WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR
The last time I wrote for our newsletter, I was wishing you all a prosperous 2020. Given everything that has happened since then (yikes!) perhaps it is best to take a break from wishes, and instead practice a little bit of gratitude. To all our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the Department of Chemistry, thank you! With your help, we have been able to keep the Department running smoothly in 2020, both virtually as well as in-person.
Over the spring and summer, we transitioned classes to new models, revived research projects, came up with new ways of connecting with one another, and took important steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This fall, almost two thirds of our classes, including all our teaching labs, have in-person components. To make that happen, staff and instructors showed amazing inventiveness and grace in dealing with a constantly changing public health situation.
Over the last several months, chemists in the department have stepped up to help us understand how the coronavirus is transmitted, how it can be detected, and how lifesaving drugs can be made more efficiently, and that is on top of the continuation of a broad and internationally recognized research program, spanning molecules to materials and prediction to production.
Building up our infrastructure continues, shifting from the Chemistry Research Building back to Chemistry and Yates Hall. The final touches on the new Cannabinoid Research Center are happening as I write. Renovated teaching labs have welcomed chemistry majors taking the new general chemistry lab. Construction of a computational chemistry suite is underway.
As you know, this semester looks a bit different. The Chemistry Club’s annual Halloween show will be virtual, but on the other hand, the educational fun will reach an even broader audience than before. We will continue to host world-renowned speakers for seminars and have them educate our community via Teams or Zoom. Our Chemistry Graduate Student Organization also continues to find ways to keep students engaged and connected.
As we finish off the remainder of 2020, I look forward to seeing the continued flexibility and creativity of our chemistry community as we navigate un-chartered waters together.
Sincerely,
Matt Shores,
Chair
FEATURED NEWS
Annual Chemistry Halloween Show for Kids Goes Virtual
Our Chemistry Club is working hard to bring kids of all ages the same excitement, education and Halloween fun this year. They have created how-to videos on making your own spooky experiments at home (live on Thursday!) and will do a Zoom session for kids to visit with mad scientists this Friday.
Research team with expertise in virology, chemistry and chemical engineering inks licensing deal for COVID-19 viral detection test
The team has licensed their viral RNA-testing platform to Quara Devices, a startup company specializing in diagnostic biosensors.
Enter, cautiously: CSU study looks at how the performing arts can return in a healthy manner during COVID-19 pandemic with help from chemist, Charles Henry
How far apart should the trumpet section be from the trombone section at my first band rehearsal during COVID-19?
CSU chemist seeks to build a better way to make COVID-19 drug, using light
Making the in-demand drug Remdesivir is costly, inefficient and can be hazardous. Garret Miyake’s lab has a “radical” technology that might be able to streamline the process.
CSU research capabilities and possibilities expand with new Analytical Resources Core facility
Three CSU facilities merge to create the new ARC under the Office of the Vice President for Research.
DEPARTMENT NEWS
Chemist and atmospheric scientist, A.R. Ravishankara, is part of team suggesting new steps in ending ozone layer depletion
Ozone layer researchers identify potential steps for the further success of a three-decade long treaty, the Montreal Protocol.
Scientists reveal whole new world of indoor home air quality
In their first major paper from the HOMEChem experiment, CSU researchers report the chemistry of mopping floors with bleach.
Nature Index recognizes CSU as Rising Star’ in Earth and environmental sciences with the Department of Chemistry as a top contributor
Colorado State University is the only U.S. university in the top 25, and the 11th-fastest rising institution in the Earth and environmental sciences category.
DEPARTMENT AWARDS
CSU chemistry professor receives highly competitive award from the Department of Energy
Justin Sambur among 50 nationwide to receive DOE Early Career Award
Chemistry student awarded oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, NSF GRFP
Three-year fellowship gives Ian Moseley research freedom to focus exclusively on molecular magnets.
CSU among nation’s top producers of Fulbright U.S. Scholars, including Chemistry’s Scott Folkman
The Chronicle of Higher Education recently listed CSU among the top 20 doctoral institutions for Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program recipients in the U.S.
Ben Reynolds is named an outstanding teacher at the 2020 Best Teacher Awards
Meet the seven teachers who’ve inspired students, faculty and alumni at CSU.
Chemist Andy McNally honored with 2020 Sloan Research Fellowship
McNally is one of 126 researchers from the U.S. and Canada honored with the fellowship this year.
WELCOME NEW FACULTY & STAFF
Ben Shupe – Chemistry Scientific Stores Manager
Kayla Palmer – Accounting Technician III
Evan Campbell – Assistant IT Coordinator
Daniel Bates – ARC-MMA Materials Analysis Scientist
CONNECT ON SOCIAL
We have launched a new department LinkedIn page that you can now list as your current or past employer: Department of Chemistry at CSU. Simply go to your LinkedIn profile, scroll down to “Experience,” edit with the pen on the top right corner, and under “company” link to “Department of Chemistry at Colorado State University.” You will find a variety of professional news here.
We also distribute fun and newsworthy content on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.