Graduate Students Laud Their Research, Collaboration, and Diversity Committee 3 Leadership Opportunities

December 2013

Chem news Department of Chemistry Newsletter

Inside this issue… Graduate students laud their research, collaboration, and Diversity Committee 3 leadership opportunities

Safety initiative Opportunities to conduct research, work in collaborative environments, work 4 with some of the top scientists in their fields, and participate in a variety of outreach and leadership activities are some of the recurring themes that 6Outstanding alumni arise from the Department of Chemistry’s outstanding graduate students. “In my experience, graduate school is designed to make you aware of how much you don’t know,” Student honors said Katherine “Katie” Hurley, a fourth-year 14 graduate student working with Professor Christy Haynes. “I have definitely experienced this through learning by immersion, and although it Promotions is sometimes painful, I am academically much 16 better prepared because of it. In five years, I may not remember much of what I learned in my first year classes, but I will remember how to approach New professors problems efficiently and where to look for the 18 specific knowledge I need.” The graduate students laud the Department of Regents Professor Chemistry for the opportunities to participate in collaborative research in outstanding facilities. 22 Maria Miranda safely examines some chemicals needed “My favorite part of the graduate school experi- for her research in an inert atmosphere glove box. ence has been working together with colleagues Donors in my research group and in other close collabo- 26 rations,” said Hurley. “The people make my hard The collaborative environment that the de- work worthwhile with the creativity, intellectual partment fosters, both within the department stimulation, and encouragement they provide.” and outside of it, is truly invaluable, said Maria continued on page 9 message from the Chair

Chem news Top-notch student December 2013 researchers, new faculty, Department of Chemistry Chair William Tolman new initiatives Editor Eileen Harvala The continual sense of excitement and Department of Chemistry College of Science & Engineering renewal on campus as new students and University of Minnesota Smith Hall new faculty begin their work every fall is 207 Pleasant Street, S.E. one of the most inspiring aspects of life in Minneapolis, MN 55455 academia. The youthful enthusiasm they The Department of Chemistry is dedicated to providing a world-class education through its classroom and laboratory teaching; and creating Chair William Tolman bring to their work is contagious! new scientific knowledge through research aimed at solving some of society’s most important human We feature their contributions in this newsletter alternative energy sources, and nanotechnology. health, energy, and environmental problems. in a number of articles. The top-notch research Ian works in the area of organometallic chemis- This publication is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to Eileen Harvala we do is performed largely by students within try with the aim of developing new catalysts for at 612-624-0831 or [email protected]. our interdisciplinary research groups. Their sustainable materials, atom-economic processes, The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity stories are fascinating, and reflect both the and chemical fuels. Erin’s research focuses on educator and employer. The university’s mission, tremendous opportunities to tackle exciting sci- the problem of antibiotic resistance through the carried out on multiple campuses and throughout the state, is threefold: research and discovery, entific problems we provide as well as the diverse use of chemical biology and systems biology teaching and learning, and outreach and backgrounds and insights they bring to their technologies to understand bacterial pathogen- public service. work. It’s clear that what they learn by creating esis and identify potential therapeutic agents. © 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. knowledge at the forefront of science through Together, these new faculty bring an infusion independent research has immeasurable impact. of new energy and enthusiasm to our efforts to push our field forward. On top of the extraordinary work of our current faculty, highlighted most recently by the selec- I’m also proud that with the hires of Renee tion of Professor Timothy Lodge as a Regents and Erin, more than a quarter of our faculty Professor (the highest honor for faculty in the are women, which is well above the national av- university, and the third in our department!), erage of approximately 16 percent. Excellence I’m thrilled that we’ve succeeded in hiring four requires diversity; we cannot afford to neglect Stay in Touch new faculty members this past year. Three are any fraction of the population in our efforts tenure-track assistant professors just beginning to attract the best faculty and students to our Visit our website at their faculty careers this past summer: Renee program. Toward this end, we have initiated www.chem.umn.edu Frontiera, James Johns, and Ian Tonks. A fourth, a new effort aimed at making our program Erin Carlson, whom we attracted to the Twin more effective at supporting and recruiting Cities from the University of Indiana, joins us in people from all backgrounds and orientations. July 2014, as a tenured associate professor. Take A new Diversity Committee, composed of Join our Facebook group a few minutes to survey their profiles in these faculty, staff, and both undergraduate and pages. James’ research combines atomic and graduate students, is leading the way. Keeping molecular resolution imaging techniques such our workplace safer also remains a critical as scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic objective, and the continued leadership of stu- Follow us at Twitter force microscopy with ultrafast spectroscopy to dents and postdoctoral associates in improv- determine how the structure of material inter- ing our culture of safety through their work faces can facilitate or hinder charge transfer in on our Joint Safety Team (JST) is garnering photovoltaic and photocatalytic systems. Renee national attention. I am excited to work with Join the Chemistry Department focuses on the development of new spectro- the JST and the Diversity Committee to make group on LinkedIn scopic techniques to probe fundamental and our department the most welcoming and applied issues in membrane protein biophysics, openly supportive environment for all. 2 Chem news December 2013 New Diversity Committee works on enhancing culture of openness, acceptance and support

