Rutgers University Chemistry News

R U TG E R S , T H E S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W J E R S E Y • P I S C ATA W AY

Chemistry & Chemical Biology News
Dismukes, Greenblatt Research Moves
Sustainable Energy Forward
or years, scientists and

Nick Romanenko
F researchers worldwide
have confronted the daunt-
ing challenge of making sustain-
able energy sufficiently cost
effective to be mass produced.
Recent testing at the U.S.
Department of Energy’s research
center on artificial fuels may
indicate a solution has been
found in the lab of Chemistry
Professors Charles Dismukes
and Martha Greenblatt.
WINTER 2013 “Developing chemical
VOLUME 13 processes that will facilitate
mass production of economical,
This newsletter is published for
environment-friendly solar and Professors Martha Greenblatt and Charles Dismukes
alumni and friends by the
Department of Chemistry wind electricity is one of the
and Chemical Biology biggest challenges of the en-
Rutgers, The State University The Rutgers spinel catalyst, “In theory,” Dismukes said,
of New Jersey ergy crisis,” said Dismukes. “The LiCoO2 (lithium cobalt oxide), “we will be able to build elec-
610 Taylor Road noble metal catalysts that are has been licensed to a large in- trolyzers that will be much more
Piscataway, NJ 08854 presently used in electrolyzers, ternational corporation seeking to energy efficient because the
For questions or suggestions, the devices that convert direct use the catalyst to replace IrO2 spinel catalysts can be used at
please contact: electric current harnessed by (iridium oxide), the most widely much higher concentrations,
Roger A. Jones, Chair solar panels into fuels, are very used commercial catalyst, said thus reducing the amount of
Phone: 732/445-1554 expensive. We have synthe-
Email: chemchair@rutgers.edu Greenblatt, Rutgers Board of electricity consumed and waste
Web: chem.rutgers.edu sized, patented and licensed a Governors Professor in the heat generated. We envision
catalyst process that will be Department of Chemistry and electrolyzers that will be so cost-
Coordinators: Karen Fowler and
Kristina Wetter
nearly as efficient as the current Chemical Biology. Electrolyzers effective they are disposable.
Faculty Liaisons: Kathryn Uhrich standard and is comprised of are used to separate hydrogen Capital and operating expenses
and Eric Garfunkel elements that are up to 10 and oxygen from water via elec- will decrease significantly
Writer/Editor: Fred Feiner
million times more abundant trolysis, consuming electricity to because electrolyzer design
in nature, and much less make fuels. can be greatly simplified.”
expensive.”
continued on page 9

