2020

ELETHE MALUMNI MAGAZINEENTS OF THE VIRGINIA TECH DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

A YEAR 2022200020 202220002 IN REVIEW LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

Dear Alumni and Friends of the Department,

What is there to say about 2020? It started normal enough and then in March took a turn nobody could have predicted. The good news for our Department is that the impacts of COVID were not nearly as severe as we prepared to face. I am particularly grateful to the faculty, staff, post-docs and graduate students for embracing public health recommendations and demonstrating incredible flexibility over the past year.

Though it now feels “normal” to have virtual events and meetings, it was a slow progression to this point. In March, after it was announced that the rest of the semester would be virtual, we moved our courses online and adapted our annual graduate recruiting weekend to a virtual experience, all in a single week. Two weeks and another announcement later, we shut down all research activities, again in less than a weeks’ time. Another two weeks and another announcement, our annual department awards ceremony and graduation ceremony went virtual. I would like to believe that for many of us, COVID provided a reminder of how much we love chemistry and how much we missed it when it was taken away. Thankfully, in a small silver lining, we were allowed to reopen research over the summer with updated safety guidelines.

The summer months were also spent planning for different forms of online and hybrid online/in-person instruction in the fall. For chemistry, COVID social distancing restrictions meant only 1.5% of the 6,400 undergraduate students we normally teach received some form of in-person lecture instruction, whereas 70% of our graduate instruction was fully in-person. We were able to provide some form of in-person, socially distanced instruction for almost all laboratory courses with the exception of non-majors general chemistry lab. Looking towards Spring 2021, our plan is to expand in-person instruction where we can while maintaining a high level of education and safety.

Despite all odds, 2020 still brought great things to the department and we have focused on these bright spots in this issue of Elements. There were also losses of beloved mentors and friends, independent of COVID, and we take a moment to mourn those as well. As we look to 2021, the recent news of a safe and effective vaccine gives us hope that we may be able to return to normal activities in Fall 2021. In the meantime, you and your families are in our thoughts and prayers and we hope we are in yours.

Sincerely,

Alan Esker Chair, Department of Chemistry 2 ELEMENTS 2020 CONTENTS EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Alan Esker Writer: Corrin Lundquist Design: Corrin Lundquist A UNIVERSITY EXEMPLARY 4 DEPARTMENT, AGAIN DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY Department Chair: Alan Esker Associate Chair: Amanda Morris Director of Undergraduate Programs: LEAVING A LEGACY Patricia Amateis 6 Director of the Graduate Program: John Morris

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK OF NOTE We welcome your comments 9 and story ideas for future issues: [email protected]

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Virginia Tech is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action institution.

3 FEATURE A UNIVERSITY EXEMPLARY DEPARTMENT, AGAIN The department continues a tradition of excellence with recognition from the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.

BY CORRIN LUNDQUIST

In February, the Department of Chemistry was honored One of the most pervasive inclusivity and access issues to solve as a 2019 University Exemplary Department by the Office of in chemistry departments throughout the country is how to the Executive Vice President and Provost in partnership with effectively teach large introductory classes. The courses generally the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. It is the seat upwards of 300 students per section from majors across the department’s fifth award, after having received the honor in 2016, university and cover critical, foundational concepts essential for 2015, 2014 and 2009. Three other programs were also honored understanding more advanced subjects. One of the challenges at the ceremony: the Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical, and for lectures of this size is reduced student involvement. In recent Cultural Thought (ASPECT); the Department of Modern and years, two main approaches have emerged to tackle the issue: Classical Languages and Literatures; and the Department of flipped-classroom and inquiry-based learning. In the former Sociology. Since its establishment by the provost’s office in 1994, approach, students are tasked with learning the day’s content each year’s award has featured a different theme, emphasizing ahead of the lecture and work through application problems the multifaceted nature of excellence in academia. The theme during the lecture period with hands-on assistance from the for 2019 was “inclusive excellence in teaching and learning.” instructor. Inquiry-based learning involves asking students more conceptual questions intended to stimulate their curiosity Inclusivity has been a rapidly growing topic in academia in and interest in the subject matter. Of the two approaches, the recent years. As higher education becomes more accessible latter was implemented in a section of general chemistry and to a wider demographic of students, taking steps to ensure all was a resounding success. Students in the inquiry-based course students receive the same quality of education is pertinent. reported that they felt they better understood the content, Because each individual has their own set of needs, solutions to enjoyed learning the material, and noticed they were able to help address the gaps can look different, from developing a new solve problems more efficiently. teaching approach to fostering a community for students that may not have one. Oftentimes, it’s a combination of efforts that Much of the work to create an inclusive classroom starts with make the most difference in a student’s experience. learning about new pedagogy. The department launched the Inclusive Pedagogy Lunch Series for faculty members to learn The department has long been committed to improving access about and discuss new innovations in inclusive teaching. and inclusion for all students. In 2018, the department became Speakers included faculty from other departments on campus a participant in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) who have been implementing different approaches that Inclusive Excellence Program. Participation in the program has encourage active student participation and have demonstrated led to a number of new initiatives for the department including success for underrepresented groups. In the spring, the HHMI the Inclusive Pedagogy Lunch Series, a spring semester of the committee invited the general chemistry team from Michigan First Year Experience course, and supplemental instructional State University that implemented an inquiry-based approach videos for general chemistry. throughout its general chemistry curriculum.

