Dear Colleagues and Students,
We are teaching in person! We had an anxious start but with cooperative students and a supportive administration, the semester is going well. LSU never stopped requiring masks so the transition to in-person classes with masks was simple. With a requirement that students, faculty, and staff must be vaccinated or take weekly COVID tests, 82% of the students have received at least one shot.
There are still challenges but we are almost back to “normal” and very happy to be so.
John A. Pojman, Ph.D.
William and Patricia Senn, Jr, Distinguished Professor & Chair
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Chemistry Undergraduate Office Welcomes New Leadership and Initiatives
LSU Chemistry | August 2021
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Following the recent retirement of Dr. Linda Allen, Director of Undergraduate Studies, LSU Chemistry was tasked with filling a critical position that would continue its history of academic excellence and develop new strategies for an ever-growing department and university. Starting this summer, the undergraduate office appointed a highly talented and dynamic team of faculty and staff. | More >
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LSU Professor Takes on the Research of Hydroformylation Catalysts
Elaine Tagge | September 2021
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In the industry of commercial aldehydes, affordable but effective catalysts are imperative for efficient production. Learn how LSU Chemistry Assistant Professor Matthew Chambers and his research team are studying the process of aldehyde formation and the optimization of pre-catalysts. | More >
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LSU Chemistry Curriculum Improving Student Communication Skills
LSU Chemistry | September 2021
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Communication is increasingly becoming a core professional skill that employers in all fields and industries want every student and early career professional to possess. Starting this fall semester, the General Chemistry Laboratory course (CHEM 1212) and Survey of Organic Chemistry (CHEM 2060) are taught as Communication-Intensive (C-I) courses. Chemistry faculty work with enrolled students to advance their written or visual communication skills while simultaneously learning the course content. | More >
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Can Machine Learning Lead to Cleaner Water and More Energy-Efficient Ionic Separations? U.S. Department of Energy Invests $1.5M in LSU and Penn State Researchers Who Think So
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An LSU and Penn State research team, including LSU Chemistry Associate Professor Revati Kumar, received a $1.5M grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a smarter approach to ionic separations, which are important for water treatment, resource recovery, and energy production. Learn how the researchers are leveraging data science and machine learning to lower the world’s energy footprint for securing fresh water supplies and recovering critical minerals. | More >
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LSU, Delaware to Develop Chemical Manufacturing Processes Using CO2 Feedstocks and Renewable Energy
LSU Engineering | September 2021
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A team of researchers from LSU and the University of Delaware received a 4-year, $4M grant from the NSF EPSCOR program to develop chemical manufacturing processes using carbon dioxide feedstocks and renewable energy. LSU Chemistry Assistant Professor Noémie Elgrishi, a project Co-PI, and her research team will be working on the electrode interface, particularly interactions with catalysts and binders to improve selectivity and durability of CO₂ electrolyzers. | More >
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LSU Research Team Awarded $1.4 Million Equipment Grant from the National Science Foundation
LSU Superfund Research Center | Sept 2021
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A research team from the LSU Superfund Research Program, including Dr. Lavrent Khachatryan (LSU Chemistry), and collaborators from the LSU AgCenter and Pennington Biomedical Research Center, received a $1.4 million grant through the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program. The grant will enable the purchase of a state-of-the-art high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) spectrometer. | More >
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Vicente Receives NSF Funding to Study the Synthesis, Properties, and Dynamics of BODIPY-based Fluorophores for Bioimaging
LSU Chemistry | August 2021
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LSU Chemistry Professor Graça Vicente and her research team are designing, synthesizing, and investigating the photophysical, electrochemical, and biological properties of new dyes toward the development of BODIPY-based fluorophores for practical applications in biology and medicine. The project was first funded by the National Science Foundation in 2009 and was recently awarded its fourth renewal (2021-2024). Project results have already resulted in over 20 collaborative publications. | More >
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LSU and La. Tech Partner to Create Center for Structural Integrity
LSU College of Engineering | July 2021
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Rivas Receives Award to Develop Chemical Tools Using Natural Products for the Understanding of Human Diseases
LSU Chemistry | July 2021
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Assistant Professor Fatima Rivas received one of 35 Ralph E Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards through the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). The Ralph E Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards program provides seed money for research by early-career faculty at ORAU member institutions. The award recognizes Rivas’ project that integrates biochemistry with natural products (NPs) to interrogate biological processes involved in human diseases. | More >
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Pojman Receives Endowed Professorship
LSU Chemistry | July 2021
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Louisiana State University Chemistry Professor and Department Chair John A. Pojman was named the Dr. William L. and Patricia H. Senn Jr. Endowed Professor in the Department of Chemistry. The endowed professorship recognizes a distinguished scholar with a proven record of outstanding achievement in chemistry research and education, as measured by scholarly activity and international professional reputation. | More >
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Marc Loudon: A Perfect Harmony of Music and Chemistry
Born and raised in Baton Rouge, a young Marc Loudon was a talented pianist and an aspiring musician. However, a high school chemistry teacher from Baton Rouge High, Mr. Hargrove, encouraged Loudon to pursue chemistry in college. In 1960, Loudon graduated from Baton Rouge High and enrolled at Louisiana State University as a chemistry major. Learn about Dr. Loudon's academic and career journey and how he maintained his interest in music. | More >
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UNDERGRADUATE SPOTLIGHT
Elaine Tagge | October 2021
Emma Lane, Chemistry Senior
As the child of two chemical engineers, Emma Lane was born and raised for scientific discovery. Originally enrolled in the pre-nursing program, she has since switched her major to chemistry and is pursuing a minor in art history. She is currently a senior and is set to graduate in Spring 2022. Learn how Emma explores the intersection of science and art. | More >
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More Than Just Numbers: Building Diversity and Equity in STEM
LSU’s diversity-in-STEM programs connect students in Louisiana with STEM resources and research each year. Learn about how these programs have impacted the development of numerous students. | Article >
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When Did You Know You Wanted To Be A Scientist?