The Department of Chemistry is committed to being an open and welcoming space for all of its students, postdoctorates, faculty, and staff. But what does that mean? How is that practiced? How can a culture of openness, acceptance, and support be enhanced?

Those are just some of the questions being considered by the department’s new Diversity Committee, which was formed in June 2013. Professor Lee Penn chairs the committee, which includes Professors Philippe Buhlmann, Connie Lu and Aaron Massari, Graduate Student Rebecca Lindsey, Undergraduate Student Kadir Hussein, and Communications Coordinator Eileen Harvala. Department of Chemistry Chair William Tolman hopes that the Diversity Committee will evaluate and assess diversity at all levels in the department. He would then like the committee to develop proposals for additional activities and initiatives aimed at improving the department’s diversity, and enhancing the experiences and mentoring of people who are in underrepresented groups, are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer, or otherwise contribute to the diversity of the department. Department of Chemistry Diversity Committee members are, front row, from left, Graduate Student Rebecca Lindsey, Professor Connie Lu, and Communications Coordinator Eileen Harvala. Back row, from left, Professor Aaron Massari, Undergraduate Student Kadir Hussein, Professor Philippe Buhlmann, and Professor Lee Penn. “… to attain excellence, diversity of the department and experiences; also want to serve as confidential advisers or we must actively pursue evaluating current activities and training that adjudicants for people who might have concerns, inclusiveness.” address diversity and their effectiveness; and conflicts, issues, or questions. considering possible activities and initiatives A website, www.chem.umn.edu/diversity, clearly that might address some of the identified needs. —William Tolman, chair of the outlines the department’s commitment to This evaluation also encompasses looking at Department of Chemistry excellence through diversity. That commitment recruitment for the chemistry’s educational, is, “The Department of Chemistry is united research, and outreach programs. in the belief that diversity in all of its forms is “The drive for diversity is driven to a large ex- Committee members are developing a cadre of re- valued. Collaboration among people of all cul- tend by the simple fact that recruiting the best sources and possible initiatives such as looking at tures and backgrounds enhances our experience people requires that the pool of available candi- the need for note takers for students with limited as scientists and contributes to excellence in dates be as large as possible,” said Tolman. “If English; conducting meet-and-greet gatherings; teaching, learning, and research. We strive to we are to be outstanding in all that we do, then hosting training sessions for all members of the promote a climate that celebrates our differenc- we must be openly accepting of all the diverse department; enhancing outreach activities, partic- es and strengthens our department by embrac- people in our community; to attain excellence, ularly research opportunities for high school and ing and working to increase our diversity.” That we must actively pursue inclusiveness.” undergraduate students; and hosting seminars or website also has links to resources, and outlines speakers who understand the needs and hurdles of the department’s efforts. Currently, committee members are asking a facing diverse populations. Committee members lot of questions by conducting research on the