4 ELEMENTS / FEATURE

Members of the department Undergraduate Education Committee at the University Exemplary Department Award banquet in February 2020. Back row, left to right: Gordon Yee, Diego Troya, Department Chair Alan Esker, Gary Long Front row: Joe Merola, Undergraduate Program Director Patricia Amateis. Photo courtesy of Tiffany Shoop.

Each department in the university offers a First Year Experience most frequently pose a problem for students. Another of the (FYE) course to its first year majors to provide students with a issues facing large introductory classes is that students may community as they navigate the first few months of university not seek help when they need it for a host of different reasons. life together and to create a cohesive cohort. During the first few Oftentimes, these students struggle with the same conceptual years of the course, instructors recognized that students coming area and need more detail or practice. The video library, which from different backgrounds, including transfer students, first- currently contains nine videos covering a variety of difficult generation students and underrepresented groups, would concepts, serves as a supplement to the course and allows benefit from an additional semester with the community formed students to work through problems at their own pace, as many during the fall. With support from the HHMI Program, FYE2 times as they want, anytime, anywhere. was created. Students were invited to take a second, spring semester of FYE with a curriculum focused on creativity and While recognition by the University Exemplary Department developing hands-on skills that would transfer to lab work. The Award doesn’t indicate completion or perfection, it does serve course was first offered in Spring 2019 and after its success, was asmotivation to keep improving and refining. The department offered again in Spring 2020. has made significant strides so far and the work to make Virginia Tech Chemistry inclusive of all students remains a priority. In addition to its other inclusivity initiatives, the HHMI team created a library of videos, focusing on specific concepts that

2020 5 FEATURE LEAVING A LEGACY

After an illustrious career spanning decades, University Distinguished Professor David Kingston retires. A celebration originally scheduled for April 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19, so to mark the occasion, we asked Kingston group alumni to send in their well wishes.

EDITED BY CORRIN LUNDQUIST

I am very grateful to Professor David Kingston for his trust, guidance, support and kindness when I was a senior postdoctoral my first break to go abroad from India to get advanced training research fellow from April 2003 to November 2008. It would be in chemistry and contribute to the field of medicinal chemistry impossible to count all that he has been helping me in my career, through my knowledge and skills. Professor Kingston’s lab was from Virginia Tech to Harvard Medical School, and then all the an ideal diverse place for me to get to know many graduate way west to the University of Hawaii. I would like to thank him students, post-doctoral fellows, senior personnel coming from for being a great mentor and for guiding me on the right path various parts of the planet with a goal to learn, share and academically and spiritually. I wish him all the best in his life advance science. Professor Kingston was very gracious right after retirement. from the beginning to allow us to explore our own potential —Shugeng Cao and keep hands off approach from the laboratory when it comes to learning. He was always there when you needed help and I was very fortunate to have an opportunity to work in courteously reminding us about how important it is what we Dr. David Kingston’s research group at Virginia Tech for were doing in those days. I consider the time I spent in Professor several years. What a great honor and privilege it has been, Kingston’s laboratory was the golden era of my career. I owe working closely with Dr. Kingston on synthesizing analogues of profound appreciation to professor Kingston for providing me epothilones, discodermolide, and paclitaxel! an opportunity to embark on challenging my own abilities as a Dr. Kingston not only instilled in me a wealth of knowledge scientist and person who I am today. Professor Kingston is an of natural products but he also inspired me by his superb excellent advisor, best teacher and a very modest human being. commitment and dedication to the field of natural products. His I wish him a very happy, healthy retirement life. keen intellect, together with his thoughtfulness and inherent —Mahendra Chordia sense of fairness led him to be an outstanding mentor. I am extremely grateful for his guidance and mentorship throughout It is a great honor to be able to contribute to this issue my career. of Elements celebrating Prof. David Kingston’s retirement, —Qiao-Hong­­ Chen especially because I believe that I am one of those lucky ones who had the privilege of being a member of David’s research Reflecting over the time from Sept. 1992-March 1996 when group at VA Tech on two occasions. My first visit lasted for I worked in Professor Kingston’s laboratory as a post-doctoral only one year (1983/84) as I was on sabbatical leave from my research associate there are so many fond memories that just go University in Sri Lanka. In 1989, when the political unrest in through my mind like a live movie. I was very fortunate to get

