an off-hand suggestion. On the face of it, that suggestion may not appear rich but one never knows, it may lead to unbounded opportunity

Tell us about your experience as a Chemistry student at UConn.

I was introduced to research at UConn through the NSF-REU program between junior and senior year. I was privileged to work that summer under the tutelage of John Stock. Early on in my graduate career I never thought of being a professor at the university level. My career plans were forever changed after being a TA for John Stock in Analytical Chemistry (Chem 233-234). How could anyone have had more of an influence on me than my beloved mentor and friend?

My most memorable event happened in my junior year where a flood was caused by improperly securing tubing for a soxhlet extraction. It occurred in the Instrument Room in the old Physical Science, room 241 (which was directly above the Chair’s, now flooded, office).  So memorable, so embarrassing, and so educational! My most memorable UConn influences were: John Stock, Bill Masterton, Jim Bobbitt, Ron Chriss, Joel Kupperman, Barrett Mandel, Eleanore Luckey, Christine Merrer

During graduate school I played third base on the department’s summer softball team. Bob Bohn was our star hurler. The team did very well, especially when Dr. Bohn was on the mound.

Can you tell us about your professional experiences?

Computer technology was introduced into the undergraduate curriculum in 1971. Later on, commercial laboratory information management systems (LIMS) including real-time data acquisition of chromatographic and atomic absorption data, were integrated into the undergraduate analytical and instrumental methods curriculum at WCSU. This commercial/academic cooperative effort commenced in 1983 through my year of retirement. Perkin-Elmer and particularly, Beckman Coulter were decisive in allowing our undergraduate students such experiences.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to current students?

I always shared this with my students – never dismiss an off-hand suggestion. On the face of it, that suggestion may not appear rich but one never knows, it may lead to unbounded opportunity. It has happened countless times in my career and it all started at the University of Connecticut, Department of Chemistry.