3 Chem news December 2013 Safety initiative attracts national attention due to focus on student, postdoctorate leadership

What began as a first-of- The Joint Safety Team (JST), which is led by ❚❚Education: improve the training and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers ongoing education of laboratory safety its-kind pilot safety initiative in the departments of Chemistry and Chemical officers and researchers. Engineering and Materials Science, continues less than two years ago Hurley said that this safety campaign is making to work hard on its efforts to improve and a difference. “People are really conscious about is now an embedded sustain the culture of safety in laboratories, part of the culture of two including building safety awareness and departments in the College improving safety practices. Its efforts are paying off with growing awareness, acceptance, “Safety is in the process of of Science & Engineering. compliance, and support. The success of this being adopted as a standard student-led initiative has gleaned university and national attention. part of our culture.” “It is going really well,” said Katherine “Katie” —Katie Hurley, chair of the Hurley, a fourth-year graduate student in the Joint Safety Team Department of Chemistry and chair of the Administrative Committee JST Administrative Committee. “Some of the barriers to safety have been removed. Safety is in the process of being adopted as a standard wearing the appropriate protective equipment part of our culture,” she said. in the labs; Safety Moments before all of our The Joint Safety Team was formed more than a meetings are becoming routine; laboratory year and a half ago through a unique partner- safety officers (LSOs) are more confident in ship with the Dow Chemical Company. The their responsibilities; our laboratory inspections Dow Chemical Company is sharing its best- are now expected and accepted; and people are in-class laboratory safety practices, examples, asking questions about safety,” she said. advice, and resources with U of M students One of the JST’s priority goals for 2014 is to and postdoctorates. develop and implement an incentive program Last fall, the JST launched a safety campaign designed to honor individuals and laboratories focused on four key areas—CARE: for their safety compliance and efforts. Dow Chemical Company also provided funds for ❚❚Compliance: improve compliance with lab new and additional safety posters that are standards on hazardous waste handling, strategically displayed in the hallways of the sample and chemical storage, lab cleanli- departments’ buildings. ness, and the wearing of personal protec- Since its creation, it was hoped that what tive equipment (PPE); was learned from this pilot program would ❚❚Awareness: improve awareness of safety be shared with others at the University of hazards, best practices, and available re- Minnesota and other universities as well. Re- sources around the theme of Safety Starts cently, the JST has been concentrating on such with U!; outreach at a variety of levels. Teams members have made presentations at the university and ❚❚Resources: improve the quality of and college levels and for other departments. They access to safety resources, including the developed a comprehensive video about the standardization of laboratory signs, JST and its work for Ohio State University. development of a safety website, and PPE In January, Hurley will make a presentation such as goggles, lab coats, and gloves; and

4 Chem news December 2013 “We are changing the culture of safety, led by the very students and postdoctorates who spend the most time working in the laboratories.”

