RESEARCH and TEACHING INTERESTS
Learn more about my research interests by clicking of the links below. Current projects can involve graduate and undergraduate students. If a project interests you, feel free to contact me.
Scientific Research: kinetics, photochemistry, materials science
Chemical Education: designing laboratory experiments and lecture materials, information technology in the classroom
If you are an undergraduate and you are intrigued by the idea of working in a lab, contributing to new scientific discoveries and learning about science, then I strongly recommend that you talk with me or any other faculty in our chemistry department about performing undergraduate research. Clicking on the links above will show you some of the projects that I am currently exploring. The best way to learn about chemistry is to "do chemistry" and the best chemistry is done in a research laboratory.
In addition to my research pursuits, I am developing new curriculum materials, such as online tutorials and new laboratory experiments, for general chemistry, physical chemistry and nanotechnology laboratory courses that I teach. My goal is to increase students' understanding and appreciation of chemistry.
I teach general (CHM 1101 and 1102) and physical chemistry lecture (CHM 3002) and laboratory (CHM 3011) courses. I co-teach the new Nanotechnology Laboratory course (CHM 1079) with Drs. Ming Zhang (physics) and Jim Brenner (chemical engineering). I also co-teach the new Computers for Chemists course (CHM 2001) with Dr. Clayton Baum, starting in spring 2007.
A SHORT BIOGRAPHY
I grew up in Virginia, about 45 minutes away from Washington D.C. I attended college at Virginia Tech (GO HOKIES!). I initially thought that I wanted to be a scientist of some sort, but I got hooked on chemistry when I started working in Dr. John Dillard's lab. After getting a degree in chemistry, I continued on to earn my Ph.D. at Auburn University under the supervision of Dr. Jimmy Mills.
While I finished my research and wrote my dissertation, I also taught general chemistry at Auburn. This was a temporary teaching position, but it gave me a chance to find out if I really wanted to be a professor. It was great! From then on, I knew I wanted to spend my time teaching chemistry and working in the lab.
Once I graduated, I got a job at Northwestern University near Chicago. I worked in the laboratory of Dr. Eric Weitz for a little less than a year, until I got this phone call in August...
A friend told me about this place called Florida Tech which needed somebody to teach physical chemistry for the fall semester. That was great news, since I was beginning to look for teaching positions. Unfortunately, classes were starting in a few weeks. My wife and I were not looking forward to another cold Chicago winter, so we packed our bags and hit the road. I arrived in Melbourne on a Friday and started teaching on the next Monday. Such is the exciting life of a chemist.
When I'm not in the lab or teaching, I like to watch college (VT) and pro (Dallas Cowboys) football, bowl and shoot pool. (Sort of athletic, but not enough to actually get any exercise or break a sweat. Oh, well.) |
