Professor Mays Receives Herman Mark Senior Scholar Award

March 21, 2011 by chemweb

Professor Jimmy Mays is selected as one of the three 2011 recipients of the Herman F. Mark Scholar Awards of the Polymer Chemistry Division of ACS. The Awards will be given during 2011 ACS Annual Meeting in Denver, CO this August.

The Awards were established in 2006 and are sponsored by Elsevier, the publishers of the journal Polymer. It is founded to recognize excellence in basic or applied research and leadership in polymer science by scientists of all ages. The awards are usually presented biennially at the Fall meeting of the Polymer Chemistry Division.

Professor Mays is internationally recognized as a leader in synthesis of polymers and copolymers having tailored architectures. He is presently involved in synthesis of tailored polymers for such diverse applications as new and improved rubbers, low cost fuel cell membranes, and improved polymer-based batteries.

Professor Mays received his B.S. degree in polymer science from the University of Southern Mississippi and his Ph.D. degree in polymer science at the University of Akron. He then worked in industry for five years with Hercules, Inc., prior to joining the chemistry faculty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Mays moved to Tennessee in 2002 to accept a joint appointment at the University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“The late Herman Mark was one of the pioneers of polymer science, and it is a great honor to receive this prestigious award that bears his name.” While feeling hornored to be given this award, Professor Mays expressed his gratitude towards those whom he has collaborated and worked with, “In reality this award does not so much recognize my personal contributions to polymer science as it recognizes those of the numerous students, postdocs, and collaborators that I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. I also thank Professor Mark Dadmun for nominating me for this award”.

The award consists of a plaque and an honorarium of $1000, which may be used to support travel expenses to the ACS Meeting including the Herman F. Mark Symposium, where each Mark Scholar is expected to present a lecture.

Michael Peretich Gives Seminar Talk at JMU

March 1, 2011 by chemweb

Chemistry Graduate Student Michael Peretich from Dr. Barnes‘ group was invited to give a seminar talk at James Madison University (JMU), his Alma Mater, on Friday, Jan. 28, 2011.

Michael’s talk “Targeted Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity of Nanostructured, Single-Site, Heterogeneous Catalysts Containing Isolated W(VI) or Zr(IV) Centers” discussed one challenge facing the catalysis community — the design and controlled synthesis of specific catalytically active sites. Peretich’s work focuses on the targeted synthesis and characterization of two types of materials: (1) nanostructured silicate supports and (2) nanostructured, single site, heterogeneous catalysts that contain isolated W(VI) or Zr(IV) centers.

Hosted as part of JMU’s regular semimar series, Michael’s talk was attended by approximately 60 people including JMU Chemistry faculty, the dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, and JMU Chemistry majors.

Michael was excited to be invited back to his Alma Mater, “I set a goal when I was an undergraduate at JMU that I would give a seminar at JMU towards the end of my graduate studies” said Michael. He also considered this a good opportunity to prepare for future job interviews. “Most jobs require each candidate to give a seminar during the interview process, so I used this opportunity to refine my presentation.  It also helped me organize parts of my dissertation, which I’m in the process of writing”.

Born and raised in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Michael graduated from Stafford Senior High School in 2002 and completed his B.S. in Chemistry (ACS certified) and Mathematics from JMU in 2006. His honor thesis was selected as one of the top honors theses at JMU and received the Phi Beta Kappa Award for Outstanding Honors Project.  Prior to joining Dr. Barnes’ group in 2006, Michael completed a summer research internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee in 2004, and worked with Dr. R. Gregory Downing at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) the following summer. At UT, Michael conducted research under the direction of Prof. Craig Barnes, studying the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity of nanostructured, single site, heterogeneous catalysts and nanostructured supports.

This semester, Michael successfully defended his dissertation “Targeted Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Silicate Building Block Supports and Heterogeneous Catalysts with Tungsten(VI) or Zirconium(IV) Centers”.

After graduation, Michael will be working as a chemist in the Fuels and Lubricants Chemistry Lab, a civilian position with the United States Navy, specifically the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), in Patuxent River, MD.

Dr. Schweitzer named Quest Scholar of the Week

January 28, 2011 by chemweb

George Schweitzer, Alumni Distinguished Service Professor in Chemistry, has been an active member of the faculty in chemistry for over 60 years. He was the first Macebearer for the University in 1961.

Schweitzer has an active, funded research group in the area of lanthanide research, and most recently he has collaborated with researchers in the Department of Nuclear Engineering to develop new neutron detectors. He and a former student of his, Dr. Lester Pesterfield, published a book entitled The Aqueous Chemistry of the Elements with Oxford University Press in 2010. The first printing of this book has already sold out.

Visit the Quest Gallery at Trace, UT’s digital archive, to access publications of other Quest Scholars of the Week.