—William Tolman, chair of the Department of Chemistry

Members of the Joint Safety Team Administrative Committee are, from left, Katie Peterson, Ryan Knutson, Committee Chair Katherine “Katie” Hurley, Chris Smith, Alyssa McKenna (from the Department of Chem- ical Engineering and Materials Science), Research Safety Specialist Anna Sitek from the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, and Melissa Baudhuin. about the JST and its initiatives at Duquesne the article, “Student Involvement in Improving This safety initiative is hard work, but the University in Pennsylvania. In April, the JST the Culture of Safety in Academic Laborato- approximately 65 members of the JST are highly will tell its story at a Materials Research Society ries,” reads: “An effective way of addressing committed. The JST is developing a new set of meeting. Team members have also made the need for an improved culture of safety safety posters with financial support from the presentations and demonstrations at schools, in research-intensive science departments is Dow Chemical Company; its leadership team including the Chisago County Middle School described, which involves enabling leadership continues to streamline its work; it continues to Safety Camp. by graduate student and postdoctoral associate let students know, including incoming first-year laboratory safety officers (LSOs). In part- graduate students, about expectations for safety; The JST’s work could serve as a blueprint to nership with The Dow Chemical Company, it provides safety information to everyone in help universities across the country change LSOs from the Departments of Chemistry and both departments through its website at their safety cultures. Department of Chemistry Chemical Engineering and Materials Science http://www.jst.umn.edu; and it invites students Chair William Tolman testified about the com- at the University of Minnesota formed a Joint and post doctorates who are interested to position and work of the Joint Safety Team at a Safety Team. With helpful input from Dow, attend its meetings and become involved. National Research Council meeting. The Na- the team has played a key role in improving the tional Research Council, through its Board on Other members of the JST Administrative culture and practice of safety in both depart- Chemical Science and Technology and Board Committee are Katie Peterson, treasurer, Ryan ments, providing support for use of this model on Human Systems Integration, is examining Knutson, website manager, Kelly Volp and for inculcating safety as a core value and an safety in academic research laboratories. It will Melissa Baudhuin, education and resources; integral part of academic life.” publish and distribute its findings, conclusions, and Chris Smith, public relations, who are all and recommendations for improving safety in “The unique approach we are taking is really from the Department of Chemistry, and Alyssa the spring of 2014. catching the attention of other departments McKenna, analysis and compliance, who is in the U.S.,” said Tolman. “We are changing from the Department of Chemical Engineering An article about this safety initiative was the culture of safety, led by the very students and Materials Science. For additional informa- published in the Journal of Chemical Education and postdoctorates who spend the most time tion, send the JST an email at [email protected]. (DOI:10.1021/ed400305e). The abstract for working in the laboratories.”

5 Chem news December 2013 Alumni news

The University of Minnesota Arthur J. Coury, Ph.D. Board of Regents honored Arthur J. Coury was honored for his outstand- His teaching positions have included adjunct alumni Arthur J. Coury, Ph.D., ing contributions to biomedical device and appointments at the University of Minne- biomaterials research and sota and the Harvard-MIT and Darrel F Untereker, Ph.D., development. His prolific Graduate Program in Health as 2013 recipients of the scientific work, extensive Sciences and Technology. service to the academic and His professional service has Outstanding Achievement industrial scientific commu- included: chair, Minnesota Award (OAA). The OAA nities, and selfless mentoring Section, American Chemical has had a positive impact on Society (1989-1990); presi- honors graduates who have innumerable lives. dent, Society for Biomaterials, USA (1999-2000); president, attained unusual and noted Coury earned a doctorate American Institute for Medical in inorganic chemistry distinction in their chosen and Biological Engineering and a Master of Business (2003-2004); and membership fields, professions, and pub- Administration from the on several university, society, University of Minnesota. lic service, and who have and corporate advisory boards. He obtained a bachelor’s demonstrated outstanding degree in chemistry from Arthur J. Coury Coury has received many achievement and leadership. the University of Delaware. honors for his contributions to science and biomaterials research. His Coury’s career focus has been on polymeric bio- recent recognitions include being inducted materials for medical products such as implant- into the National Academy of Engineering able electronic devices, hydrogel-based devices, in 2009, and being inducted as a Fellow of and drug delivery systems. He has held a number the American Chemical Society in 2011. He of senior-level biomedical positions, including received the 2012 Pierre Galletti Award of the senior research chemist at General Mills, Inc.; American Institute for Medical and Biological director, polymer technology and research fellow Engineering, the 2012 Founders Award of the at Medtronic, Inc.; vice president, research and Society for Biomaterials, and the 2007 Inno- chief scientific officer at Focal, Incorporated; and vation and Technology Development Award vice president, biomaterials research at Genzyme of the Society for Biomaterials. In 2007, he Corporation. He holds more than 50 patents and was named one the “100 Notable People in has widely published in the field of polymeric the Medical Device Industry” by the Medical biomaterials for medical products. Currently, he Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine. is a biomedical consultant.

