Welcome Dr. Kerry Gilmore and Dr. Stephanie Rugg to our faculty! Kerry joins us as an Assistant Professor from the Max-Planck Institute for Max for Colloids and Interfaces in Berlin, Germany, where his most recent position was Research Group Leader. He earned his PhD at the University of Florida and will continue his innovative research program in […]
Dr. Priya Pradhan and Dr. Jie He Promoted
One of the highlights in academic life are promotions in academic rank that are awarded after rigorous and lengthy review of the academic achievements by the department, the Dean, the Provost, and with the help of a number of outside reviewers. The Board of Trustees then awards the promotions based on the evaluations and recommendations […]
After 45 Years of Teaching, Professor Bailey Retires
After a 45-year successful career at UConn, Professor Bill Bailey retired at the beginning of this academic year. Alas, retiring is the wrong word: Bill merely stepped away from active teaching. He will still be found in the building (when anyone can be found in the building again). We certainly will also see continued scholarly […]
Welcome to Fall 2020
A Message from the Department Head Dear All, Welcome to a new semester! The campus and building have come alive once again. We are welcoming new faculty and graduate students to the Department, we have awards and a retirement to celebrate, and we have a large group of students eagerly lining up for general or […]
A Tale of Two Lab Courses
A recent article in ACS Publications, from Prof. Kiet Tran, Prof. Anwar Beshir, and Prof. Abhay Vaze, demonstrates a comparison of the experiences of both organic and analytical lab faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic distance learning initiative is described here. Faculty of both lab courses experienced four shared challenges in the transition to the online […]
Mercury Remains a Persistent Poison in Connecticut’s Still River
Western Connecticut is known for rolling hills, rich history, and industry, such as hat making. Once called the “Hat City of the World,” Danbury thrived. Anyone familiar with Lewis Carroll’s Mad Hatter may also be aware of the dangers of hat making, due to the industry’s use of the potent toxin mercury. Starting in the late […]
Passing of Jane Knox, Emerita Faculty
Jane received a BA degree in chemistry from Bryn Mawr College in 1961 and a Masters in Teaching (MAT) degree from Harvard University in 1962. After teaching high school chemistry in Pearl River, NY, she attended Boston University where she obtained an MA in chemistry in 1968. Accompanying her husband to Oxford University for two […]
Bird Eggshells Just Became More Colorful
For well over 100 years, only two pigments have been identified in avian eggshells: rusty-brown protoporphyrin (e.g., brown chicken eggs) and blue-green biliverdin (e.g., turquois eggs of robins). However, tinamou (chicken-like forest dwellers of South America) eggshells display unusually colored eggshells, suggesting the presence of other pigments. The Brückner Group, in collaboration with the ornithologists […]
A Day in the Life of an Analytical Scientist
In a recent podcast with OnePointe Solutions, Curtis Guild ’17 Ph.D. describes his journey in inorganic and analytical chemistry. Originally an undergraduate English major, Curtis became passionate about chemistry when he was offered a research opportunity during his sophomore year. Choosing between industry and graduate school, Curtis credits an undergraduate mentor with recommending graduate school. Ultimately, […]
Years of Service 2020
We would like to thank the following faculty for their years of service to the Department. Thank you to all who have enriched the Department over so many years and for having made this place what it is! James Rusling – 40 years Nina Stein – 40 years Amy Howell – 25 years Fotios Papadimitrakopoulos […]