2008

March 31 2008

Congratulations to Alexandra Bausch (Chemistry/Honors 2009) who was recently awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship.

2007

August 18 2007

Dr. Anthony Lagalante, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, has been awarded a Research at Undergraduate Institutions grant through the National Science Foundation.  He will receive $191,000 for three years of research to study the "Development of alternative solvent extraction methods and tandem mass spectrometric analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in automobile interior dust". Congratulations!

July 27 2007

Chemistry major Julianna Cebollero (2008), was named an American Chemical Society Scholar.  She is one of approximately 150 students chosen nationwide to receive this honor and will receive $5,000.  The Scholars program is designed to encourage African-American, Hispanic/Latino and American Indian students to pursue undergraduate college degrees in the chemical sciences and chemical technology.  Congratulations Julianna!

July 11 2007

Dr. Christine Martey-Ochola, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, was awarded $14,784 for one year of research on the effect of cigarette smoke on nitric oxide synthase in normal human lung fibroblasts and the attenuation of cell transformation with the use of antineoplastic/anti-inflammatory compounds through the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation. Congratulations!

July 1 2007

Dr. Anthony Lagalante, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, was awarded an additional $57,144 through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service.  He will be researching the persistence and metabolism of the insecticide imidacloprid in treated hemlock trees. Congratulations!

May 28 2007

Dr. Robert Giuliano, Professor of Chemistry, was awarded a $37,000 grant from Research Corporation for July 2007 – July 2009. Dr. Giuliano will be studying the synthesis and structural characterization of functionalized graphite nanofibers. Congratulations!

May 21 2007

Dr. Temer Ahmadi has been granted tenure and promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Chemistry effective August 22, 2007. Congrats!

May 17 2007

Dr. Oliver Ludwig was awarded the Philadelphia Section, American Chemical Society Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching of Chemical Science sponsored by Merck & Co. The award consists of a plaque and a monetary prize. Dr. Ludwig is the first Villanova faculty member to receive this award. We congratulate Dr. Ludwig on this fine honor!

May 10 2007

Chemistry major Christine Feldmeier (2007) was awarded the Thomas J. Mentzer Memorial Award from the Center of Peace and Justice Education at Villanova. The Mentzer award honors a Villanova graduating senior who has contributed significantly, through her volunteer service work, to expanding opportunities for the poor and underprivileged. While at Villanova, Christine participated in mission trips to Peru and South Africa, and initiated two service projects in the impoverished province of San Juan la Maguana in the Dominican Republic. Please join us in congratulating Christine for this special award.

May 4 2007

Dr. Christine Martey-Ochola and her husband Charles Ochola have become the proud parents of a son, Camayo. The Ocholas have an older son, Christian. Congrats and best wishes!

April 22 2007

Villanova Chemistry major Christine Feldmeier (2007) was inducted into the Villanova Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Congrats to Christine on receiving this great honor!

March 1 2007

Mr. Frank Calvosa, a BS/MS candidate in the Chemistry Department, will be working this summer in Dr. Kay Ho’s laboratory in Narragansett, RI. He will be monitoring toxic chemicals in the area water systems, likely concentrating on measurements of brominated compounds by GC/MS. Some sample collection will be made by canoe trip. Frank’s appointment is part of his EPA fellowship from last year.

January 10 2007

Dr. Glenn Rowland has joined the Chemistry Department as a postdoctoral fellow working in Dr. Amanda Grannas’ research lab. Dr. Rowland is a native of New Zealand, and will be conducting research and teaching part time. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Rowland to the Chemistry Department.

2006

December 11 2006

Ms. Ashley Sprenkle, a M.S. candidate in Chemistry, presented a poster at the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA. Her research advisor, Dr. Amanda Grannas, also attended the conference.

November 8 2006

30 October 2006

22 October 2006

Dr. Robert Grob, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 22nd. Dr. Grob was a faculty member in the Department from 1963-1992. He was a renowned expert on Gas Chromatography even after his retirement, actively conducting ACS short courses and publishing a new edition of his seminal text Modern Practice of Gas Chromatography. A more complete tribute to Dr. Grob can be found here.

