Archive
Collaboration with Stanford Reveals Unexpected Reactivity of Silica
Considering the widespread use of mesoporous silica particles in our daily life as well as in medicine, the significant extent of oxidation facilitated by such previously considered chemically inert materials deserves much attention. Oxidation by such particles was studied in detail using nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Data showed that more oxidation was measured when molecules have easier access to particle surfaces. The unexpected reactivity found for L-cysteine, glutathione, and D-penicillamine were reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by Dr. Yangjie Li and Professor Richard N. Zare, both in the Chemistry Department at Stanford University, working together with WCU's Kurt W. Kolasinski. More about this work is available in this news article published in Chemical and Engineering News.
WCU Award Dreyfus Lectureship
Congratulations to Drs. Danielle Chirdon and Kimberly Mullane on being awarded the 2023 Jean Dreyfus Lectureship for Undergraduate Institutions!
The Jean Dreyfus Lectureship awards provide a grant to bring Professor Suzanne Bart of Purdue University to give two lectures in the chemical sciences. One of the lectures should be accessible and promoted to a wide audience that includes the general public. The second lecture will be more technical. A portion of the award is to support two undergraduates in summer research. You can register for the poster session and technical talk on Saturday, April 20th here.
Science on Tap
Dr. Tom Kwiatkowski presented a public research talk on Muscular Dystrophy at the monthly 'Science on Tap' event at Root Down Brewing Co.
Research probing atmospheric chemistry above Alaska published
Dr. Tim Starn and collaborators investigated the role of BrO in ozone depletion in this paper published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. Reactive halogen chemistry in the springtime Arctic causes ozone depletion events and alters the rate of pollution processing. There are still many uncertainties regarding this chemistry, including the multiphase recycling of halogens and how sea ice impacts the source strength of reactive bromine. In this study, observations from the CHACHA (CHemistry in the Arctic: Clouds, Halogens, and Aerosols) field campaign based out of Utqiaġvik, Alaska, from mid-February to mid-April of 2022 provided information on the vertical distribution of bromine monoxide (BrO), which is a tracer for reactive bromine chemistry.
Congratulations to SURI Awardees
A number of students will be in the labs this summer with research funded by the Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI). These researchers include
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- Kacey Durkin and Tyler Czeiner working with Dr. Chirdon
- Robbie Witikko working with Dr. Ganas on Sustainable Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Cellulose Aerogels
- Simret Asefa working with Dr. Ganas on Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dots derived from Nanocrystalline Cellulose
- Peter Nelson and Ali Azam working with Dr. Kwiatkowski
- Sadie Patterson working with Dr. Voras on Analysis of WCU Andean Headwear Collection
Study on Muscle Membrane Repair Pathways Sheds Light on Origins of Muscular Dystrophy
Dr. Tom Kwiatkowski is part of an international team that has published the results of a study to assess the role of murine Dysf exon 40a in membrane repair and development of dysferlinopathy in mice. Their paper titled "Minimal expression of dysferlin prevents development of dysferlinopathy in dysferlin exon 40a knockout mice" has been published in Acta Neuropathologica Communications.
Dr. Constantinos Pistos invited talk at Chromatography Forum of Delaware Valley
Dr. Pistos gave a talk at the Chromatography Forum of Delaware Valley's (CFDV) 2023 annual Symposium in Claymont, DE on April 20th. His speech was entitled “Green Analytical Toxicology: What is the future in Forensic Toxicology?”.
The Chromatography Forum is an active and engaging organization and fosters a spirit of fraternity among those engaged in chromatography. It promotes practical use and theoretical knowledge for educational benefit and professional development of its members.
Winterthur Conservation Scientists Visit Chemistry Department
We had some visitors from the Winterthur Museum Scientific Research and Analysis Laboratory (SRAL) in the Chemistry Department. Conservation Scientist Catherine Matsen, along with Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (WUDPAC) graduate student Tammy Hong visited the research lab of Dr. Zachary Voras to investigate the composition of Chinese export miniature paintings.
Dr. Kimberly Mullane spoke at Philadelphia Inorganic Colloquium
Dr. Mullane delivered an Invited talk at the Philadelphia Inorganic Colloquium to be held on 22 April at the College of New Jersey. Her talk is titled "Early (Zr, Hf) and Late (Cu) Transition Metals in Energy Applications." If you would like to attend, registration is now open. Free for all attendees.
The Philadelphia Inorganic Colloquium is a forum for chemists in the Delaware Valley. Each Colloquium features lectures from local researchers and a poster session for undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral scholars. Learn more.
Professor Kurt Kolasinski Named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Kurt Kolasinski, WCU professor of chemistry, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science family of journals. This honor recognizes his lifetime work, specifically “his outstanding contributions to surface science and his efforts to educate others about this field.”