Chemistry & Chemical Biology P I SC ATAWAY

An Action Packed Year for Rutgers & CCB

W elcome to the Winter
2013 edition of Chem-
istry & Chemical Biology
(CCB) News! It has been an
exciting start to the school year
for both the department and
reorganization of New Jersey’s
university system in decades. For
Rutgers, the addition of a medical
school is an historic milestone
that will result in enhanced pres-
tige, greater access to federal
grants include: Associate Professor
Daniel Seidel, “Development of
Strategies for the Functionalization
of Amines,” NIH, $1.4 million over
5 years; Professor Jean Baum,
“NMR Studies of Collagen Model
the university. research funding, much closer Peptides and their Interactions
The university has welcomed coordination of CCB’s researchers with Collagen Receptors,” NIH,
a new President, Robert L. with life science translational and $1.2 million over 4 years; Profes-
Barchi—a renowned neuroscien- clinical efforts. sor Charles Dismukes, “Photo-
tist, respected educator and aca- Speaking of funding, we are assembly and Efficiency of Photo-
demic innovator, and successful proud to announce that CCB synthetic Water and Oxidases:
fundraiser. Prior to joining moved into the number one Probing the Catalytic Core Atom
Rutgers, Dr. Barchi served as position nationally in federal by Atom,” National Science
president of Thomas Jefferson research grant support for Foundation (NSF), $350,000 over
University, and previously as chemistry departments as pub- 3 years; and Professor Gregory
provost of the University of lished in a recent Chemical & Herzog, “Studies of Argon Dating
Pennsylvania. We wish Dr. Barchi Engineering News article (see and Cosmogenic Nuclides in
great success as the university’s table on page 8). The continued Extra-terrestrial Materials,” National
20th president and look forward excellence of CCB in gaining Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
to working together as we federal support for research is tration (NASA), $140,000 over
advance the CCB research and a tribute to the superb science 1 year.
CCB moved into education programs that are so that takes place in the depart- The exciting grant news would
the number one vital to the future of New Jer- ment every day. not be possible without the sup-
position nationally sey’s economy and some of In terms of recent research port of our stellar CCB administra-
in federal the region’s largest and most support, Eddy Arnold spear- tive team led by Donna Kohl; see
research grant important companies. headed an effort with Ronald story on page 7). In this issue you
support. On Election Day, New Jersey Levy, Joseph Marcotrigiano and can also read about:
voters approved a $750 million myself to win a five-year National • Prestigious national awards
bond issue that will help fund Institutes of Health grant with an presented to Jing Li from the
capital improvements at New anticipated allocation of $6.3 mil- Department of Energy C3E
Jersey’s colleges and universities. lion. The project is entitled “HIV Program, and to Alan Goldman
We anticipate that part of those Macromolecular Interactions and from the American Chemical
funds will be dedicated to a Impact on Viral Evolution of Society’s Catalysis Lectureship
signature science building that Drug Resistance” and involves for the Advancement of Catalytic
will become CCB’s new home. researchers from Scripps, Har- Science.
The university and donors are vard, Pitt, Ohio State, and the • The department’s first multi-
required to fund at least 25 NIH. Eddy has also been notified student foreign exchange
percent of the planned $115 that his NIH Method to Extend program with Jilin University
million building. Donations are Research in Time (MERIT) Award in China.
essential for us to bring the has been extended for a second • Our new Graduate Student
building to life, to continue to five-year period (2014-2019). Association President Michelle
create scientific and technologi- The project title is “HIV-1 reverse Ouimet.
cal breakthroughs in chemistry, transcriptase structure: function, • An impressive energy catalyst
and to educate both the industry inhibition, and resistance,” with a developed by Martha Greenblatt
leaders and technical workforce total expected award of $3.8 and Charles Dismukes.
that are vital to the future of the million. NIH MERIT Awards are an These are exciting times for
region. honor bestowed on fewer than our department. We thank all of
Another major New Jersey 5 percent of investigators. you for your support and look
state undertaking that will affect CCB’s reputation as a national forward to a great year for the
us is the integration of Rutgers leader in cutting-edge grant- university and CCB.
with the University of Medicine funded research continues to
and Dentistry of New Jersey, grow stronger. Just a few of the Sincerely,
2 which will result in the largest many other recent noteworthy Roger A. Jones
Professor and Chair

P I SC ATAWAY Chemistry & Chemical Biology

Chinese Students from Jilin University
Participate in CCB Exchange Program

W hen chemistry

Nick Romanenko
student Xin Zhang left
her home in Heilongjang
Province, China to come to
Rutgers for six months she was
looking forward to her first trip
abroad even if her parents were
hesitant. Three months into her
American adventure Zhang and
many of her 19 classmates from
Jilin University in Changchun,
the first chemistry students to
participate in a special student
exchange program, were greatly
impressed. Many are now
considering coming back in the Jilin student Qiuju Liang observes Rutgers Chemistry graduate student mentor
future for graduate study at Rut- Nick Stebbins drawing the structure of the salicylic adipic diacid on the glass of
gers or elsewhere in the U.S. the fume hood.
“I would like to study and
live here, but I would have to
interested in the New Jersey The 20 Chinese students
convince my parents to come
beachfront. “I was impressed by have been brought to the U.S.
visit to see what life is like
the beach,” said Li, who had as a result of an agreement
here,” Zhang said. “My mother
never seen an ocean or a beach between the Chemistry depart-
was very worried about me.
before a faculty-sponsored trip to ment, the Rutgers Program in
She thinks I’m not eating right
the Jersey Shore in August. American Language Studies,
and dressing warm enough.”
“Everyone seemed to enjoy the and Jilin University’s College of
Bo Li, a student from Hubei
sunshine and I certainly did too.” Chemistry.
Province, is hoping to complete
“And there were a lot of Their first eight weeks at
his chemistry graduate studies in
pretty girls,” Zhang added. “He Rutgers focused on developing
the U.S., but seemed equally
liked that too.” continued on page 10

Joseph Potenza Named ACS Fellow

C hemistry Professor Joseph an Assistant Professor of Chem-
Andrea Kane

Anthony Potenza has been istry in 1968 and culminating
named a Fellow of the Ameri- with his retirement as University
can Chemical Society (ACS), Professor Emeritus in July. The
recognizing over 44 years of Piscataway resident also held
service to the advancement of multiple positions in the Rutgers
chemistry and the education of administration over the years,
students. The honor was an- including Provost and Dean of
nounced during the organization’s the Graduate School, Associate
Fall Meeting in Philadelphia. Provost for Academic Affairs in
Potenza’s career at Rutgers the Sciences, and Chairman of
spanned six decades, starting as the Department of Chemistry.
Janet and Joseph Potenza 3


