The Virginia Tech Department of Chemistry has a rich history, a strong international reputation, and a bright future. Our curricula provide the educational foundation for all Virginia Tech science and engineering students. Our undergraduate and graduate degree programs prepare society's future scientists. Our alumni are gainfully employed in the industrial, government, and academic sectors.
Morris Honored with COS Diversity Award
(April 26, 2013) Prof. Amanda Morris has received the
College of Science (COS) Diversity Award for 2012-2013 for her contributions to diversity within the COS and at other levels in the university. The selection committee applauded her efforts to recruit diverse graduate students and faculty, for being an active and supportive mentor to underrepresented students and faculty in COS and elsewhere in the university, and for tireless efforts on behalf of the LGBT Office/Caucus and the wider LGBT community. (
more on Morris).
McGrath Receives G. Charles Overberger Award
(April 3, 2013) Prof. James E. McGrath received the
Charles G. Overberger International Prize for Excellence in Polymer Science and Engineering. This is a biennial award that “recognizes and encourages accomplishments of unusual merit in the field of basic or applied polymer science.” Prof. McGrath will present his award address at a symposium organized in his honor at the Fall 2013 ACS Meeting in Indianapolis. (
more on McGrath ...)
Turner Named to Editorial Boards
(Feb 21, 2013) Professor S. Richard Turner, Director of the Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute (
MII), was recently named to the editorial boards of the American Chemical Society journals
Macromolecules and
ACS Macro Letters. Turner is also Editor for the Americas of Chemistry and Synthesis for
Polymer and serves on the editorial boards of
Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry and
Polymer Reviews. (
more on Turner ...)
Hemp Develops Cancer Drug Delivery Vehicle
(Jan 28, 2013) Sean Hemp, a graduate student in the
Long Group, has been recognized for his contributions to new therapies that target genetic diseases and cancer. Hemp creates polymers to deliver nucleic acids, molecules that carry genetic information within DNA and RNA. Effective uptake of nucleic acids facilitates the delivery of genetic code that may correct malfunctioning DNA or eliminate mutating cells, such as cancer. (
More info here.)
Long Named Associate Dean in COS
(Jan 25, 2013) Prof. Gary L. Long has been named the Associate Dean for Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Science. Long will be developing a sustainable process for selecting and awarding scholarships, leading interdisciplinary curricular development, and formulating assessment policies for recruiting and placement programs. He will also guide the development of forthcoming undergraduate degree programs in systems biology, neuroscience, and computational science. (
more on Long)
Susanne Dana Honored for High School Teaching
(December 7, 2012) Susanne M. Dana (Chem BS, 1991; MS, 1993) received the Southeast Regional Award for Excellence in High School Teaching from the ACS at the recent SERMACS meeting in Raleigh (NC). Dana, who has been a chemistry teacher at Blacksburg High School since 2000, earned the award for the quality of her instruction, her ability to inspire students both inside and outside the classroom, and her leadership in chemistry instruction. Congratulations, Susanne!
