Kovac Elected Senator of Phi Beta Kappa Society

October 27, 2015 by newframe

Jeff Kovac, Professor of Chemistry, was elected one of the 13 senators of the Phi Beta Kappa Society on October 9th at the Society’s 44th Triennial Council in Denver, Colorado. The Society is the nation’s oldest academic honor society founded December 5, 1776.

Senators serve as directors who guide the Society on policy matters that are carried out by the national office of Phi Beta Kappa, and set the direction for the Society’s future.  The normal Senate term of office is six years.  Four people are returning to the Senate for a second term. Kovac is among the nine who are new to the Phi Beta Kappa Senate. “Being elected to the Phi Beta Kappa senate gives me an opportunity to have a larger impact nationally as an advocate for the liberal arts.” Kovac said.

“Phi Beta Kappa is very fortunate that these distinguished individuals are willing to volunteer their time to serve as Senators,” said John Churchill, Secretary of the Society. “Their skills and expertise will enhance those of our current Senators. They bring a variety of perspectives for assessing the best ways to advance the values of liberal arts and sciences education in America. I look forward to working with them.”

Kovac earned a Ph.D. in 1974 from Yale University. After completing two years as a postdoctoral research associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he joined the Department of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1976. During Kovac’s career here at the University of Tennessee, he has served as the director of General Chemistry from 1999 to 2011, the director of the Governor’s School for the Sciences and Engineering, and the director of the College Scholars program. Kovac also directed Tennessee Science Olympiad State Tournament for four years. His contributions were recognized both locally and nationally. Kovac was named AAAS Fellow in 2001.

The University of Tennessee’s Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, officially known as Epsilon of Tennessee, was formally installed in 1964 and has more than 120 members as of 2013. Kovac currently serves as the Chapter President and one of the five judges for the Society’s $10,000 National Book Awards in Science.

Hazari Magic Show Featured on Channel 8

October 25, 2015 by newframe

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) — Dr. Al Hazari is a man who knows how to make an entrance.

The retired UT chemistry professor has spent the past 25 years putting on science shows for audiences all over East Tennessee.

Read the full article on local8now website

Chemistry Department Searching for Assistant Professor in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

October 22, 2015 by newframe

For search details and how to apply, please visit positions page.

Also open are positions of Lecturer and Advanced Laboratory Director and Technical Director. Find more on positions page.

Chemistry PEER Scholar Presented at NOBCChE

October 7, 2015 by newframe

Leondra Lawson, a second year graduate student in the Dadmun’s Group, and a Scholar of Program for Excellence & Equity in Research, attended 2015 Conference of National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers held in Orlando Florida from Sept. 21 to 25.

Lawson gave an oral presentation on her recent research, titled “Enhancing the Cyanoacrylate Fuming Method for Optimal Retrieval of Latent Prints.” The project assesses the impact of temperature and humidity on the cyanoacrylate fuming method, a technique used by forensic scientists to visualize fingerprints. “The purpose of my research is to identify the mechanism of the chemical reactions that occur at a molecular level. This method is governed by the anionic polymerization of ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA).” Lawson said, “We have begun the research to focus on the coupling effects of humidity and temperature, and subsequently, we will observe the effects of various surfaces on the polymerization of ethyl cyanoacrylate.”

Although only a second year Ph.D. student, Lawson is an experienced presenter and has presented at the Organization’s previous conference as well as the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students. Lawson also enjoyed the different sessions offered during this conference. “I had a great time at NOBCChE!” Lawson said, “One of the special sessions, ‘STEM’s Impact on 21st Century Forensic Science,’ was of particular interest to me because of my decade long desire to work in forensics.  The session presented a variety of careers that are available to chemists with a desire to work in the forensics field. ”

Also attended conference was Dr. Sekeenia Haynes, administrator for Program for Excellence & Equity in Research. Haynes was impressed with Lawson’s presentation. “She (Leondra) began speaking at a rapid pace but slowed down at a comfortable rate once prompt by someone in the audience. She then took a breath and with clarity presented a quality presentation. Leondra was professional, poised and addressed the questions from the audience with confidence.” Haynes commented.

Program for Excellence & Equity in Research housed in the Department of Biochemistry & Cellular & Molecular Biology is an initiative to increase the number of exceptional underrepresented students graduating with doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The Program seeks to advance a doctoral student’s competitiveness and interest in their chosen career field by offering professional development, ambitious research and dynamic mentoring opportunities.

The Program encourages its scholars to present at national conferences by providing funding support and preparation workshops. Multiple chemistry graduates student including Lawson and Tanei Ricks, both the Program scholars, have benefited from it. “Presenting at national conferences allows an opportunity for PEER scholars to present themselves and their research to the academic community.” Haynes said, “The feedback from Scientists with similar interests could prove to be most valuable… National conferences is also a great place for Scholars to meet new colleagues and expand their mentoring network.  Establishing and nurturing relationships with a diverse set of mentors can lead to opportunities (I.e., post-doctoral position) and resources that facilitate in advancing the Scholars career.”

With funding on the Dadmun Group’s latent prints project renewed, Lawson is expected to continue her work. Earlier this year, Lawson published her first-authored paper, titled “Binding, fractionation, and distribution of Cs, Co, and Sr in a US coastal soil under saturated and field capacity moisture regimes,” on Journal of Soils and Sediments.