6 October 2006

Chemistry undergraduate students Alexandra Bausch and Julianna Cebollero, and graduate students Jessica Paul and Ashley Sprenkle, along with their faculty advisor, Dr. Amanda Grannas, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, presented their research results at the Northeast Regional ACS Meeting in Binghamton, NY. Their travel was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, an ACS student travel grant, and the Chemistry Department at Villanova.

12 September 2006

Chemistry undergraduate student Amanda Conway, and graduate students Gianmarc Johns and Riffard Jean-Gilles along with their faculty advisors, Drs. Barry Selinsky and Carol Bessel, presented their research results at the National ACS Meeting in San Francisco, CA. Their travel was supported by a grant from the Graduate School of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, an ACS student travel grant, and the Chemistry Department at Villanova.

6 September 2006

The Chemistry Department is pleased to announce the establishment of the Laboratory for Molecular Structural Analysis. The Laboratory is supervised by Dr. Scott Kassel, Associate Professor of Chemistry, and was funded by a $329,000 grant to Dr. Kassel from the Major Research Instrumentation Program of the National Science Foundation and Departmental Funds. The centerpiece of the Laboratory is a Bruker Kappa APEX II x-ray diffractometer with copper and molybdenum sources and a low-temperature device allowing data collection at temperatures ranging from ambient to -173°C (-280°F). This instrumentation is capable of extracting structural information from both crystalline and powder samples. The Laboratory provides molecular structural determination in support of research in the Chemistry Department at Villanova, and at the many small colleges and Universities in the region. The Laboratory will also be used to train undergraduate and graduate students (and interested faculty) in the structural determination of organic and inorganic molecules. The Laboratory is located in Room 313A of Mendel Hall. An open house to celebrate the opening of the Laboratory will be held on Friday, September 15, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The Villanova Community is invited to attend; refreshments will be served.

27 June 2006

Villanova student Frank Calvosa (07) has been awarded a Fellowship Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency. The two year award provides funding for tuition, research expenses and travel for the next two years. Frank is a BS/MS candidate working for Dr. Anthony Lagalante. Congrats to Frank on his prestigious award!

19 June 2006

Catherine Leimkuhler (2001) has been awarded a 2005-2006 Bristol-Myers Squibb Graduate Fellowship in Synthetic Organic Chemistry. Catherine is completing her Ph.D. degree from Harvard University in synthetic organic chemistry under the direction of Dr. Daniel Kahne. Congratulations to Catherine on this extraordinary honor.

15 June 2006

Drs. Amanda Grannas, Anthony Lagalante, and Barry Selinsky were awarded a $329,236 grant from the Major Research Instrumentation program at the National Science Foundation.  The funds will be used to purchase two new LC/MS systems, both with triple quad mass spectrometers and one with a linear ion trap.  This is the second consecutive year that Villanova has received funding from this NSF program. Congratulations!

1 June 2006

Dr. John Wojcik, Professor of Chemistry, has announced his retirement from teaching in the Chemistry Department effective August 15, 2006. Dr. Wojcik came to Villanova in August, 1966, after teaching for a year at St. Francis College in Loretto, PA. He served as Chair of the Chemistry Department from 1990 - 1994. Best wishes to Dr. Wojcik as he begins his retirement!

29 May 2006

Dr. Deanna Zubris and her husband Kent Barbay, have become the proud parents of a daughter, Elise Barbay. Elise is Dr. Zubris' first child. Congratulations and best wishes to all!

24 March 2006

Villanova Chemistry majors Jill Betters (06), Joseph Davis (06), and Frank Calvosa (07) were selected for induction into the Villanova Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. The induction ceremony will be held on Sunday, April 23rd. Congrats to these outstanding students!

20 March 2006

Heather Dague (2008) was selected to receive an Outstanding Student Paper Award for her presentation at the 2005 Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union. Her presentation, Probing Arctic sediment constituents for their ability to promote the degradation of persistent organic pollutants, was recognized as among the best of a strong group of student presenters. Her award will be recognized in Eos, the weekly newspaper of the American Geophysical Union, and with a certificate of achievement. Heather completed her research under the direction of Dr. Amanda Grannas, Assistant Professor of Chemistry. Congrats to Heather on this huge honor!