Study on sensor that detects mercury published
Dr. Jingqiu Hu along with WCU undergraduate researchers Matthew Graves, Erica S. Knorr , and John B. Griffith, along with Dr. Michael S. Elioff of Millersville University have published a study in Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy titled "A fluorescent turn-on sensor for mercury (II) ions in near neutral poly(metharylic acid) solution."
Chemistry Scholarships
More information on scholarships can be hound on the Chemistry Departments Scholarships page. Most chemistry scholarships require students to be at least sophomores. Complete the application at the link above to apply for scholarships housed within the Chemistry Department.
Link for application: https://bit.ly/3TlQHKB
Welcome to the WCU Department of Chemistry
Watch a welcome to our department from our Chair, Professor Mahrukh Azam.
NSF Grant for a new Scanning Electron Microscope Awarded
The National Science Foundation has funded our proposal for the purchase of a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The $391,730 grant will be used to purchase an Apreo 2 from ThermoFisher FEI to replace our existing SEM. This instrument, which can image objects with 1 nm resolution and quantify elemental composition, is used in advanced undergraduate laboratory courses as well as research. It will be housed in the Center for Microanalysis and Imaging Research and Training (CMIRT), which is a facility supported by the College of the Sciences and Mathematics. Principle Investigator Dr. Kurt Kolasinski (Chemistry) was joined by Dr. LeeAnn Srogi (Earth & Space Sciences), Dr. Howell Bosbyshell (Earth & Space Sciences), Dr. Brandon Mitchell (Physics) and Dr. John Pisciotta (Biology) in the proposal. These researchers will use the new instrument to probe the structure of nanomaterials and semiconductors, to investigate the interactions of nanoparticles with the environment, and to study microtextures and chemical composition of mineral grains.
Student Award Winners 2022
Congratulations to all those who received special recognition!
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- Conner Balickie (center) accepting the American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholastic Achievement Award in Chemistry from Dr. Ivona Sasamovich, Chair of Phila. Local ACS (left), and Dr. Grant Dobereiner, Chair of the Awards Committee (right)
- American Institute of Chemists Award – Chemistry: Armin Mahdavi
- American Institute of Chemistry Award – Biochemistry: Ashley Loignon
- The Reid-Fenton Award for Forensic & Toxicological Chemistry: Blake Kerstetter
- Chemistry Minor Award: Carley Cirafesi
- ACS Award in Analytical Chemistry: Ashley Loignon
- ACS Award in Organic Chemistry: Kai Goldenstein Vonkiel
- ACS Award in Physical Chemistry: Juliana Hetzel
- PPD Pre-Pharmacy Outstanding Students Award: Hunter Trzeciak
- PPD Outstanding Student Award: Brooke Kerstetter
Report of the Alternative Sampling Strategies Committee of the IATDMCT Published
Check page 3 of this issue of The IATDMCT Compass where you will find a report written by Dr. Constantinos Pistos titled "Applicability of Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling in pediatric population. What is the future?". The International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring & Clinical Toxicology (IATDMCT) fosters education, research and practice in therapeutic drug monitoring and clinical toxicology.
150 Most Influential Women of West Chester University
Congratulations to Dr. Melissa Cichowicz, who has been honored at one of WCU's 150 Most Influential Women for her numerous contributions to our Department, the University and the field of
chemistry. Dr. Cichowicz came to WCU in 1986 and was awarded tenure and promotion
to Associate Professor in 1992. She has served the University in a variety of roles
including: Director of Sponsored Research, Associate Dean - College of Arts & Sciences,
Pre-Medical Program Director, Chemistry Department Chair and Assistant Department
Chair. She served as the founding faculty advisor to Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity,
Alpha Epsilon chapter, and advisor to other groups such as Women in Science, Pre-Medical
Student Association and the Equestrian Club. Dr. Cichowicz has served the chemical
community for over 30 years as an elected member of the Board of Directors, Philadelphia
Section of the American Chemical Society, including a 3-year term as Chairman of the
Board. She has also served as a National Councilor with appointments to CEPA (Committee
for Economic & Professional Affairs) and MAC (Membership Activities Committee), and
is also a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists. She has won both Meritorious
and Distinguished Service awards from the Philadelphia Section ACS, as well as “National
Advisor of the Year” from Phi Sigma Pi and WCU’s “Outstanding Faculty/Administrator
of the Year” and in 2006 was selected for WCU’s “Legacy of Leadership” class. She
has engaged in research with numerous students on projects related to organic synthesis
of natural products, or development of novel synthetic methodology, and has over 30
papers and presentations on those results at regional and national conferences.