Professor Jing Li Honored by U.S. Department
of Energy Program

C hemistry Professor Jing Li
was honored by the U.S.
Clean Energy Education and
Empowerment (C3E) women’s
initiative in September with the
developing and advancing rare-
earth free white light phosphors,
which have the potential to be
used as an alternative low-cost
and energy-efficient general
The U.S. C3E Awards are
intended to recognize rising
women in clean energy who
have demonstrated leadership
and high achievement within
2012 U.S. C3E Award for out- lighting source. one of the six award categories
standing contribution to scien- “The ever-increasing energy and have the potential for signif-
tific research in innovation and demands and the concerns icant future contribution. The
technology development. Li was about global warming have awards were administered by
one of six women to be hon- underscored the importance of the MIT Energy Initiative, which
ored by the U.S. Department of developing high-efficiency light recognized each of the
Energy led program. sources to reduce consump- awardees with a $10,000 cash
tion,” said Li, a Cranbury resident prize. The Clean Energy Educa-
and mother of two. “Solid-state tion and Empowerment (C3E)
Chris Pedota

lighting (SSL) technology in the program, led by the U.S. Depart-
form of light-emitting diodes ment of Energy, is designed to
(LEDs) can convert electricity help increase the number of
into light much more efficiently women engaged in clean en-
than conventional lighting ergy disciplines, from science
sources. It has been predicted and academia, to industry, to
that a nationwide move toward policy, to advocacy.
SSL for general illumination in Li is a member of the Ameri-
the U.S. would reduce electric can Chemical Society, the
energy consumption for lighting American Association for the
by roughly 25 percent, saving Advancement of Science, the
$120 billion in energy expenses, Materials Research Society, and
and reduce CO2 emissions by Sigma Xi. She has received a
246 million metric tons over the number of awards, including
next 20 years. Low-cost and the Presidential Faculty Fellow
high-efficiency LEDs are being Award; National Science Foun-
intensely explored, especially dation CAREER Award; Cheung
Chemistry Professor Jing Li
white LEDs (WLEDs), which are Kong Guest Chair Professor
considered a potential light Award from the Ministry of Edu-
source to replace conventional cation of China; Outstanding
Li was also recently elected a incandescent or fluorescent Achievement Award from the
Fellow of the American Associa- lighting.” Chinese Association of Science
tion for the Advancement of Sci- Li’s most recent research on and Technology; and the Board
ence, a prestigious peer honor. hybrid white light phosphors of Trustees Fellowship for Schol-
Li’s research interests and was published in the January arly Excellence from Rutgers
activities are primarily in the 2012 issue of Angewandte University. She is currently an
areas of solid-state inorganic Chemie International Edition Associate Editor for the Journal
and inorganic-organic hybrid and April issue of Chemistry of of Solid State Chemistry and a
materials that possess interest- Materials. She has published member of the Editorial Advi-
ing and useful properties for over 220 scientific papers, in- sory Board of Crystal Growth
clean energy applications. She cluding 12 invited reviews. and Design.
has led extensive research on