Dr. Xue named AAAS Fellow

January 25, 2011 by chemweb

Ziling Xue, professor of chemistry, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for distinguished contributions to the field of inorganic-organometallic chemistry, particularly for synthesis of metal complexes and mechanistic studies of the formation of metal carbenes.

Irene Abia won YCC Leadership Development Award

November 30, 2010 by chemweb

Chemistry Graduate Students Irene Abia from Dr. Baker‘s group received Leadership Development Award from Younger Chemists Committee (YCC) of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

The award will support Abia to attend the YCC Leadership Development Workshop. This YCC program recognizes emerging leaders in the profession and helps them prepare for the leadership opportunities at volunteer organizations, such as ACS, and in their professional careers.

Abia will attend the workshop from Friday, January 21, 2011, to Sunday, January 23, 2011. The workshop is held in conjunction with the ACS Leadership Institute, in Fort Worth, Texas. During the workshop, participants will engage in discussions about the characteristics and behaviors of effective leaders, identify leadership skills, develop a personal leadership development plan, and learn about leadership opportunities in the American Chemical Society.

Irene Esah Abia (Angeh) was born in Buea, Cameroon. After graduating from Bilingual Grammar School Buea in 1997, she attended the University of Buea where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. In 2003, she enrolled into the Medical University of Southern Africa, South Africa where she obtained an Honors Bachelor degree in Chemistry. From 2003 to 2006, she went on to study at the University of Pretoria, South Africa where she conducted research with Professor Kobus Eloff earning a Master’s degree in Medicinal Chemistry. In the fall of 2006, she moved to the United States and joined the research group of Professor David C. Baker at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where she is conducting research in the synthesis of carbohydrates. Prior to this award, Abia also received CIBA Young Scientist Award.

Dr. Jimmy Mays awarded Navigator Awards

November 15, 2010 by chemweb

Eric Dobson, CEO of TrakLok Corp., was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Technology 2020’s Innovation Valley Technology Council.

Dobson is the former CEO of Navigational Sciences Inc. He co-founded TrakLok in 2008 to develop and commercialize both GeoLock hardware and Traklog software to manage container security and provide the industry’s first complete intermodal tracking security system. Earlier this year, Dobson acquired local company TeleSensors to provide electronic design and development, and wireless sensor platform.

Also honored with the council’s Navigator Awards were:

n MS Technology of Oak Ridge, Technology Company of the Year. Founded in 1994 as a Tech 2020 incubator client, MS Technology began building its business with microwave melting technology developed at the Y-12 National Security Complex. A graduate of Y-12’s mentor protege program in 2008, MS Technology employs 160 individuals.

n Jimmy Mays, a University of Tennessee chemistry professor, and Lee Bzorgi, director of the National Security Technology Center at Y-12, Pathfinder Research Entrepreneur of the Year.

“Dr. Mays and Dr. Bzorgi have a distinguished history of innovation and entrepreneurship,” said John Hopkins, the Tech Council’s chairman. “And while their accomplishments and awards in transforming ideas into useful products are tremendous, the work they do to educate and mentor area teachers and students is also critically important in building a sustainable entrepreneurial eco-system.”

n Materials and Chemistry Laboratory Inc., Community Spirit Award. Barry Stephenson serves as president and CEO of the company that supports technology-based educational programs at Oak Ridge schools and Roane State Community College.

n Sam Hart, Knoxville Chamber’s technology and manufacturing consultant, Member of the Year. “Sam is one of those unique individuals that goes above and beyond the call of duty to help out with any request, problem or task,” Hopkins said.

Dai Named ORNL’s Top Scientist by UT-Battelle

November 15, 2010 by chemweb

OAK RIDGE, Tenn., — Sheng Dai, professor at the Chemistry Department and researcher in the Chemical Sciences Division of the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has earned the UT-Battelle Director’s Award for Outstanding Individual Accomplishment in Science and Technology. He was honored by ORNL Director Thom Mason for “world-class leadership in the synthesis and application of novel functional porous materials, nanomaterials and ionic liquids to energy-relevant problems.” Dai, who was also named this year’s distinguished scientist at UT-Battelle’s annual Awards Night, is an internationally recognized leader in the design, synthesis and application of mesoporous materials and ionic liquids to problems related to the nation’s energy challenges. Dai was cited for his innovative breakthroughs in advanced materials that can be applied toward technologies ranging from improved batteries for electric vehicles to catalytic systems for water purification.  He leads his division’s nanomaterials chemistry group and is also a task co-leader for the catalysis research effort in the multiscale functionality group at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences. (http://www.ornl.gov/news)

Horton and Njiojob won 2010 BoV Graduate Student Poster Competition

November 13, 2010 by chemweb

Chemistry Graduate Students Rebecca Horton from Dr. Frank Vogt‘s group and Costyl Njiojob from Dr. David Baker‘s group won 2010 Board of Visitors Graduate Students Poster Competition.