Those associated with the department over the years will remember Dr. Helen Reid, who passed in March 2020 and was also recognized as one WCU's Most Influential Women. Dr. Reid conceived and developed the B.S. Forensic & Toxicological Chemistry program at WCU and was instrumental in that program achieving accreditation (as one of only 5 programs in PA) by FEPAC (the Forensic Education Program Accreditation Council). In order to learn what students needed to be taught, Dr. Reid worked for no salary at a variety of police, medical examiner and toxicology laboratories in the area during the summer for several years, and developed & gained CAPC approval for the Forensic Chemistry courses CHE & CRL 371; her contacts also enabled students to complete for-credit (CHE 451) professional internships at state and local police labs, medical examiners’ offices, and commercial toxicology laboratories as a required part of their degree program. The continued tremendous popularity of this major is due to her selfless dedication to serving our students for many years.
Chemistry Outreach Event with the YMWIC
At the YMWIC Event, we had a blast when we hosted scholars from the Young Men & Women in Charge Foundation for three evenings of chemical demonstrations and fun. Thank you to the Alchemists and, in particular, Jackie DiPietro, Stephen Dilullo, Juliana Hetzel, Ruthy Hunjo, Ashley Loingnon, Eric Nash, Allison Pereira-Ogan, Michael Quagliariello, Amir Sumpter, and Parker Voit and well as Dr. Abbie Ganas for loads of preparation work and helping out with three evening events.
NSF S-STEM Scholarships Available
Interested in chemistry and a scholarship?
This opportunity comes with an academic scholarship of $9,000 per year for up to four years, paid summer research and internship opportunities, and other mentoring and support.
If you have already been accepted at WCU and are planning to major in Physics, Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Geosciences and qualify for a Pell Grant according to your FAFSA, you should submit an application for the S-STEM scholarship program. You will be taken to the S-STEM scholarship application after you sign in. Submit before April 15th to have priority consideration.
1871 Award & Publication on Surface Modification
Congratulations to chemistry major Jacklyn DiPietro for being named among 40 outstanding students to receive West Chester University’s 1871 Award. This award recognizes students who excel in the academic and co-curricular realms. Apropos of this award, Jackie is not only the President of the Alchemist Club and the Gamma Sigma Epsilon Chemistry Honor Society, she also is first author on a study titled "Characterization of Mechanochemical Modification of Porous Silicon with Arginine" that was just published in the journal Surfaces.
Congratulations to chemistry major Jacklyn DiPietro for being named among 40 outstanding
students to receive West Chester University’s 
2021 Awards for Excellence in Chemistry
The Scholastic Achievement Awards of the Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society were presented to Kyle Shaffer (Chemistry) and Yaseena Alli (Biochemistry).
The American Institute of Chemists Awards were granted to Madisson Gladfelter (Chemistry) and Corinne Gallagher (Biochemistry). The Reid-Fenton Award for Forensic & Toxicological Chemistry was given to Elizabeth Malozzi. Congratulations to all the awardees on their accomplishments!
Special Seminar: Dr. Ted Heilweil from NIST
It was an informative evening with Dr. Ted Heilweil speaking about internships and his career at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). His work focuses on using ultrafast spectroscopy to study charge movement in semiconductors, 2D materials, and molecules.
Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award
Congratulations to Professor John Townsend, who was named the winner of the 2021 Award
for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in Chemical Science. The award is presented
by the Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society and is sponsored by Merck
& Co.
Meeting the World's Biggest Challenges with the Tiniest Objects
In a presentation from the 2021 NNI Strategic Planning Stakeholder Workshop: Charting the Path Forward, Professor Kurt Kolasinski discusses future directions in nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Work on Luminescent Nanostructures Published
The pandemic may have stopped our students from going back into the lab but it didn't stop them from analyzing their data and writing up the results. Three of our recent graduates – Teresa Lee, Benjamin Roe and Joseph Swanson – have had their work published in this article Response of Photoluminescence of H-Terminated and Hydrosilylated Porous Si Powders to Rinsing and Temperature.
ACS Award for Excellence in Chemistry
Congratulations to Teresa Lee who was awarded the 2020 Scholastic Achievement Award by the Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society.
1871 Award
Congratulations to Yaseena Alli and Emily Dwyer, who are Chem Bio majors, for being named among 40 outstanding students to receive West Chester University’s 1871 Award. This award recognizes students who excel in the academic and co-curricular realms.
International Collaboration Leads to Publication
A collaboration involving undergraduate researchers Joseph Swanson and Bret Unger directed by Professor Kurt Kolasinski together with researchers from the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Connecticut have published their result on nanostructure formation in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.
International Year of the Periodic Table Commemorated
WCU celebrated the International Year of the Periodic Table on November 4 by receiving Proclamations from the PA State Senate and PA State House of Representatives. The event took place in front of the Department’s Interactive Periodic Table display; picture are (L to R) Dr. Jeff Evelhoch (donor of the Periodic Table Display), State Senator Andrew Dinniman, State Representative Carolyn Comitta, Dr. Melissa Cichowicz (Chair, Department of Chemistry) and Dr. Radha Pyati (Dean, College of the Sciences and Mathematics).