4


GSA Features New Energy, Programs

I f Organic Chemistry

Sabrina Snyder
Ph.D. candidate Michelle
Ouimet pursues her poly-
mer research with the enthusi-
asm and energy of a cheerleader,
there’s a good reason: before
coming to Rutgers three years
ago, she could be found on the
sidelines as an undergrad at
Clemson University.
Today, Ouimet is bringing that
energy to the table as the new
President of the Chemistry Grad-
uate Student Association (GSA).
Ouimet is hoping to reinvigorate
the GSA with new programs
such as an industrial lecture
series with Rutgers’ Chemistry
alumni. Former GSA President
Eric Klauber, a CCB alumnus who GSA leadership (from left) are Co-Vice President Allison Faig, President Michelle
works at BASF, started the lecture Ouimet, Treasuer Matt Richers and Co-Vice President Katie Field.
series in November, discussing
the transition from graduate tions—literally. She had an in- and Dean of Mathematical and
school to industry. ternship with Kraft Foods New Physical Sciences at Rutgers,
This past summer GSA Technology Group in Whippany, which focuses on the synthesis
brought in a career consultant N.J., which is an integral part of and characterization of biocom-
who volunteered his time to the company’s $15 billion gum patible polymers for medical
meet with students. GSA also and candy product portfolio and dental applications such
held its first tailgate event at the with brands such as Trident, as drug delivery and tissue
recent homecoming football Halls, Stride, Dentyne, Swedish engineering.
game that attracted 35 current Fish, and Sour Patch Kids. “My research focuses on
and former students. Ouimet interned with a group synthesizing, characterizing, and
“The career consultant was that drives product innovation formulating bioactive-containing
really valuable for many be- with developments such as polymers for cosmetic, personal
cause he coached us on how to long lasting taste and flavor care, wound-care, and food-
network as we get closer to en- changing technologies. based applications,” said
tering the business world,” said “I was very interested in Ouimet. “I came to Rutgers be-
Ouimet, a Mount Olive resident. learning more about rheology, cause I wanted to learn from a
As for GSA activities: “We want or the flow of matter, and how world renowned polymer scien-
to try new and different pro- I could implement that knowl- tist like Kathryn and the experi-
grams to get a better level of edge within my research at Rut- ence has just been outstanding
interaction with the graduate gers,” said Ouimet, who worked in every possible way. My goal
student community. A lot of on refining a gum with longer has always been to continue
graduate students don’t realize lasting taste. “The Kraft experi- learning and to consider new
what a great school we have ence was great because it approaches and possibilities
and one of the real advantages opened me up to the possibili- and our group really fosters that
is the access to industry we are ties of working in the food in- type of environment.”Ouimet, a
provided through our alumni as dustry. I also picked up some fellow of both the U.S. Depart-
well as research collaborations.” new experiences and skills that I ment of Education and the Rut-
This summer, Ouimet got a could bring back to my team.” gers’ Predoctoral Leadership
great taste for those connec- Ouimet is part of the group
led by Kathryn Uhrich, Professor continued on page 6 5


GSA based poly (anhydride-ester) terested in speaking at GSA
continued from page 5 matrices using small molecule events. To learn more about the
admixtures,” recently published GSA, please contact her at
Development Institute, has co- in the Journal of Bioactive and mouimet@rci.rutgers.edu.
authored several journal Compatible Polymers.
articles, including “Tunable drug Ouimet is particularly inter-
release profiles from salicylate- ested in hearing from alumni in-

Alan Goldman Receives First ACS Catalysis Lectureship

C hemistry Professor Alan
Goldman was recently
awarded the first American
Chemical Society (ACS) Catal-
ysis Lectureship for the Ad-
cleaner energy. Goldman has
conducted extensive research
during his 25-year career
focused on the conversion of
hydrocarbons—organic com-
Goldman received his Ph.D.
from Columbia University and
was an IBM Postdoctoral Fellow
at the University of Chicago.
During his career, he has re-
vancement of Catalytic Science, pounds found in fossil fuels— ceived many other awards and
recognizing Goldman’s ground- and other small molecules. honors for his research achieve-
breaking research on the Goldman has developed a ments and dedication to science
manipulation of hydrocarbons process to use low value education, including the: Camille
focused on the development byproducts that may be ob- and Henry Dreyfus Distin-
of cleaner, more efficient fuels. tained from coal, natural gas or guished New Faculty Award;
Goldman’s work is particu- plants, into a synthetic diesel Union Carbide Innovation
larly important in the search for fuel that is more environmen- Recognition Award; Alfred P.
tally friendly than traditional Sloan Fellowship; Camille and
diesel fuel. Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar
Fellowship; Rutgers Board of
Nick Romanenko

“We hope to one day
eliminate our dependence Trustees Fellowship for Scholarly
on foreign fuels,” said Excellence; DuPont Aid-to-Edu-
Goldman. “The U.S. has cation Award; and New Jersey
40-times more coal energy Section of the American Chemi-
than oil, large reserves of cal Society Pro Bono Award.
natural gas, and many The lectureship is co-sponsored
sources of biomass includ- by the ACS Division of Catalysis
ing agricultural byproducts, Science & Technology and the
so if we are successful, ACS Publications journal ACS
the impact could be quite Catalysis. The ACS Catalysis Lec-
significant. Obviously, a tureship for the Advancement of
cleaner, more cost-effective Catalytic Science honors current
fuel supply would produce groundbreaking research that
tremendous economic and enables better understanding of
environmental benefits.” the links among the various sub-
Goldman’s research has disciplines of catalysis and also
contributed to the develop- advances the field of catalysis as
ment of novel catalytic a whole. The lectureship may be
methods for hydrocarbon awarded to an individual or a
conversions, which are collaborative research team.
required to use fossil fuels The inaugural ACS Catalysis
more efficiently and create Lectureship for the Advance-
sustainable fuel resources. ment of Catalytic Science was
His research has also pro- presented at the Fall 2012 ACS
vided important insights National Meeting in Philadelphia.
into the fundamental steps A symposium was held in the
underlying hydrocarbon Goldman’s honor and he
processes, vital to advanc- received a monetary award.
6
Chemistry Professor Alan Goldman ing the technology.