6 ELEMENTS / FEATURE

Sri Lanka intensified, it was David’s kind invitation that helped Professor Kingston would often fall asleep during presentations me to join his group again on sabbatical leave, but that sabbatical but the minute the lecture was over he would remarkably wake lasted for seven years. I am indeed thankful to David for this up and fire off an on-point question as if he was absorbing the offer which allowed me to engage in “bench” research and gave material as he dozed. me a “free hand” to get involved in many research projects at that DGIK really cares about his students in a holistic manner; stage of my career – that experience helped me tremendously to he didn’t just want a pair of hands in the lab, he sincerely cared get a head start at the University of Arizona. My second visit about my welfare, family, spiritual life, etc. was truly academically rewarding [and] had a lasting impact on At times, he could push me to accomplish more, but he me. David’s international recognition, popularity as a research wasn’t overly pushy and I felt like he wanted results for my advisor and the ability to attract graduate students, visiting sake rather than his. He also understood that I had a family to scholars, and postdoctoral associates became apparent from the take care of as well as research to carry out. I received a top- 3-fold increase in the number of group members from 1984 to drawer education under Professor Kingston’s mentoring, and I 1992. would be remiss if I didn’t mention Professor Leslie Gunatilaka’s inspiration and guidance during this time as well. The two of them made a great team and I am forever grateful for their time and efforts. —Carl Heltzel

I was Prof. David Kingston’s first doctoral student to graduate from Albany University, Albany, NY. David was a new Assistant Professor of chemistry in the Department of Chemistry where he purchased and oversaw the installation and use of a new AEI MS-902 high resolution mass spectrometer. [Joining David Kingston’s research group] was the best decision I made in graduate school. I received excellent hands-on experience and Kingston group, 1989. Photo courtesy of Leslie Gunatilaka tutoring in mass spectrometry, a relatively new analytical tool in the late sixties when I joined. During his fifty-year career, David has trained numerous David decided to leave the Albany University Chemistry natural product scientists and made truly remarkable Department and join the same at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, contributions to the field. His love for natural products was VA. To attend my Albany thesis defense, David had to drive emphasized in his highly esteemed ACS Guenther Award from Blacksburg to Albany to oversee my presentation. As we address “A Natural Love of Natural Products”. I am grateful to shook hands and departed the chemistry building for the last David for all his help and guidance and I sincerely wish him a time David mentioned there was a new analytical technique long and an enjoyable retirement. As his beloved wife Beverly called HPLC and he suggested I should learn more about that said last year when my wife and I were having dinner with them, technology. I had not heard of HPLC but the next smart thing I she is eagerly looking forward to joining him in all his trips – did was take his advice and began to learn about it. This was way domestic and foreign. We wish them well. before any demonstration of HPLC/MS. To fast forward, LC/ —Leslie Gunatilaka MS became the cornerstone and theme of my professional career. I have many firsts in LC/MS and LC/MS/MS applications and I spent the summer prior to commencing my graduate a very enjoyable career because I followed up on David’s advice. studies in the lab of Professor Merola, performing inorganic I offer my deepest gratitude to Professor David Kingston synthesis. I was surprised one day when Professor Kingston for the excellent chemical foundation and guidance that he dropped by the Merola lab armed with a number of really provided to me in my graduate student experience. I wish him a interesting books on medicinal plants. As he told me all about long and enjoyable retirement following his role as an excellent the good work we could do in terms of searching for anticancer mentor and leading chemist for over 50 years. drugs (my mother died of cancer about 15 years later), I was —Jack Henion sold. I told Prof. Merola I was switching to the DGIK lab and he took it fairly well. It is a decision I have never regretted. Congratulations on your 2 Timothy 4:7-8 retirement Dr. I think most of the group members of my time at VT in Kingston. Many Matthew 25:23 blessings. Mathis DGIK’s research group would remember this funny moment: —Mathis Hodge

