Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry courses at UWF are typically small, allowing our instructors to pay attention to individual students. Nevertheless, our laboratories are inordinately well-equipped with modern instrumentation. We pride ourselves on giving students hands-on training with state-of-the-art instrumentation, so our graduates are extremely well-prepared for the job market and professional or graduate school.

• Undergraduate Programs

UWF Chemistry Secures Grants for Energy Innovation and Workforce Training

Dr. Jacob Tracy has secured nearly $ 90,000 in grants from the NSF and the NextEra Energy Foundation to support groundbreaking energy storage research and hands-on training for students, veterans, and local teachers. From the classroom to the lab, this work is helping to build the future of Florida’s energy workforce.

Link to full story: UWF chemistry professor awarded grants to advance energy storage research and workforce training

Elizabeth S. Calhoun Endowment for Industrial Careers

A $150,000 gift to the University of West Florida established the Elizabeth S. Calhoun Endowment for Industrial Careers and named the Elizabeth S. Calhoun Analytical Lab, which will benefit undergraduate chemistry majors in UWF's Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering. The endowment will focus on supporting women and Pell-eligible students.

Link to full story: UWF announces $150,000 gift to establish the Elizabeth S. Calhoun Endowment for Industrial Careers

ACS Overcoming Challenges Award

Mikayla M. Swatscheno, a University of West Florida chemistry student, was honored on August 19 at ACS Fall 2025 with the Overcoming Challenges Award for her perseverance in education, leadership in research—including a stint at Oak Ridge—and her commitment to mentoring others. She plans to pursue a PhD and a future career as an organic chemistry professor. Link to the full story: Swatscheno Receives Overcoming Challenges Award

NIH U-RISE Scholars Program

The University of West Florida has earned an approximately $1.7 million, five-year renewal grant from the National Institutes of Health to mentor and train the next generation of biomedical scientists. The undergraduate research training initiative for student enhancement, known as U-RISE, scholars program promotes broader participation in the biomedical research workforce by expanding the pool of well-trained scientists earning a Ph.D.

Link to full story: UWF awarded a nearly $1.7 million grant to train biomedical students

UWF Chemistry Student Chosen as ACS Scholar

Congratulations to Brianna Perea, who is our latest American Chemical Society Scholar! Brianna joins other ACS Scholars and UWF alumnae, Matisha Dorman (UWF c/o 2016), now employed as a Lithography Engineer at Intel, and Tia Jarvis (UWF c/o 2014) R&D Chemist at Sterling Pharma Solutions. Since 2012, the UWF Chemistry Department has had 15 students selected for the ACS Scholars program. The ACS Scholars program awards renewable scholarships to undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups in the chemical sciences who are majoring in chemistry-related disciplines and intending to pursue chemistry-related careers. Selected recipients are awarded up to $5,000 per academic year.

UWF Chem Club Receives ACS Student Chapter Award

In spring 2024, the UWF student Chemistry Club was recognized by the national American Chemical Society as an "outstanding" chapter - the highest designation recognized by the organization. Each year the Chem Club hosts visiting speakers and participates in the annual Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering tailgate by organizing a booth for attendees to tie-dye chemistry t-shirts.

Dr. Frank and Dale Silver Distinguished Chemistry Endowment

The UWF Chemistry department recently received a $100,000 gift from the late Dr. Frank Silver to establish the Dr. Frank and Dale Silver Distinguished Chemistry Endowment The endowment will provide operational and scholarship support to chemistry students. Dr. Frank Silver was a longtime supporter and friend of the department. “Dr. Silver supported our department for decades and shared our commitment to helping students achieve their best,” said Dr. Karen Molek, chair of the Department of Chemistry. “He saw firsthand the difference his support makes in student success.” Before he passed away, Frank said, “At the end of my long career at Monsanto, I spent 10 years responsible for coordinated research at many U.S. and international universities. I must say that the care and support for undergraduate students by the UWF Chemistry Department are second to none.”

Link to full story: Frank and Dale Silver Distinguished Chemistry Endowment

Support chemistry students with the Frank and Dale Silver Distinguished Chemistry Endowment