‘Tis the Season, to be Shopping for Grants

Karen Fowler
f Black Friday in the re- nates grants for

I tail world is the busiest
shopping day of the
year, the days leading up
to the busy national grants
deadlines in September and
the faculty of the
Earth and Plane-
tary Sciences
Department
(formerly Geol-
October probably deserve a ogy). “Every grants
name of their own. program has dif-
Donna Kohl, Chemistry and ferent rules and
Chemical Biology Executive some proposals
Director of Administration, and will get rejected
Bonnie Emigholz, Chemistry immediately for
Associate Director, don’t exactly reasons that bog-
have customers lining up at gle the mind—
their doors in the wee hours of for example the
the morning, but the grants wrong typeface
process would not be a success or the wrong
without an all hands on deck margins! Our CCB administrative staff (from left): Bonnie Emigholz,
approach similar to the day after department is Lydia Haynes, Cynthia Howell, Kristina Wetter and
Thanksgiving. working on very Donna Kohl.
“CCB now ranks number important issues
one nationally in federal grants such as curing until the last day, we encourage
received—over $30 million disease or enabling sustainable them to contact us early with all
annually—and while the inspira- energy. We want to make sure the other information so we can
tional work of our faculty drives the faculty get the resources be proposal ready when the sci- “We had a
that process, we are very fortu- they need.” ence is finalized.”
nate to have a very dedicated The most recent grants Proposals can be anywhere record-setting
and knowledgeable administra- season was a challenge since from 10 to 200 pages in length, grants season last
tive staff coordinating the Emigholz had been on maternity with the administrative and
process,” said Chemistry Chair- leave until recently with the birth budgeting components usually year and a large
man and Professor Roger A. of her third child. As with many more than 50% of the pro-
Jones. “We had a record-setting CCB projects, the whole depart- posal. part of that success
grants season last year and a ment pitched in to ensure a Kohl notes that the adminis- goes to Donna,
large part of that success goes smooth process, particularly Pur- trative staff’s work doesn’t end
to Donna, Bonnie and the chasing Manager Lydia Haynes, when the proposal is filed or Bonnie and the
administrative team.” Business Specialist Cynthia even when the grant award is
Kohl has been with CCB for Howell and Senior Administrative received. With many of CCB’s administrative
over 10 years and was directly Assistant Kristina Wetter. approximately 300 employees team.”
responsible for the grants Kohl and Emigholz advise paid from the resources of
process before taking over her faculty to plan early for the grants, the staff has extensive
current responsibilities in 2007. grants deadline by contacting post-award responsibilities.
Emigholz has been with the them at least 30 days before a “Ten years ago our depart-
department for over seven proposal is due. ment received about $8 million
years. Their combined expertise “Our goal is to make the annually in grants and now that
is put to good use when nearly process seamless for the fac- number is more than $30 mil-
every faculty member is submit- ulty,” said Kohl. “CCB staff take lion,” Kohl said. “As the saying
ting grant requests to the Na- care of all the administrative goes, ‘the devil is in the details,’
tional Science Foundation or work for the faculty because we and we want to make sure the
the National Institute of Health are a full-service department. department maximizes the re-
in September and October. The researchers should only sources provided through the
“Chemistry submits about concern themselves with the grants. From coordinating the
80 grant requests to NSF and science of any proposal and payroll to communicating with
other agencies every year so leave us to worry about the rest. Purchasing and other depart-
the volume of proposals can be Even if faculty members don’t ments, it’s a rather large under-
significant,” said Emigholz, who have all the creative scientific taking to ensure the most
noted that the staff also coordi- ideas of a proposal worked out efficient use of resources.” 7


“Reprinted with permission from Chem. Eng. News, October 22, 2012,
90(43), pp 30-36. Copyright 2012 American Chemical Society.”

8


Alumni Join Chemistry in Philadelphia at ACS

T he Chemistry and
Chemical Biology
Department sponsored an
alumni reception at the 2012
Fall National Meeting of the
alumni event held at the ACS
2012 Winter Meeting in Denver,
organized by one of our lead-
ing alumni, Suresh Damle, a
retiree of PPG Industries. Suresh
members Kathryn Uhrich (also
Rutgers Dean of Mathematical
& Physical Sciences) and Eric
Garfunkel. Attendees learned
about the department’s plans
American Chemical Society and his colleagues also joined for a new state-of-the-art
(ACS), attracting graduates us in Philadelphia. Suresh’s chemistry building to be built
from across the country, some commitment to the future of on the Busch Campus.
who travelled to the confer- CCB and to strengthening the To learn about the fundrais-
ence just for the Rutgers relationships between alumni, ing campaign CCB has
program. faculty and students was self- launched to support the new
The event, held at the posh evident. building, please send us an
Le Meridien Hotel in Philadel- Alumni had the opportunity email at chemchair@rutgers.edu
phia, was a successful follow- to hear department and univer- or call (732) 445-1554.
up to the department’s first sity updates from CCB faculty