2020 7 FEATURE /

(continued from pg. 7) his former students currently leading many key areas of natural product research, Dr. Kingston was indeed a great mentor. I appreciate the education Dr. Kingston provided. I was —Liva Rakotondraibe well prepared for a career in pharma by having developed the necessary skills and creativity to compete with co-workers from Professor Kingston is an excellent teacher and a mentor, around the world. Looking back over the years I have fond a kind man, and treated his students with respect and trust. It memories of the time spent in his lab and am grateful for the was an exciting time for natural products research in the 1980s, experience and for the friendships I made. specifically Taxol was one of the major interests in the Kingston —Rob Keyes group, and my thesis work. Looking back, I realized what David taught us was to appreciate the philosophy of science Professor Kingston ran a world class research program transcending any branch of chemical sciences. David always whose aims encompassed everything from developing novel encouraged students to go learn new techniques, not necessarily cancer therapies to building infrastructure in less developed in organic chemistry. I owed a lot to David for the success in my countries, though what is less discussed is his enormous career as a research scientist. impact on the training of the future generation of scientists: he David, each time I hear compliments from my associate, supervised 78 graduate students, 46 postdoctoral researchers, being an excellent chemist, angels ring a bell for you. and hosted 29 visiting scholars. I wish you a great retirement with good health and —Brian Murphy happiness. —Gamini Samaranayake I met Dr. David Kingston sometime in the middle of my sophomore year at Va. Tech. David’s Organic Chemistry class I first met Prof. Kingston in the early nineties in Rio was one of the best lectures that I had up to that point at Va. de Janeiro. I had just started my PhD course at the Federal Tech. As a Biology Major taking Organic Chemistry for the University of Rio de Janeiro where I already worked as an first time in my life that was greatly appreciated. assistant teacher. I was invited by my adviser to escort Prof. I joined David’s Research group in 1984 because of his Kingston around the University and to take him back to his reputation as a world class research scientist and also because hotel. At that time, I was interested in working with polar natural his field of interest was one of the widest in the Department. compounds and developing the experimental part of my thesis Having almost zero experience in conducting research when I abroad. I was greatly interested in Prof. Kingston’s research lines first started graduate school, I did not realize at the time how involving natural products and anticancer agents. A few years much I needed to learn about the scientific method and that was later I was in Blacksburg with two children for a one year and perhaps the most valuable education I received from David. I a half period of intensive studies in a friendly and productive like to think that thinking critically as a scientist has carried me group. I brought with me some extracts from Brazilian plants through my professional and personal life as much as anything to study their anticancer potential using the mutated strains else. In addition, I got a few more bonuses on which I had not of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In Prof. Kingston’s lab I had the counted, which were communication skills and a patient respect opportunity to work side by side with Dr. Leslie Gunatilaka who for colleagues and, frankly, everyone. along with Prof. Kingston made me more knowledgeable and David has always shown a strong interest in my gave me experience with bioassay-guided isolation techniques. entrepreneurial career and has always been available to help and On returning to Brazil I brought some strains of S. cereviseae in advise me whenever I needed it. I feel like David has been one my suitcase. These allowed me to start a special and generous of my biggest fans and I bet I am not the only one of David’s collaboration with Prof. Kingston, that resulted in the testing of former students that feels the same way. hundreds of Brazilian plant extracts over the period of several So, from this former student, I want to say thank you David years. for the great mentoring and congratulations on a great and I have great memories of my time in Blacksburg where I prolific career as a Scientist and Professor. made several friends. I am grateful to Prof. Kingston for all the —Tom Piccariello support I received to develop my work successfully. I hope Prof. Kingston continues in this next stage with all Prior to joining Dr. Kingston’s lab, I was working with his energy and vitality and that he may continue to enjoy great many plants from my country of origin, Madagascar. Joining his and profitable moments together with his lovely family and lab to work on bioassay-guided fractionation of antiproliferative friends. plant, microbial and marine organism extracts under his —Ligia Valente guidance definitely helped me grow in the field. As shown by

8 ELEMENTS OF NOTE GRAD STUDENT WINS BIG NSF FELLOWSHIP

BY CORRIN LUNDQUIST

The 2019–2020 academic year was a year of achievement for graduate student Abby Bratton. Last fall, Bratton was named the recipient of the inaugural Thomas C. Ward Graduate Fellowship and in the spring, she was named a 2020 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) Awardee.

Now a second-year researcher in associate professor John Matson’s group, Bratton’s proposal focused on synthesis and applications of new degradable polymers based on polypeptides and polysaccharides.

“I am elated that Abby has received this prestigious fellowship,” wrote Matson. “She is a very deserving recipient of this honor because of her academic achievements, her abilities in the lab, Top: Graduate student Abby Bratton her vision for a future built on sustainable materials, and her Bottom: Assistant professor Michael Schulz commitment to advancing women in STEM fields.” application,” Schulz said. He started the workshop in the fall The five-year fellowship provides three years of support for of 2018 after noticing that incoming graduate students had graduate students in a STEM or STEM education field. Over the potential to be national fellowship contenders, but either 13,000 graduate students from across the country applied to the simply weren’t aware of the opportunity or didn’t yet have an program in the 2020 application cycle but only 2,000 received advisor that could guide them through the application process. a fellowship. The program is the oldest of its kind and its Because the eligibility period is short (students are only eligible recipients go on to lead highly successful careers. for the NSF GRFP during the first two years of their graduate work) and competition is fierce, experienced guidance is critical “I’m very honored and excited to receive this award and thankful for a successful application. The eight-week workshop guides to everyone that has helped me reach this point,” Bratton wrote. students through different components of the application and “I look forward to continuing my graduate career and have the provides a community for peer review and feedback. While opportunity to focus on research.” there were a few honorable mentions in the first year of the workshop, there were no winners, making Bratton the first. Bratton was a member of the second cohort of students that took part in an NSF GRFP Application Workshop, started “I’m very excited that Abby was successful,” said Schulz. “This and run by assistant professor Michael Schulz. Although the prestigious national fellowship reflects the high caliber of workshop primarily focuses on the NSF GRFP, the information graduate students that our program attracts.” is applicable to other competitive fellowships. Bratton is the first student in many years to receive the “My goal is to let them know about these fellowship opportunities fellowship, but with the continuation of Schulz’ course, she early, encourage them to apply, and help them craft a strong likely won’t be the last.

2020 9 OF NOTE /

COLLEEN KRAFT ADDED TO HALL OF DISTINCTION

Dr. Colleen Kraft, M.D., M.B.A. FAAP (B.S. She left VTCSOM in 2014 to join the faculty at ‘81) was selected to be inducted to the College Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Science’s Hall of Distinction. The Hall of and served there as the medical director of a Distinction honors individuals who best embody pediatric population health initiative. In 2018, the College’s goals of enhancing the well-being she was elected president of the American and development of their local communities, the Academy of Pediatrics, a one-year appointment, commonwealth, the nation, and the world, and where she championed the welfare of refugee through their deeds exemplify the University children. motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). More recently, Kraft returned to the department Kraft, who went on to become a pediatrician, to give the commencement address to the Class of served as the Founding Program Director of 2019, for which she received a standing ovation. the Pediatric Residency at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM).