2 March 2006

Dr. Eduard and Linda Casillas have become the proud parents of a son, Ian Casillas. Ian has an older sister, Maya, who is extremely excited about adding a baby brother to her household. Congrats and best wishes to the Casillas family!

10 February 2006

Dr. Amanda Grannas, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, has been awarded a CAREER grant through the National Science Foundation to study the photochemistry of organic pollutants in Arctic snow and ice. The grant, totally $630,000 over five years, provides funds for both laboratory and field studies in the photochemical degradation of chemicals in snow and ice. Congrats to Dr. Grannas on this award!

5 February 2006

Chemistry undergraduate students Frank Calvosa, Peter Greenbacker, and Mike Mirzabeigi, and graduate student Jon Jones, along with their faculty advisor, Dr. Anthony Lagalante, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, presented their research results at the International Extech Conference in York, England. Their travel was supported by grants from the US Forest Service, from the Honors Department, and the Chemistry Department at Villanova. Congrats to Dr. Lagalante and his students!

17 January 2006

Jeffrey Schubert (06) has been selected as a Finalist for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship, endowed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was established for scholars of outstanding academic merit and leadership potential, for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge. Congratulations to Jeff on this honor, and we wish him the best of luck as he continues in the selection process.

10 January 2006

Dr. Brian and Andrea Ohta have become the proud parents of their daughter, Madeline Toy Ohta. Madeline is the Ohta's first child. Congrats and best wishes to the Ohta's!

2 January 2006

Dr. Joseph Rucker, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, has resigned from Villanova to accept a position at Integral Molecular in Philadelphia, PA. We thank Dr. Rucker for his efforts over the past six years, and wish him well in his new position.

2005

5-9 December 2005

Chemistry undergraduate students Kendell Mahanna, Virginia Greis, and Heather Dague, along with faculty advisor Dr. Amanda Grannas, attended the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco, CA. Kendell gave an oral presentation of her research results, while Ginny and Heather presented posters. Congrats to our students and faculty on their accomplishments!

2 December 2005

A team from Arts and Sciences, let by Drs. Barry Selinsky and Eduard Casillas from the Chemistry Department, won the first annual Quiz for a Cure to support St. Jude's Childrens Hospital. The team soundly beat teams from the College of Commerce and Finance and the Athletic Department. Congrats!

15 November 2005

Drs. Anthony Lagalante and Amanda Grannas from the Chemistry Department, along with Dr. Rominder Suri from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, were awarded a three year grant of $133,750 from the US Environmental Protection Agency to study pollution protection of pharmaceutically active chemicals from University dormitories and municipal wastewater treatment plants. Congrats!

1 November 2005

Dr. Deanna Zubris, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, was awarded a grant from the Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society. The grant of $35,000 for two years will be used to support her research in the catalysis of polymerization reactions. Congrats to Dr. Zubris on this achievement.

22 August 2005

The Chemistry Department welcomes Drs. Timothy Dudley, Laurel Morton, and Thomas Bare, and Ms. Heljena McKenney, to the faculty. Dr. Dudley is a computational chemist who will teach courses in physical and general chemistry. Dr. Morton is an inorganic chemist who will teach inorganic chemistry in Dr. Bessel’s absence. Dr. Bare is an adjunct professor of organic chemistry who will teach several sections of organic chemistry lab. Ms. McKenney will teach general and forensic chemistry courses. Welcome to all!

15 August 2005

Dr. Scott Kassel, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, was awarded a grant of $322,000 from the National Science Foundation to purchase an x-ray diffractometer for the Chemistry Department. This instrument will possess both single crystal and powder diffraction capabilities, and will significantly upgrade the Department’s ability in the area of structure determination.