LSU CoS Pursuit for Kids | July 2021
LSU Scientists tell us about the moment—or moments— they knew that being a scientist was their destiny. Read LSU Chemistry Assistant Professor Fatima Rivas' "Colors of the Rainbow" spotlight. | Feature >
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LSU Chemistry Graduate Coordinator Kim Mollere received the third quarter LSU Staff Stripes Award! The award recognizes staff who have earned their stripes through their hard work and dedication to LSU.
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Zhang, D.; John, V.; Zhang, Y.; Xuan, S. Hydrophobically Modified Polypeptoids and Uses Thereof. U.S. Patent 11123433B2, September 21, 2011.
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Dr. Les Butler - LA Board of Regents (BOR)- Anisotropic Plasma Etching for Science and Engineering Research and Education at Louisiana State University (PI); CISIA- IUCRC Phase 1 Center for Innovations in Structural Integrity Assurance (co-PI)
Dr. Matthew Chambers - LA Board of Regents (BOR) ITRS- Cationic Carbonylation Catalyst Development for Safer and More Efficient Chemical Processes at Lower Pressures (PI)
Dr. Noémie Elgrishi - NSF CAREER- Confined Nano-Environments for the Stabilization of Molecular Electrocatalysts (PI); NSF- RII Track-2 FEC: Fundamental Insights into the Durability and Efficiencies of CO2 Electrolyzers (Co-PI)
Dr. John Hopkins – LA Board of Regents (BOR) - LOUIS OER Faculty Cohort Contract (PI)
Dr. John Pojman – Nylon Corporation of America, Inc. – Analysis of Nylon Samples (PI)
Dr. Revati Kumar - DOE- Bridging the length scales in ionic separations via data-driven machine learning (Co-PI)
Dr. Graça Vicente- NSF- Synthesis, Properties, and Dynamics of BODIPY-based Fluorophores (PI)
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PROMOTIONS | TENURE | NEW HIRES |
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Amy Commander was promoted to Senior Human Resources Specialist and HR Analyst for Chemistry and the College of Science.
Dr. Tuo Wang received the award of tenure and promotion to Associate Professor.
The following faculty were promoted to Distinguished Instructor: Dr. Elzbieta Cook, Dr. Alfonso Davila, Dr. Tamara Nauman, and Dr. Kresimir Rupnik.
The Chemistry Business Office has two new employees, Haleh Samadnouri (Business Manager: Post-Award Grant Administration) and Sarah Nichols (Coordinator: Travel, Accounts Payable, and Special Projects). Haleh has been in the department for eight years, as Dr. Isiah Warner’s Administrative Coordinator. Sarah has been in the department for two and a half years, as a Coordinator in Dr. Warner’s office.
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GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS |
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Marvin Stewart, a graduate student in the Lee research group, was awarded a National GEM Consortium Graduate Fellowship in Science, Engineering, and STEM. As a GEM fellow, Marvin will receive a paid summer work experience through an employer sponsor and an academic year fellowship of tuition, fees, and a stipend.
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Fatimat Badmus received the Organic Chemistry and Catalysis Division Graduate Poster Presentation Award at the 2021 NOBCChE National Conference.
Aderonke Simi Folorunso received the 2021 NOBCChE Computational Chemistry and Physical Chemistry Division Graduate Poster Presentation Award at the 2021 NOBCChE National Conference.
LSU Chemistry graduate student Leo Fontenot was appointed as NOBCChE’s National Student Representative. Leo is a 5th year Ph.D. candidate in the Rivera research group. He's the immediate past president (2020/2021 session) of the LSU NOBCChE chapter and currently serves as the Recording Secretary.
Callie Stern received the 2021 NOBCChE Inorganic Chemistry Division Oral Presentation Award for her talk at the NOBCChE conference.
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UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Gabriela Coronel Hernandez received a Summer '21 Research Grant recipients and her research is on the "Molecular Machines Modulate Plasma Membrane Structure and Dynamics". Mentor: Dr. Victor Garcia-Lopez
Chris Gupta received a Summer '21 Research Grant recipients and his research is on the "Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Sodium Triflate and TFSI with Mixed Glyme Solvents". Mentor: Dr. Revati Kumar
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LSU Chemistry Assistant Professor Fatima Rivas and her research team are developing new chemical tools from natural products with the potential of treating human diseases.
Learn how their research will aid in developing the next generation of molecular probes to understand diseases and improve drug development.
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Deaconess Dr. Mildred Smalley (1937-2021)
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It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of Dr. Mildred Smalley. Dr. Smalley was the first Black woman to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry from LSU and one of the first Black women in the United States to receive a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry.
From 1965 to 2000, Dr. Smalley served on Southern University and A&M College faculty committed to finding ways of effectively teaching chemistry. Her legacy as a chemist, teacher, mentor, and leader improved student learning and classroom environments. Dr. Smalley’s commitment to education helped countless students on their journey to learning chemistry and achieving a college degree. Learn more about the life and legacy of Deaconess Dr. Mildred Smalley | Tribute >
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Dr. Arlene K. Kestner (1939-2021)
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Dr. Arlene Kestner, the wife of LSU Chemistry Emeritus Professor Neil Kestner, received her graduate education with a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Louisiana State University. Dr. Kestner served on the Southern University psychology faculty for over 33 years, where her research projects included investigations on memory and olfaction including sensory evaluation of aromatic oils as well as several projects focusing on odor preferences. | Obituary >
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To submit news for the LSU Chemistry Newsletter, email Gretchen Schneider (editor) at gschne2@lsu.edu.
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