RYAN FORTENBERRY HONORED BY COS

Ryan Fortenberry (Crawford Ph.D. ‘12) was At the University of Mississippi, Fortenberry’s selected for the 2019–2020 Outstanding Recent research is focused on using computational Alumni Award from the College of Science techniques to explore the structure and (COS). Each year, the Virginia Tech Alumni detectable spectra for novel molecular species in Association recognizes a recent alumni from the interstellar medium, planetary atmospheres each college that has distinguished themselves and proto-planetary disks. As an independent professionally since graduation. Fortenberry researcher, he has published over 80 papers in is an assistant professor of chemistry and fields ranging across the chemical subdisciplines, biochemistry at the University of Mississippi particularly focused on astrophysics, education and recently published a book, titled Complete and communication. Science Communication: A Guide to Connecting with Scientists, Journalists and the Public, in 2018.

IN MEMORIAM: PETER LOBUE (B.S. ‘01)

The Department of Chemistry is saddened to share the passing Cincinnati in 2015 and was on track to graduate with a Ph.D. of alumnus Peter Lobue (B.S. ‘01). While at Virginia Tech, in chemistry in the spring. With his background in analytical Lobue performed undergraduate research with Professors chemistry, he began a new position last fall as a consultant Daniel Crawford and Harry Gibson. After graduation, he to the Environmental Protection Agency, working on water worked as a scientist at a small biopharma company in quality issues. Lobue passed away on April 1, 2020 and is Colorado before moving to northern Kentucky with his wife survived by his wife Amy and son Michael. in 2014. He joined the doctoral program at the University of

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JOHN MATSON NAMED FACULTY FELLOW

Associate professor John Matson has been made from peptides as mechanisms for drug named the Dr. A.C. Lilly Jr. Faculty Fellow delivery, catalysis, and enhanced sensing. in Nanoscience by the Board of Visitors. The fellowship provides three years of support to Matson has authored over 70 papers and given outstanding faculty members dedicated to the over 60 invited lectures. He is a past recipient field of nanoscience. of the National Science Foundation CAREER Award and received a Camille and Henry A member of the faculty since 2012, Matson’s Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award in 2018. In interdisciplinary research group uses chemistry 2019 he was elected a Titular Member of the to answer biological questions, discover new Polymer Division of the International Union of therapeutics, explore new polymer topologies, Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) for the and design sustainable materials for a broad 2020 biennium and serves on editorial advisory variety of applications. Currently, the group is boards for journals including Polymer Chemistry, investigating the use of water-soluble nanohelices and Journal of Polymer Science. BOB MOORE APPOINTED MII DIRECTOR

Professor Robert Moore has been appointed science and engineering (MACR) graduate as director of the Macromolecules Innovation degree program. Institute (MII). Moore has been a part of the Virginia Tech MII was founded in 2004 as the Macromolecules community since 2007. A Fellow of the and Interfaces Institute under the leadership of American Chemical Society since 2013, Moore’s research professor emeritus S. Richard Turner. research focuses on nanoscale characterization An interdisciplinary science and engineering of ion-containing polymers, thermo-reversible research center focused on polymeric materials, gels, and functionalization of semicrystalline MII builds on a long history of polymer chemistry polymers in the gel state. Previous to his at Virginia Tech with predecessor organizations appointment, he also served as the director of the dating back to the 1970s. Currently, the institute MACR graduate degree program and as associate counts more than 60 affiliated faculty across the director of research for the Institute for Critical university and 43 students in its macromolecular Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS).

JOLI HUYNH RECEIVES STAFF AWARD

Graduate Program Coordinator Joli Huynh coordinating and welcoming them at graduate received one of two 2020 College of Science student recruiting weekend to scheduling their Outstanding Staff Awards. The annual award thesis defense and everything in between, she recognizes staff members whose consistent supports the students at each stage of their excellence advances their department, school, graduate career. She often takes the role of academy and/or the college. confidante, advocate and friend to the program’s 140+ students, guiding them as they navigate A member of the departmental community since what can be a demanding process. The success 2012, Huynh has worked tirelessly to support of the program and students is a testament to her both the graduate program and its students. From hard work and dedication.

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DEPARTMENT WELCOMES TWO NEW FACULTY MEMBERS

MEET DIANA IOVAN Diana Iovan, Ph.D. has joined the faculty Research Foundation and joined Chris Chang’s of the Department of Chemistry as an assistant lab at the University of California, Berkeley. professor of inorganic chemistry. Iovan There, she focused on investigating the role of earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry copper as a biological signaling agent. from the University of Richmond where she worked with professors Bill Myers and Dean Her research at Virginia Tech will combine Harman (University of Virginia) to examine synthetic inorganic, spectroscopic, and the reactivity of a tungsten dearomatization bioinorganic tools to tune and explore the agent towards activating pyrroles. She went reactivity of first-row transition metals. on to study at Harvard University under the She is particularly focused on developing​ tutelage of Ted Betley where she explored the synthetic and biological approaches for tuning electronic structure and reactivity of high-spin the reactivity of earth-abundant, first-row dipyrrinato iron complexes involved in C-H transition metals. bond animation. After receiving her Ph.D. in 2017, she was selected as a Howard Hughes In her spare time, she enjoys going for walks, Medical Institute Fellow of the Life Sciences reading, and spending time with friends.

