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Radio Show Features UMW Chemistry Professor
Leanna Giancarlo, chair and associate professor of chemistry at the University of Mary Washington, will discuss issues surrounding boosting student performance in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, during an interview scheduled to air on the “With Good Reason” public radio program. The program, “STEM Education in America,” will air beginning Saturday, Jan. 26.
Giancarlo, one of four experts in the program, will explore the negative stereotypes of scientists in pop culture. The program also will feature Linda Rosen, the chief executive officer of Change the Education, Robert Tai, associate professor in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education at the University of Virginia and Sevan Terzian, associate professor and associate director of graduate studies at the University of Florida’s College of Education.
Giancarlo earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, after receiving a bachelor’s of science in chemistry from the University of Scranton. Giancarlo is a member of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, the Virginia Academy of Science and the American Chemical Society. A recipient of UMW’s Alumni Association Outstanding Young Faculty Member Award, she also received a School of Arts and Sciences Dissertation Fellowship while at the University of Pennsylvania.
“With Good Reason” airs weekly in Fredericksburg on Sundays from 1-2 p.m. on Radio IQ 88.3 Digital. To listen from outside of the Fredericksburg area, a complete list of air times and links to corresponding radio stations can be found at http://withgoodreasonradio.org/when-to-listen/.
“With Good Reason” is the only statewide public radio program in Virginia. It hosts scholars from Virginia’s public colleges and universities who discuss the latest in research, pressing social issues and the curious and whimsical. “With Good Reason” is produced for the Virginia Higher Education Broadcasting Consortium by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and is broadcast in partnership with public radio stations in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
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News release prepared by: Sarah Tagg
Nicole Crowder Presents at National Conference
Nicole Crowder, assistant professor of chemistry, presented the results of her research at the 244th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, held in Philadelphia, Penn., August 19 to 23.
Her presentation, in the Inorganic Catalysis session, is entitled “Characterization and Quantitative Determination of Surface Loading of Phosphonate Monolayers on Copper for Electrocatalytic Applications.” These results are part of her larger research project that aims to artificially replicate photosynthesis to use carbon dioxide as a carbon feedstock material.
Kelli Slunt
The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad selected Professor of Chemistry Kelli Slunt as the first-year college mentor for 2011. Slunt will join a three-person mentor team to conduct a two-week study camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy for 20 high performing chemistry students, and she will participate in the International Chemistry Olympiad in Ankara, Turkey, in July 2011.
In addition, Slunt was recognized with the J. Christopher Bill Outstanding Faculty Service Award for 2010 for her contributions to the university as well as involvement and leadership in the community. Read the news release.