DISMUKES, GREENBLATT green, and highly efficient The recent licensure of the
continued from page 1 catalysts for splitting water into LiCoO2 catalyst is Dismukes’ and
oxygen and hydrogen.” Greenblatt’s latest opportunity to
Earlier this year, the LiCoO2 “We are very encouraged by translate their fundamental re-
catalyst for oxygen evolution re- the research because it has the search into a commercial appli-
action (OER) was described in potential to change the way elec- cation in collaboration with an
an article published in Ange- trical energy is stored and recov- industrial sponsor. The re-
wandte Chemie International ered—in covalent chemical searchers have also worked with
by Dismukes, Greenblatt and bonds rather than charged ions other corporate partners such as
or batteries,” said Dismukes, BASF to explore other applica- LiCoO2 is arguably
colleagues. The catalyst was
recently tested at the Joint Cen- a Rutgers faculty member in tions of these materials. Addition- one of the most
ter for Artificial Photosynthesis Chemistry and Chemical Biology, ally, Dismukes said Rutgers is a
the Waksman Institute of Micro- founding member of a new effective, if not the
(JCAP), the nation’s largest
research program dedicated to biology, and Biochemistry and investigator consortium called best OER catalyst
the development of an artificial Microbiology. “This step will re- the Solar Fuels Institute (SOFI),
quire a new design of a low-cost which hopes to accelerate the presently.
solar-fuel generation technology.
Established in 2010 by the U.S. electrolyzer that can work with pace of technological advances
Department of Energy, JCAP is these catalysts. This advance needed to transition to solar
led by the California Institute of could be applied to both elec- produced fuels.
Technology and aims to find a trolytic energy storage—using “Solar energy has become
cost-effective method to produce solar or wind electricity—and more attainable for property
fuels using only sunlight, water, renewable hydrogen generation. owners, but the challenge is
and carbon dioxide as inputs. For example, as a replacement producing a cost-effective
“LiCoO2 is arguably one of for batteries, this technology process that results in mass pro-
the most effective, if not the best could help solve the energy duction of renewable electricity,”
OER catalyst presently,” said storage problem that limits the said Dismukes. “We are commit-
Greenblatt. “Nevertheless, we adoption of solar panels. Also, ted to working with colleagues
continue our research to discover hydrogen derived from water worldwide to find solutions that
new materials that are abundant, means a source of clean fuel ensure cleaner energy for future
inexpensive and environmentally that is both renewable and generations.”
sustainable.”

9


STUDENT AWARDS Major, Excellence in Organic Chem- Precious O. Tabansi received The
istry, Brian A. Chang and Meera P. Roger Sweet Award for Excellence
SPRING 2012 Trivedi; for Outstanding Junior, in Organic Chemistry.
Undergraduate Awards Excellence in Organic Chemistry
Jessalyn A. Devine received The
Laboratory, Jimmy Patel.
CRODA AWARDS: Presented for Phyllis Dunbar Award for Excellence
outstanding undergraduate activities. COURSEWORK AWARDS: Mark in Physical Chemistry.
For excellence in General Chemistry, Leste V. Quilon and Justin W.
Sarah A. Goodman received the
Victor Hernandez, David Rehe, Marson received The Rufus
ACS Inorganic Division Award for
Kelley Steitz, and Jeffrey Yang; for Kleinhans Award for Excellence
Excellence in Inorganic Chemistry.
Outstanding Sophomore/Chemistry in General Chemistry.