MEET EMILY MEVERS Emily Mevers, Ph.D. has joined the At Virginia Tech, she is continuing the work faculty as an assistant professor of organic to understand the ecological role of small chemistry. Mevers earned her bachelor’s molecules produced by microbes in complex degree in chemistry from the University symbioses and leveraging this information for of South Florida where she identified new drug development. Specifically, her research is terpenes from nudibranchs with Bill Baker. focused on bacterial symbionts associated with She went on to obtain her Ph.D. at the tropical marine egg masses, the adaptations of University of California, San Diego, studying deep-sea extremophiles, and the interactions toxic secondary metabolites produced by between coral symbionts and pathogens. filamentous cyanobacteria with Bill Gerwick. After receiving her doctorate in 2014, she Outside of the lab, Mevers enjoys spending joined Jon Clardy’s lab at Harvard Medical time outside, either biking, hiking, kayaking School as a postdoctoral research fellow to or scuba diving, and volunteering in the work on identifying the ecological role of community. isolated small molecules.

12 ELEMENTS / OF NOTE AMANDA MORRIS PROMOTED TO FULL PROFESSOR

Morris’ research group works to improve In addition to her academic pursuits, Morris catalysis and light harvesting mimics inspired has a demonstrated record of service to the by nature’s photosynthetic system, specifically department, the university and the field. She has in the realm of metal organic frameworks. Her been serving as the department’s associate chair investigations of energy transfer phenomena since 2018 and, in this role, has championed the in MOFs have led to transformative scientific approval of the undergraduate program’s two results that have broken previous scientific new majors: polymer chemistry and medicinal precedence and thought and have major chemistry. Concurrently, she spearheaded implications for energy transfer systems. Morris the department’s involvement in the Howard has been recognized many times for her work, Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive most recently being named the Patricia Caldwell Excellence Program, which focuses on building Faculty Fellow by the Board of Visitors. inclusive educational practices in the sciences. GREG LIU PROMOTED TO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR WITH TENURE

Since joining the department in 2014, Liu’s lab outstanding results for a swath of applications has been addressing challenges faced by the including energy storage, water desalination energy and environmental science sectors. To and catalysis; understanding the polymer- this end, his research has been focused on two nanoparticle interface and designing composites classes of materials: polymers and nanoparticles. for energy and environmental applications such On one end, organic polymers are ubiquitous as heat-reflecting tinted glass; and developing with many applications. On the other, inorganic high performance polymers. nanoparticles have a tremendous number of optical, magnetic, catalytic and plasmonic Liu’s innovative work has already attracted properties. recognition with many awards including an NSF CAREER Award and was listed as an Emerging Specifically, the group is focused on synthesizing Investigator by Polymer Chemistry. Last year, Liu and processing block copolymer-based functional was named the Blackwood Junior Faculty Fellow porous carbon fibers. These fibers have shown by the Board of Visitors. MIKE BERG PROMOTED TO SENIOR INSTRUCTOR

An integral member of the department’s organic a grant from the Center for Excellence in chemistry teaching team, Dr. Mike Berg is a Teaching and Learning to create a short course champion of instuctional excellence. During the for underperforming students. Berg’s dedication 2018–2019 school year, he and fellow instructor to teaching was recognized by the department Dr. Maggie Bump worked together to figure with the Jimmy W. Viers Faculty Teaching out ways to improve student success in organic Award in 2012. chemistry. Together, the pair were awarded

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NOTABLE AWARDS

PAUL CHIRIK (B.S. ‘95) was selected for the 2020 Paul the Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular N. Rylander Award by the Organic Reactions Catalysis Materials and Manufacturing (BCSM3). Society (ORCS) for significant contributions to the field of catalysis of organic reactions. ANN MARIE MAY (B.S. ‘19) was selected for the 2020 Department of Defense National Defense Science and JOSEPH DESIMONE (McGrath Ph.D. ‘90) was awarded Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG). the 2021 Charles Goodyear Medal by the ACS Rubber Division, the highest honor of the division. ZHENGRUI XU of the Lin group received the 2020 Jean Ann Russe Skiles, Ph.D. ‘87 Graduate Fellowship from the KULJEET KAUR (Matson Ph.D. ‘19) was selected for the Virginia Tech College of Science. prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for Women in Science of the National Center of Competence in Each semester, the Graduate School provides graduate Research (NCCR) in Switzerland. student assistantships through the Graduate School Doctoral Assistantship program. The spring 2020 TIM LONG (McGrath Ph.D. ‘87) was selected to receive the awardees were: CHRIS SIBLEY (Santos group), ZHENGRUI 2020 Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council XU (Lin group), KRISTYNA CAGASOVA (Carlier group), KE of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). A former CAO (Liu group). The fall 2020 awardees were KEARSLEY professor within the department, Long moved in May to DILLON (Matson group), JUSTIN GRAMS (Santos group), Arizona State University to direct a new research initiative, DONG GUO (Liu group), and RUI ZHANG (Madsen group).

