Faculty in the News
UWF Department of Chemistry faculty in the news.
Cable Guy To HIV Researcher, Talk About A Life Changer!
Joshua Brown, a 2012 UWF graduate, thought that he was destined to work in telecommunications after graduating high school. Encouragement from UWF professors and curiosity led him not only pursue an M.D./Ph.D, but to also conduct cutting edge research on the control of HIV. Read more about Joshua's story of impact.
Chemistry success starts at UWF
Two students who were part of the first group of UWF Chemistry Scholars have recently earned their doctorate in biochemistry. Janae Baptiste, ’13 and Josh Brown, ’12 both attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County for their doctoral studies. Read more about UWF chemistry success.
UWF chemistry department achieves high acceptance rate for students attending top 25 professional doctorate programs
The UWF Department of Chemistry recently announced an 88 percent acceptance rate among graduates who applied to doctorate programs. Of those who applied, 43 percent were accepted to top 25 ranked programs. Read more about chemistry graduates success in doctorate programs.
UWF, IHMC to host Olvera de la Cruz for William D. Smart Seminar Series in Chemistry
The University of West Florida and the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) will host renowned researcher and educator Dr. Monica Olvera de la Cruz for two lectures March 30-31 as part of the William D. Smart Seminar Series in Chemistry. Visit the UWF Newsroom to learn more.
UWF chemistry student accepted into top-ranked graduate visitation programs
Aaron Mena, a senior chemistry major at the University of West Florida, was recently accepted into visitation programs at three of the top-ranked graduate chemistry programs in the United States. https://news.uwf.edu/uwf-chemistry-student-accepted-into-top-ranked-graduate-visitation-programs/
Three UWF chemistry students receive National American Chemical Society scholarships, named ACS Scholars for 2016-17
Three students from the University of West Florida Department of Chemistry were recently selected to join the National American Chemical Society Scholars Program. A total of 12 UWF students have been named ACS Scholars since 2013, receiving more than $100,000 in renewable scholarship funds. https://news.uwf.edu/three-uwf-chemistry-students-receive-national-american-chemical-society-scholarships-named-acs-scholars-for-2016-17/
UWF chemistry professor Dr. Karen Molek receives distinguished mentoring award
The American Chemical Society Scholars Program has selected University of West Florida Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Karen Molek as the 2016 recipient of the Zaida C. Morales‐Martinez Prize for Mentoring. https://news.uwf.edu/uwf-chemistry-professor-dr-karen-molek-receives-distinguished-mentoring-award/
William D. Smart Seminar Series in Chemistry presents John Hartwig at UWF
The University of West Florida and the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition will host world-renowned organic and organometallic chemist professor Dr. John Hartwig on Feb. 23, 2016, for two lectures as part of the William D. Smart Seminar Series in Chemistry. https://news.uwf.edu/william-d-smart-seminar-series-in-chemistry-presents-john-hartwig-at-uwf/
UWF Chemistry Scholars explore post-graduate opportunities at MIT
Three University of West Florida Chemistry Scholars students recently attended the DOW-MIT ACCESS program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://news.uwf.edu/uwf-chemistry-scholars-explore-post-graduate-opportunities-at-mit/
UWF chemistry faculty receive funding
In 2016, Drs. Karen Molek and Michael Huggins received an S-STEM grant from the National Science Foundation for $649,888 to support 28 academically talented, financially disadvantaged students. A component of this program will pilot a four-year, eight semester STEM for Life Seminar Series for 28 S-STEM Scholars and 32 CSE Scholars. In that same year, Drs. Alan Schrock, Allison Schwartz and Matthew Schwartz received funding from the National Science Foundation to create a Geo Scholars program supporting 5 students/year in research.
UWF chemistry department prepares graduates for success
Graduates of the University of West Florida’s Chemistry Department know a great deal about statistics, and now their own numbers are speaking for themselves. https://news.uwf.edu/uwf-chemistry-department-prepares-graduates-for-success/
UWF to merge Biology and Chemistry in experimental pilot program
The University of West Florida has been selected as one of 17 universities to participate in the SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) program, jointly administered by the University of Pittsburgh and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science Education division. The program will commence at UWF in Fall 2015. https://news.uwf.edu/uwf-merge-biology-chemistry-experimental-pilot-program/
UWF chemistry professor receives prestigious Cottrell College Science Award
Dr. Tanay Kersharwani, University of West Florida assistant professor in Chemistry, was one of 33 scientists to be presented the Cottrell College Science Award by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. This award covers a wide range of research in astronomy, chemistry and physics. Dr. Kesharwani was recognized for his project, Development of Environmentally Benign Electrophilic Chlorocyclization Reactions Using Table Salt and CuSO4 for the Synthesis of Diverse Heterocycles. https://news.uwf.edu/uwf-chemistry-professor-receives-prestigious-cottrell-college-science-award/
UWF chemistry faculty receive $930k National Institutes of Health grant
The University of West Florida was recently selected to receive a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant totaling approximately $930,000, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Karen Molek, assistant professor and director of Chemistry Scholars, and Dr. Michael Huggins, professor and interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The award money will be distributed over the next five years. https://news.uwf.edu/uwf-chemistry-faculty-receive-930k-national-institute-health-grant/
