Author Archives: Luanne Johnson
Undergraduate of the Quarter – Winter 2014 – Stefan Lucchini
Stefan was born in Indiana where he lived for his first six years. He subsequently moved around (Florida then British Columbia then Washington DC) before finally settling in the Lake Oswego area 16 years ago. He wanted to come to OSU to take advantage of our in-state tuition and because he was interested in research. He has a deep commitment to giving back to society – believing that we exist for the sake of making societal progress (the idealized world of “Star Trek”). At OSU, he has been surprised how much the professors will do to foster his growth. He has worked particularly closely with Distinguished Emeritus Professor Darrah Thomas and Distinguished Professor Doug Keszler – commenting “I was surprised how important I was to them… they have been insanely supportive.” in fact, his life-long goal is to “follow in the footsteps of Dr. Ken Hedberg and Dr. Thomas by continuing to do research as long as possible.” His favorite courses so far have been in the Physical Chemistry series and his favorite professor has been Professor Wei Kong. Professor Kong “stays true to the material, doesn’t dumb it down – very pure.” Stefan is already following through on his commitment to giving back to society by serving as an Undergrad Research Ambassador. He gives talks to new students to get them excited about science. Once he graduates he plans to get a masters degree in Chemistry before pursuing his PhD. After school he would like to first work in industry (his dream job is working at Intel), but would like to end his career as a professor. Stefan’s energy, passion and excitement are infectious. It is students like him that make OSU an amazing place and we congratulate Stefan for all his hard work!
Kevin Gable reflects on his time as Faculty Senate President
Originally printed January 11, 2014 1:00 pm in the Corvallis Gazette-Times
By JAMES DAY, Corvallis Gazette-Times (reprinted with permission)
Kevin Gable has been a chemistry professor at Oregon State University since 1988.
He was chairman of the Chemistry Department from 2006-11, and he just finished a year as president of the OSU Faculty Senate.
But he doesn’t really count himself a political animal.
“The only thing that disqualifies you is wanting to do the job,” Gable said of how he wound up president.
“I never actually ran for it. When you get to full professor you feel a certain measure of responsibility to the institution.”
And being a chemist, Gable likes having a role in mixing things up.
“It’s all about shared governance. There is a tradition in higher ed and at OSU that the faculty demands a voice in how it’s done.”
Then Gable ticks off the pieces of the OSU puzzle in which the Senate wields significant influence: curriculum, academic regulations, the criteria for promotions and tenure.
Gable also noted the Senate’s role in the establishment of OSU’s new Board of Trustees.
“I’m extremely happy with the process we went through. It was a showcase of shared governance. The Senate specifically and the faculty broadly participated in the decision-making process. And that’s where our interest lies.”
Gable notes that in an institution as diverse as the OSU faculty, with more than 3,500 people, “there is a broad spectrum of opinion” then adds an old college joke: “If there are three faculty involved there may very well be four opinions in the room.”
There was a wide range of opinions in the room Dec. 12 when the Senate voted to approve a resolution asking the university foundation to divest from companies that are involved in fossil fuels.
At times the debate resembled a national political convention as representatives of the various colleges expressed their views.
In the end the resolution passed narrowly.
Gable’s conclusion: “It’s within the realm of the faculty to make a statement.”
When he is not teaching or working on Senate business Gable say he likes to cook. Which made a reporter curious about the relationship between the science of chemistry and how his expertise works on the stove.
“There are pieces of cooking that are purely art. But as an organic chemist I have an understanding of some of the processes when you cook. An organic chemist can follow a recipe. We do that in the lab all the time. Also, you understand why in a recipe you add things in a particular order.
“The goal is to have a good meal and a decent glass of wine to go with it and feel good at the end of the night.”
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Contact reporter James Day at jim.day@gazettetimes.com or 541-758-9542. Follow at Twitter.com/jameshday or gazettetimes.com/blogs/jim-day.