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT FENG LIN GROUP Assistant professor Feng Lin and his research and has implications in future battery energy group have been on a roll in recent months, density and stability research. publishing several papers in the likes of Matter, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, and Nature In September, graduate student Muhammad Cataylsis. Two of their works are highlighted Mominur "Momi" Rahman and Prof. Lin below. published work in Nature Communications titled “Defect and structural evolution under high- In August, Graduate student Zhengrui Xu energy ion irradiation informs battery materials published in Advanced Materials. The paper, design for extreme environments”. The paper titled “Charging Reactions Promoted by investigates the fundamental crystal defect Geometrically Necessary Dislocations in Battery dynamics in lithium and sodium layered oxide Materials Revealed by In Situ Single‐Particle cathodes for rechargeable alkali-ion batteries. Synchrotron Measurements”, demonstrates The findings presented can be utilized as a that dislocations may facilitate redox reactions guideline for designing battery materials under in layered oxide battery materials at low states extreme environments such as outer space and of charge. The discovery lays the groundwork nuclear power industries. for further research into the precise control of Top: Graduate student Zhengrui Xu crystallographic defects and their distribution Bottom: Graduate student Momi Rahman

14 ELEMENTS / OF NOTE 2020 AWARDS CEREMONY

Each spring, the Department of Chemistry hosts an award ceremony to recognize the achievements of students, faculty and staff. Many of the awards would not be possible without the generous support and philanthropy of our alumni and friends.

Student Awards Undergraduate Academic Undergraduate Awards Undergraduate Poster Session Winners Scholarships 1st - Madison Bardot 2nd - Angelique Cheung ACS Analytical Chemistry Award Dr. Roy H. Bible ‘48 Memorial Piper Macnicol 3rd - Emily Stacy Scholarship Cameron Brillhart ACS Inorganic Chemistry Award Graduate Awards Savannah Phillips Julius P. Bilisoly Endowed Scholarship William H. Starnes, Jr. and Sofia Rachel Bradley ACS Organic Chemistry Award M. Starnes Endowed Chemistry Anna Falls Fellowship Kearsley Dillon John B. and Sarah Hopper Harvie Endowed Scholarship ACS Physical Chemistry Award Adam Gaghan Robert Smith Graduate Research Award Muhammad Mominur Rahman Meng Cai Dallas A. Kinser & Robert T. Johnson ACS-Hach Land Grant Russell Fritzemeier Scholarship Undergraduate Scholarship Cole Mitchell Chad Knapik Joe Re Graduate Teaching Award John William May ‘42 Scholarship Ryan Archer Anna Falls Justin Grams ACS-Virginia Blue Ridge Section James Andrew Mayne Lewis Howe Award Ogliaruso Family Scholarship Rachel Bradley Sarita Hough Nick Bowers

Academic Excellence Award Graduate Service Award Charles B. Walker Scholarship Madison Bardot Daniel Cairnie Madison Bardot Rachel Bradley Cameron Brillhart R.S. Whiton Scholarship Anna Falls Faculty and Staff Awards Robert Smith Natalie Novotna Savannah Phillips Harold M. McNair Staff Service Award James E. McGrath Undergraduate Robert Smith EMillie Shephard Research Award Katherine Vaughn Madison Bardot Alan F. Clifford Faculty Service Award Jim Tanko General Chemistry Viers Achievement Award Jazz Colson John C. Schug Research Award Kirk Dickson Greg Liu Grace Joy Jason Krein Jimmy W. Viers Teaching Award Jared Stevens Paul Deck

Karen J. Brewer Memorial Award Abby Resner Laura Dainton

2020 15 IN MEMORIAM

16 ELEMENTS / IN MEMORIAM

Thomas C. Ward July 10, 1941 – February 28, 2020

BY CORRIN LUNDQUIST

Thomas Carl Ward was born July 10, 1941 in Angier, North Carolina to Thomas and Geraldine Ward. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from North Carolina State University in 1963 and master’s and doctoral degrees in polymer chemistry from Princeton University in 1966. After graduation, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland before working at the University of Essex in Colchester, England. Ward joined the faculty at Virginia Tech in 1968 where he remained until his retirement in 2006.

At Virginia Tech, he was named the Adhesive and Sealant Council Professor of Chemistry and during his career made many contributions to the understanding of complex multiple phase systems and their strength of attachment to one another. He also co-taught polymer chemistry short courses for the American Chemical Society (ACS) for nearly forty years and won several awards for his teaching including the ACS’ Paul J. Flory Polymer Education Award in 2004. In 2006, he received the Robert L. Patrick Fellowship from The Adhesion Society for his research contributions to fundamental knowledge of the physical properties of polymers and adhesives as well as for his dedication and excellence to teaching the polymer chemistry community.