Podcast on Nanoscience.
Listen to some reflections on nanoscience in this podcast from Prof. Kolasinski. This podcast series features voices from the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). Researchers and innovators discuss their work at the nanoscale, the challenges they’ve faced, and how they’ve connected with the NNI.
Dr. Michael J. Moran: An Appreciation upon his Retirement
The Department of Chemistry wishes Dr. Michael J. Moran all the best upon his retirement making this is our first semester without him since he joined the faculty of West Chester University in 1981. Please join us in thanking him for his decades of dedicated service to the students and community of WCU. You can read more about his long and successful career here.
ACS Award for Excellence in Chemistry
Senior Erica Knorr was awarded the Scholastic Achievement Award by the Philadelphia
Section of the American Chemical Society. Congratulations
Erica!
Alchemists host Chem Craze
The Alchemist kicked off another year of events by hosting a group of 42 middle and high school students. The group brought together by YMWIC literally mixed it up with the Alchemists. Thank you to Kelsey Dittmar, Teague Smith, Savannah Fay, John Griffith, Lidia Gebre, Olivia Kimber, Erica Knorr, Zane Christmyer, Zach Karounos, Piper Johnson, Regan Gillespie, Hannah Evanik, Jackie Dipietro and Vishal Forde, who all attended.
NSF Grant Awarded
Professor Kurt Kolasinski was awarded $168,927 by the National Science Foundation for a research projected titled Regenerative Electroless Etching for the Production of Si Nanostructures. The grant will help to fund student researchers as they investigate ReEtching and MACE for the production of porous silicon, silicon nanowires and hierarchical silicon nanostructures. Recent results have been published in ACS Nano, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces not once but twice, and Surfaces.
Best Poster Award - ACS YCC 2018
Bret Unger was awarded the Best Undergraduate Poster Prize and the Drexel University Best Inorganic Poster Prize at the ACS Younger Chemists Committee Poster Session (ACS YCC 2018) at Temple University for work titled "Metal Assisted Catalytic Etching (MACE) of Silicon: Which Way is Up?" His co-authors were Shannon Knight, Teresa Lee, Dr. Shawn Pfeil and Prof. KW Kolasinski.
Best Poster Award - PSST 2018
Shannon Knight (B.S. and B.S.Ed. 2017) was awarded the Best Poster Prize at the Porous Semiconductor Science and Technology 2018 Conference in La Grande Motte, France for work titled "Crystallographically defined silicon macropore membranes." Her co-authors were Bret Unger and Prof. KW Kolasinski.
The National Institute of Justice
Joshi research group publishes the first Library of Microcrystalline Tests for Novel Psychoactive Substances as a product of a research grant awarded by the National Institute of Justice.
Philadelphia Section Award
Professor Kurt Kolasinski has been named the 2017 recipient of the Philadelphia Section Award presented by the Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society. This Award recognizes an individual "who, by conspicuous scientific achievement through research, has made important contributions to man's knowledge and thereby aided the public appreciation of the profession."
New John R. and Laurie S. Townsend Chemistry Scholarship (since 2018)
The John R. and Laurie S. Townsend Chemistry Scholarship is to be awarded to a student who majors in one of the five chemistry degrees program with at least 60 credit hours and 22 chemistry credits completed at WCU and a GPA of 3.25 or above. Applications can be found here.
New Technical Director of the Center for Microanalysis & Imaging Research & Training (CMIRT)
Dr. Samantha Shumlas has been named the new Technical Director of the CMIRT.
Interactive Periodic Table of the Elements
We celebrated the installation and dedication of our Interactive Periodic Table of the Elements, Friday April 7th. Here's the list of the contents.
Joel M. Ressner Scholarship in Chemistry
New this year: Joel M. Ressner Scholarship in Chemistry & Joel M. Ressner Scholarship for Minority Students in Chemistry
- Two new chemistry scholarships are to be awarded to chemistry majors. For more information, visit the Chemistry Scholarship website.
The 2015 University Distinguished Research Award
Awarded to Dr. Felix Goodson, the award recognizes a faculty member who has made a significant contribution to the scholarship of a University community through the acquisition of external grants from peer-reviewed funding sources.
The 2015 Trustees' Achievement Award
Awarded to Dr. Kurt Kolasinski, the Trustees' Achievement Award recognizes distinguished scholarly and creative work by a current West Chester University faculty member: specific, original contributions to a discipline (as in a research study, monograph, scholarly paper, literary work, musical composition, or work of art), or a significant collective body of work.