JILIN UNIVERSITY “I think it’s a great opportu- graduate, graduate and post-
continued from page 3 nity for some of our leading doctoral levels.”
students to study in a new envi- Since 1984, Garfunkel, the
writing, speaking and listening
ronment and to gain confidence immediate past Chair of Chem-
skills in English, which many of
while strengthening their scien- istry, has been visiting China,
the students had been studying
tific and language skills,” said where he has a long term rela-
in China for the last 10 years.
Pang. “The students will experi- tionship as a visiting professor
The remaining time at Rutgers is
ence a different academic at Fudan University in Shanghai.
primarily focused on chemistry
atmosphere and culture. It’s a Three Chemistry faculty mem-
course and lab work.
transformational learning experi- bers of Chinese descent—
“Our English has improved
ence that allows the students to Kuang-Yu Chen, Jing Li and
greatly since we arrived,” said
develop a fresh perspective Xumu Zhang—have also been
Ling Ling Liu, a Jilin student
both in science and on interna- actively involved in promoting
from Heilongjang Province. “We
tional issues.” student exchanges and joint
met people from many different
Over the last 18 months, research initiatives. They all
countries in our English classes
seven Rutgers faculty members emphasize the importance of
and have learned about many
have visited Jilin University to continuing to build a strong rela-
different cultures.”
help design the student ex- tionship with leading universities
Starting with Professor John Brennan,
change program. Former Jilin in China such as Jilin.
Vice Chair of the CCB Under-
this exchange of University President and Chem- “We hope to reciprocate by
graduate Program, manages the
istry Professor Tang Aoqing sending Rutgers students to Jilin
students, we are students’ chemistry experience
helped initiate a cooperative in the very near future,” Gar-
with Professor Eric Garfunkel.
opening a new era relationship with Rutgers some funkel said. “Jilin University is a
“Colleges and universities
30 years ago, but the new pro- very strong partner for the Rut-
for the relationship throughout the U.S. are globaliz-
gram represents the first formal gers Chemistry Department and
ing their educational programs,”
between Rutgers chemistry student exchange together we can offer both
said Brennan. “Jilin University is a
between the universities. The Chinese and U.S. students an
and Jilin. good match for us because they
students, the top 20 among exceptional educational and
are our primary ‘sister school’ in
250 senior chemistry under- cultural experience.”
China, and are one of the five
graduates at Jilin, are supported The partnership seems to
strongest chemistry education
both in China and the U.S. by a be producing results already.
and research programs in China.
fund established in China in “We understand chemistry,
Our goals are to offer the stu-
Prof. Tang’s memory. but Chinese people often have
dents an excellent research and
“Starting with this exchange of a different way of thinking about
education experience, help them
students, we are opening a new things,” said Qiuju Liang, a stu-
develop their English skills, and
era for the relationship between dent from Jilin Province. “We are
open them up to the possibility
Rutgers and Jilin,” said Pang. “We learning more about the scientific
of studying or working abroad in
look forward to strengthening our process and how to analyze
the future.”
collaboration on research initia- things from beginning to end,
Jilin University’s Professor
tives, and increasing opportuni- and at the same time we are
Guangsheng Pang noted that the
ties for the exchange of students becoming more independent.”
program is valuable for both the
in both directions at the under-
10 students and the universities.


Byungkoo Park received the ACS CHEMICAL RESOURCES Agnesa Redere, Jennifer Redona,
Analytical Division Award for AWARDS BY PAUL KEIMIG: Maria Riego, Bryant M. Ruano,
Excellence in Instrumental Analysis. Jessalyn A. Devine, Sarah A. Melissa Valarezo, Samantha S.
Goodman, Kareem J. Holligan, and Vidal, and Aileen Zaydel.
Patrick L. Kramer received The
Diana X. Sun received the Chemical
Hypercube Award for Excellence CHEMISTRY 499 INTRODUCTION
Resources Award for Distinction in
in Chemical Physics. TO TEACHING CHEMISTRY LAB:
Research.
The following students were recog-
Aaron X. Sun received The Ning
Jon Ahn, Patrick L. Kramer, Albin nized for their contribution to the
Moeller Award for Outstanding
A. Mammen, Aaron L. Petronico, department in the teaching of a
Academic Achievement for a
and Chun M. Tong received the freshman chemistry lab: Monika A.
Chemistry Major in the Junior Year.
Chemical Resources Award for Hajduk, Alvin A. Mammen, Jimmy
Monica A. Hajduk received The Highest Distinction in Research. Patel, Tejas U. Shah, and Aaron X.
Merck Award for General Academic Sun.
CHEMDOODLE AWARD
Excellence and Research.
DONATED BY KEVIN J.THEISEN:
Timothy J. Susko received the James Huynh, Alex Lo, and GRADUATE AWARDS
Bruce Garth Award for general Mohammed Malik received the WINTER 2011
academic excellence and Chemdoodle Award for Excellence REID AWARD
research. in computational chemistry and Mingxi Chang
informatics. Fuguo Jiang
Kristen M. Reale received the
Mojgan Roushan
Van Dyke Award for Academic CHEMISTRY SOCIETY
Junling Sun
Excellence and Research in OUTREACH PROGRAM: The
David Wang
Chemistry. following students were recognized
for their participation in the Outreach VAN DYKE AWARD FOR
Gina S. Chang, Kevin Lu, Patrick
Activities of the Rutgers University EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH
Rogler, and Stephen L. Zieminski
Chemistry Society: Mina Aknouk, Deepankar Das
received the Chemistry and Chemi-
Denisse Arevalo, Kristina Carney, Kexuan Huang
cal Biology Department Undergrad-
Walter R. Drake, Andrea Fawzy, Roselin Rosario-Meléndez
uate Service Award presented to a
David Figueroa, Frank P. Fumo,
Chemistry major with a strong KRISHNAMURTHY AWARD
Marielle Jamgochian, Prabhdeep
record of participation, outreach, FOR OUTSTANDING PAPER OR
Kaur, Jayswinder Kaur, Adam
and departmental service. THESIS IN SYNTHETIC ORGANIC
Kornmehl, Yung-Jae Lee, Helen
Lopez, Kevin Lu, Sandra Ministro, CHEMISTRY
Apexa Modi, Valerie S. O’Besso, Hiyun Kim
continued on page 12