1 July 2005

Dr. Anthony Lagalante, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, was awarded a $75,000 grant from the U.S. Forest Service for three years to measure phytochemicals in cultivars to evaluate their role in resistance to the hemlock woolly adelgid. Congrats to Dr. Lagalante for his award!

1 July 2005

Dr. Carol Bessel, Associate Professor of Chemistry, was named a Program Officer in the Division of Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Chemistry at the National Science Foundation. Program Officers are appointed for one to three years, and are responsible for proposal review and program education to colleges and universities. Dr. Bessel will be on leave from the Department until her term of duty is complete. Congratulations to Dr. Bessel for this prestigious position.

1 June 2005

Dr. Eduard Casillas has been tenured and promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Chemistry effective August 22, 2005. Congrats!

10 May 2005

Dr. Eduard Casillas, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, was awarded the 2005 Lindback Teaching Award. This award is given to an outstanding Villanova instructor as determined by student vote and faculty evaluation. Only one Lindback award is given each year across the University, and Dr. Casillas is the first Chemist to win the award since Dr. Jose de la Vega in 1967. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Casillas on this extraordinary honor!

29 April 2005

Dr. Michael Spritzer, Associate Professor of Chemistry, has announced his retirement from teaching in the Chemistry Department effective June 30, 2005. We will miss Dr. Spritzer and his many contributions to the Chemistry Department!

24 April 2005

Villanova Chemistry majors Kathleen Spencer (05), Jeffrey Schubert (06), and Michael Giuliano (06) were inducted into the Villanova Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Congrats to these outstanding students!

16 April 2005

Riffard Jean-Gilles and Susan Thai participated in the 69th annual Intercollegiate Student Chemists' Convention at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Congratulations to Riffard, who was awarded 2st Place in the Physical Division.

12 April 2005

Dr. Esther Takeuchi presented the 3rd annual Anthony J. and Heand Johns Lecture in Chemistry. The title of her presentation was "The Bionic Human: Medical Devices and How they are Powered". Dr. Takeuchi is Vice President of Batter Research and Development at Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc., and was recently elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

15 March 2005

A number of our faculty and students attended the 229th annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego, CA. Several faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students, including Luci Safi (2006) and Tricia Sladicka (2006), presented their research results.

1 January 2005

Dr. Amanda Grannas has joined the Chemistry Department as an Assistant Professor of Analytical Chemistry. Dr. Grannas received her BS degree from Juniata College and her Ph.D. from Purdue University. She is coming to Villanova from a postdoctoral fellow at (THE!) Ohio State University. After several intense searches, the Analytical area at Villanova is returning to full strength.

2004

1 July 2004

Dr. Anthony Lagalante, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, was awarded a $53,000 grant from the U.S. Forest Service to evaluate imidacloprid and its metabolites in minimizing hemlock damage caused by the hemlock woolly adelgid. Congrats to Dr. Lagalante for his achievement!

15 June 2004

Dr. Anthony Lagalante has joined the Chemistry Department as an Assistant Professor of Analytical Chemistry. Dr. Lagalante received his BS degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He did a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and has spent the past three years as an Assistant Professor at Penn State Worthington Scranton. We are excited to have Dr. Lagalante as part of the Villanova Chemistry family!

4 June 2004

Dr. Carol Bessel, Associate Professor of Chemistry, has been awarded a RUI grant from the National Science Foundation. Her proposal, Nanoscale Catalysts: Syntheses, Characterization and Reactivities, is a $188,000 grant for three years beginning August 1, 2004. Congratulations on this fine achievement.

1 June 2004

Dr. Barry Selinsky has been promoted to the rank of Professor of Chemistry effective August 22, 2004. Congrats!

25 April 2004

Villanova Chemistry majors Justin Belardi (04), Adrienne Kline (04), Tricia Sladicka (05), and Gregory Riviello (05) were inducted into the Villanova Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Congrats to these outstanding students!

24 April 2004

Adrienne Kline, Christopher Cummings, and Andrew Dunbar participated in the 68th annual Intercollegiate Student Chemists' Convention at Hood College. Adrienne was awarded a 1st Place in the Organic Division, while Chris was awarded a 2nd Place in Organic.