2010 Department of Chemistry Board of Visitors Annual Meeting was held on Nov. 12 and 13 in Buehler Hall 511. Followed by a report and discussion of the news, changes and development inside the department,, the Board of Visitors members served as judges for this year’s Graduate Student Poster Competition.

Eleven groups participated in the competition. The winners Horton and Njiojob are invited to give presentations during the Department’s annual student presentation on April 14, 2011.

“I feel honored to have the opportunity to give a seminar to my peers.
The poster session and seminar are great ways to practice good communication skills and what better way to do so than in front of the faculty and fellow students.” Horton said.

Horton came to UT from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN.  Her recent achievements in research involve growing microalgae under different environmental conditions along with sample preparation methods of species for spectroscopic analyses.

“I am planning for a December 2011 graduation.” Horton mentioned her plan after graduation. “Upon graduating, I would like to work in an industrial setting and later transition into academia at a small college. By having the perspective of both my graduate career and also the industrial experience, I feel I would be better prepared to mentor students on their chosen career paths.”

The other poster winner Costyl Njiojob, a native Cameroonian, was born in Nigeria (Plateau State) where he received elementary education. Njiojob then moved back to Cameroon with his family and completed high school there. In 1999, Njiojob entered the University of Buea to pursue Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. After graduation, he remained in the university and conducted a year of graduate research in Natural product chemistry. Njiojob joined Dr. Baker’s group at UT Chemistry Department with a concentration in organic synthesis in 2006.

Njiojob expressed his gratitude toward people inside the Department, “…it feels like a recognition to all the efforts being put in everyday to do research and all what I can say is thanks to everyone in the department who has been of great help to me since I started graduate studies”.

Njiojob is expected to graduate in August 2011 and would like to continue with his research in scientific community.

Besides Horton and Njiojob, the Board also suggested that honorable mention should be made of Michael Peretich from Dr. Barnes group and Belinda Lady from Dr. Foister’s group.

DOE Supports Project Effort to Use Wood as Renewable Energy Source

October 28, 2010 by chemweb

The Department of Energy recently awarded more than $1 million to a research project, “Imaging Lignin Degradation,” for a three-year period to a research team including George Kabalka, PhD, Professor, Robert H. Cole Neuroscience Endowed Chair and Director of Research, Radiology at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, and investigators at Pennsylvania State University and Wesleyan University. Their research aims to identify novel enzymes that can be used to convert lignocellulosic material, found in wood, into bioethanol as an energy resource. The project will involve radioligand development and PET imaging, Dr. Kabalka’s area of expertise.

Lignocellulosic material is the most abundant renewable carbon source in the biosphere, however, it is encased in a lignin barrier and the barrier’s chemical recalcitrance is a major obstacle in the efficient utilization of lignocellulosic material. Lignin peroxidase, a lignin-degrading enzyme, was discovered 25 years ago but has proven to be one of the most expensive parts of converting lignocellulosic material to bioethanol. Since that time, the known list of enzymes capable of degrading lignin has not significantly increased, and this research team hopes to identify previously uncharacterized enzymes in the degradation and further utilization of lignin. The team has noted that lignin degradation occurs in complex environmental niches that are yet to be characterized, including within wood-feeding insects and in marine environments, and they hypothesize these niches contain microbial consortia that are distinct from the pure-culture systems where the peroxidases were discovered.

The research team plans to use near infrared fluorescence imaging to detect the initial biological depolymerization reactions of lignin. They then will use positron emission tomography to detect the initial biological depolymerization reactions of lignin and the subsequent degradation of the aromatic monomeric units. Using these methods, the researchers can potentially establish the presence and location of lignin degradation in previously unexplored ecological niches, providing the foundation for discovery of uncharacterized enzymes involved in lignin degradation and ultimately leading to improvements in lignocellulosic biomass utilization.

The primary investigator in this project is Ming Tien, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, with Dr. Kabalka and Erika Taylor, PhD, Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, participating as co-investigators.

Musfeldt Elected as NHMFL User Committee Chair

September 28, 2010 by chemweb

Dr. Janice Musfeldt, Professor of Chemistry, was elected Chair of the Users Committee of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, effective January 2011.

Established by the National Science Foundation Cooperative Agreement, the NHMFL’s Users Committee represents the laboratory’s broad multidisciplinary user community and advises the lab’s leadership on all issues affecting users of the facilities.

Musfeldt joined the faculty in 2001. Since then, she has made many contributions to the field of spectroscopy of materials under extreme conditions. She is particularly well known for forwarding high magnetic field spectroscopies of complex solids, although she is also interested in low temperature, high pressure, small size, and frustration effects in functional materials. Her scientific work is extensively cited, and she is in great demand as an invited speaker. Musfeldt serves the materials community via extensive conference, school, and workshop organization.