Copyright 2014 Corvallis Gazette Times. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
NOBCChE West Regional Meeting
Greetings,
The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE – pronounced no-be-shay) West Regional Meeting will be held March 21-23, 2014, on the UCSD campus.
The meeting is a three-day educational and technical event consisting of different multidisciplinary workshops and symposiums focusing on chemistry, chemical engineering, and professional development opportunities for students, STEM educators, and industry professionals.
Keynote speakers include Dr. Kimberly Prather (UCSD, SIO, CAICE Director) and Dr. Joseph Francisco (Purdue University, former national ACS and NOBCChE president, member of the National Academy of Sciences). We are looking for undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and industry representatives for oral and poster presentations in chemistry, chemical engineering, sustainable energy, and related fields. Non-presenters are strongly encouraged to register as well.
Limited registration and lodging support is available to students and postdocs on the first come basis. All conference information can be found at https://ucsd.academia.edu/NOBCChEUCSD. NOBCChE welcomes ALL who are dedicated to the pursuit of science to participate!
See you in San Diego,
Renee T. Williams, Ph.D.
UC President’s Postdoctoral Scholar
University of California, San Diego
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Conference Planning Committee
Student Program Chair – West Region
National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)
Undergraduate Research Awards
Oregon State University Libraries is pleased to announce the seventh annual Library Undergraduate Research Award. This award recognizes and rewards OSU undergraduates who, through comprehensive use of the OSU Libraries, demonstrate outstanding research, scholarship, and originality in writing a paper or completing a project. Typically there are two $1000 scholarships awarded. The deadline for your submission is Jan. 31.
Discovering the Scientist Within
This free workshop for middle school girls for encouraging them to pursue careers in science and engineering will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the Linus Pauling Science Center. Pre-registration is required. New this year, parents will have the opportunity to attend parent sessions. For information, visit http://oregonstate.edu/dept/cosey/dsw or call 541-737-9424.
UO MCAT Prep
The winter 2014 workshop begins Jan. 25! The sessions are taught live in Eugene and via video conference in Portland. Streaming and video on demand offer additional options for location, schedule and learning style.
INSTRUCTORS The University’s MCAT Preparation Workshop is conducted by faculty members and testing experts who teach biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, and verbal reasoning material specifically tailored for the MCAT. All instructors focus on helping students perform to their best abilities on the MCAT.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS include comprehensive review books and AAMC full-length practice tests. In addition, participants have access to course videos _and other materials that supplement in-class instruction.
WINTER 2014—Cost: $650
Saturdays, 9:30am – 4:15pm
Jan. 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, Mar. 1
Priority Deadline: Jan. 13
Register before the priority deadline to allow adequate time for material order and shipping.
Registration forms and contact information are available on our website http://mcat.uoregon.edu or contact TLC at 541-346-3226 for more information.
Teaching and Learning Center (TLC)
1213 University of Oregon, 68 PLC
Eugene OR 97403
CSMC Undergraduate Research Program
June 15 – August 18, 2014
Application deadline: 28 February 2014
The CSMC Summer Research Program for undergraduates is a 9 week summer research program in sustainable materials science. Research positions are available in Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering.
At the start of the summer, students attend a one week tutorial called the Sustainable Materials Research Training (SMaRT) Camp at the University of Oregon. After SMaRT Camp, students perform cutting edge research at one of the CSMC host labs.
Students receive a $4000 stipend.
For more information and to apply, go to: http://sustainablematerialschemistry.org/smart
Weekit Sirisaksoontorn Thesis Defense
Weekit Sirisaksoontorn will defend his thesis entitled, Graphite Intercalation Compounds Containing Tetra-n-alkylammonium Cations on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 12 noon in Gilbert 324.
Subrata Shaw Thesis Defense
Subrata Shaw will defend his thesis Cis-2,5-diaminobicyclo[2.2.2]octane: A Novel Scaffold for Asymmetric Catalysis on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 3pm in Gilbert 324.