DEGREES CONFERRED
OCTOBER 2011 JANUARY 2012 MAY 2012 Albin Mammen OCTOBER 2012
M.S. B.A. B.A. Zachary Maron M.S.
Rebecca Allison Joseph Cioffi Jon Ahn Nicole Masiuk Sergey Buryachok
Lynn Callison Amy Deighan Isita Amin Christopher Michals Shraboni Ghoshal
Yu-Chu Chen Spandan Desai John Balaes Michael Moken Kevin A. Memoli
Jennifer Inghrim Nicholas Ewankov Jinwhan Cha Emily Nering Laura A. O’Grady
Katherine Koh Sohyung Choe Byungkyoo Park Nicholas Rue
PH.D. Cristina Lattarulo Daniel Coiro Patrick Rogler Zhexun Sun
Princy Abraham Michael Lee Benjamin Deibert Tejas Shah Sisi Zhang
Joseph Cusick Xavier O'Connell Ashley Dye Rowena Simmons
Chandrakanta De Christine Perez Christopher Esposito Timothy Susko PH.D.
Roberto Delgado Aaron Petronico Lee Eunsol Chun Tong Erkan Z. Ciftlikli
Tatiana Fadeeva Maia Saito Shanice Grant Craig Zelazny Sayantani Das
Eric Klauber Nikolai Streltsov Gregory Guadagno Wojciech Jankowski
Min Liu Shaotang Yuan Nancy Guillaume M.S. Lijuan Kang
Sanhita Pramanik Monika Hajduk Matthew Laughland James J. Lallo
Nirmala Shankar PH.D. Benjamin Ho Robin Lefkowitz Heather Y. Lee
Xianglan He Matthew Hueston Kai Liu
Hiyun Kim Kathleen Jillions Anna Michelson
Maria Hanshella Kyle Kramer Alexander L.
Magno Patrick Kramer Reznichenko
Ilona Litvak Mojgan Roushan
11


AWARDS WINTER 2012 RIEMAN AWARD FOR
continued from page 11 REID AWARD OUTSTANDING
Mu Chen ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A TA
RIEMAN AWARD FOR Rafael da Silva Roselin Rosario-Melendez
OUTSTANDING Michael C. Haibach Birju P. Shah
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A TA Nisha Mittal Aniruddh P. Solanki
James Lallo Rojita Sharma Nicholas D. Stebbins
Nisha Mittal Haohan Wu Honorable Mention
Prasad Subramaniam Hiep N. Nguyen
THOMAS REID FELLOW
Prasad Subramaniam
CHEMISTRY 171 EXCELLENCE Michael C. Haibach
Robert Young
IN TEACHING AWARD VAN DYKE AWARD FOR Libing Yu
Aleksandra Biedron EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH
CHEMISTRY 171 EXCELLENCE
CHEMISTRY SERVICE AWARD Graeme P. Gardner
IN TEACHING AWARD
David Laviska Jason D. Hackenberg
Allison M. Faig
Lijuan Kang
SPRING 2012 Jacqueline R. Sikora
DEAN’S RESEARCH AWARD KRISHNAMURTHY AWARD
CHEMISTRY SERVICE AWARD
Fuguo Jiang FOR OUTSTANDING PAPER OR
Kathleen D. Field
THESIS IN SYNTHETIC ORGANIC
CHINESE GOVERNMENT Michelle A. Ouimet
CHEMISTRY
AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING Longle Ma
SELF-FINANCED STUDENTS
ABROAD IN 2011 STANLEY MANDELES
Fuguo Jiang GRADUATE AWARD
Mu Chen
Anand Ramanthan
Lijuan Kang

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