Outside of the lab, Ward was a lifelong athlete. According to his wife Randall, he learned to play tennis at a young age and his love for the sport continued throughout his life. John Dillard, a professor emeritus of the department, added that Ward was “a competitive basketball player, an accomplished golfer, and a dedicated tennis enthusiast.” Throughout his career, he regularly played all three sports with colleagues both from within and outside of the department. Dillard fondly remembers their decades-long tradition of annual tennis matches. “Larry Taylor and I came to VT Chemistry in 1967, and Tom Ward and Phil Hall arrived in Chemistry in 1968. After a few years, the four of us started to play doubles tennis; Taylor/Dillard vs. Ward/Hall; the pairings never changed!” The tennis matches continued on a near annual basis for thirty years, starting in Blacksburg before bouncing around to various vacation spots. Randall reflected that “Tom always said you could tell a lot about a person by their actions on a small boat and on a tennis court. In doubles tennis, the measure was honest effort, courtesy, teamwork and recognizing a good shot even from your opponent.” Despite the group’s competitiveness, a score was never kept, only the memories.

Above all, he is best remembered for his dedication to his students. Randall wrote that, to her husband, passing on his knowledge through any means necessary was his main goal in life. While he was a quiet, thoughtful man, it was clear that mentoring was incredibly important to him as he kept up with many of his students long after they left the lab and even after he retired. This care has had a lasting impact on his students and two years ago, his former students, friends and family began a graduate fellowship in his honor. At the dedication of the fellowship in October 2018, his daughter Cynthia addressed his alumni and shared how he kept his students close to his heart: “My dad has always seen his students as [his] intellectual children. We grew up with you and his colleagues as part of our family tapestry.” He was beloved by all and will be sincerely missed by his family, friends, colleagues and students.

2020 17 IN MEMORIAM /

18 ELEMENTS / IN MEMORIAM

Raymond E. Dessy September 3, 1931 – March 17, 2020

BY CORRIN LUNDQUIST

Raymond Edwin Dessy was born September 3, 1931 in Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania to Raymond and Martha Dessy. He earned a bachelor of public health in pharmacology in 1953 and a Ph.D. in chemistry in 1956, both from the University of Pittsburgh. Immediately after graduating, he did postdoctoral work in synthetic organic chemistry with Dr. Melvin Newman at The Ohio State University. Dessy went on to join the faculty at the University of Cincinnati. In 1959, he married Annabelle Lee, who became well known as Dessy’s right hand.

Dessy’s early research focused on organometallic chemistry and, in 1963 with the help of his wife Lee, he served as the chairman and organizer of the first annual International Conference on Organometallic Chemistry (ICOMC). The conference was a success and is still being held today.

Three years later, the couple landed at Virginia Tech where Dessy made significant, fundamental contributions to the burgeoning field of organometallic chemistry. Later in his career, Dessy pivoted his focus to the integration and implementation of the then-emerging technology of computers in research labs. In 1986, he won the first ACS Award for Computers in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, then sponsored by Digital Equipment Corporation, for his outstanding individual achievement for the use of computers in education, product development or research in the chemical and biological sciences. After retiring and receiving emeritus status in 1994, Dessy pursued other research interests in various fields outside chemistry including sociology and music, specifically Blues history and Renaissance wind instruments. He also continued his scientific pursuits and received research awards from the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation. The most recent of these was the Senior Scientist Mentor Award in 2015 which allowed him to maintain a research program with undergraduate students. During this three-year grant program, his research focused on naturally derived plasmonic nanoparticles in plants, but his mentorship reached far beyond the program.

David Sherrer (B.S. Physics ‘92, M.S. Electrical Engineering ‘96) shares the impact Dessy had in an email: “I wouldn’t have completed undergrad, nevertheless gone to grad school,” he wrote. “There is hardware since invented going to space for earth science missions that couldn’t exist if not for Ray. He was my greatest mentor and advocate­—saw something in me when I had lost faith in myself. I have never met another man quite like him in my life.”

Dessy was likewise beloved by members of the department with faculty and staff fondly remembering him as a constant source of conversation, encouragement and curiosity. A true ray of light in Davidson’s halls, he could always be counted on for deep scientific discussions in the hallway, leaving long and thoughtful voicemails, lending a hand to clean a dirty floor and caring for his fellow faculty members and staff. In their spare time, he and his wife Lee raised and trained dressage horses and enjoyed playing blues music together. The pair even published several articles on the chemistry, physics and history of the recorder in the quarterly magazine of the American Recorder Society, American Recorder.

2020 19 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Department of Chemistry (0212) Blacksburg, VA 24060 Permit No. 28 Davidson Hall Room 480, Virginia Tech 1040 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061

HELP YOUNG CHEMISTS GET STARTED ON THE RIGHT FOOT

Contributions from our alumni and friends help our many deserving undergraduate and graduate students by providing state-of-the-art facilities, expanding research activities and allowing the department to respond to new opportunities immediately.

To make an immediate contribution to the Department of Chemistry Annual Fund, you may visit the university’s website at givingto.vt.edu or contact the Office of Gift Accounting at (800) 533-1144.

For more information or to learn about other ways to support the Department of Chemistry, please contact Wade Stokes, Assistant Dean of Advancement, at (540) 231-4033 or [email protected].

We thank you in advance for your support.