Lester C. Krogh, Ph.D., 1925-2013 Lester Christensen Krogh, Ph.D., a chemical ka at Lincoln. For 38 years, he was a leader and engineer, chemist, and long-time 3M employee senior vice president of research and develop- who shared his passion for chemistry by endowing ment at 3M. two chemistry fellowships, died on Friday, In 1984, the University of Minnesota Board of January 25. He was 87. Regents honored Krogh with an Outstanding Krogh earned his doctorate in chemistry at the Achievement Award. This award honors grad- University of Minnesota in 1952. He earned his uates who have attained unusual and noted

M emori u m engineering degree from the University of Nebras- distinction in their chosen fields, professions, and Lester C. Krogh, Ph.D. in

6 Chem news December 2013 Two chemistry alumni receive Outstand ing Achievement Awards

Darrel F. Untereker, Ph.D. Darrel F. Untereker was honored for his surface science at the Uni- Untereker has more than 60 outstanding contributions to and leadership versity of North Carolina. publications in several fields of efforts to develop medical devices that He also earned a CER in as well as 40 patents. He improve the health of millions of people, his Business Administration has received many honors, service to the University of Minnesota and its from Stanford University. awards, and accolades for his Department of Chemistry, and his expertise, contributions to the scientific In 1976, Untereker joined problem-solving skills and management community, for his service Medtronic, Inc., where he is effectiveness that has been instrumental to the on industrial advisory boards, the vice president of Corpo- growth of Minnesota-based Medtronic, Inc. for his engineering achieve- rate Research and Technol- ments and service, and for his Untereker received his undergraduate chem- ogy, and a Senior Technical mentoring of younger scientists istry degree from the University of Minnesota Fellow. In his 37 years as and engineers. His awards in 1967, which was followed by two years of a scientist and technical include the Medtronic Star of post-graduate work in analytical chemistry leader at Medtronic, Inc., Darrel F. Untereker Excellence, the Medtronic Out- at the university. He received a doctorate in he has played key roles in the standing Initiative Award, and election to the chemistry from the University of New York at development of a myriad of technologies critical Bakken Society, the highest technical honor Buffalo in 1973, under the tutelage of Professor for medical devices. He has worked on lithium in Medtronic (named for Earl Bakken, the Stanley Bruckenstein, who was a professor in batteries, electrochemical sensors, and iontopho- founder of Medtronic). He is a Fellow in both the Department of Chemistry at the University retic drug delivery systems. He has led poly- the Electrochemical Society (ECS) and the of Minnesota from 1955 to 1968. Untere- mer, electrochemical and metallurgical science American Institute for Medical and Biological ker followed that with post-doctoral work in groups that use materials science and biomedical Engineering (AIMBE). He is a 2006 winner engineering to design of the Charles W. Britzius Distinguished En- implantable medical gineer Award for lifetime achievement in and devices. Since 1995, he service to the profession of engineering. “Darrel has a career filled with major has been involved in accomplishments in science, engineering, and, ultimately, has led Untereker also gives generously of his time to a corporate engineering the University of Minnesota, serving on the and business along with major services to sciences group that fo- IPRIME Advisory Board, presenting numer- those communities.” cuses on troubleshoot- ous lectures and workshops, and mentoring ing, problem solving young scientists and engineers. He also has —Professor Stanley Bruckenstein, and problem preven- served as a judge for the Department of University of Buffalo tion in all Medtronic Chemistry’s Third-Year Graduate Student businesses Research Symposium.

public service, and who have demonstrated Chemical Technology, Moscow Russia; active in fellowships that give financial support to chem- outstanding achievement and leadership. The technology transfer, serving on many small com- istry students in the College of Science and University also honored him with an Honorary pany boards; elected to the National Academy Engineering’s Department of Chemistry. Doctor of Science Degree. of Engineering, and received Earle B. Barnes Krogh was preceded in death by his first wife Krogh was active in many science organizations, and Senior Chemists Awards from the American Rosa C. Krogh and parents Clarence and Clara including being a member of the American Chemist Society. Krogh. He is survived by wife Joan, daughter Chemical Society for more than 50 years. He Because of his passion for chemistry and his Christine L. Brown (Baird), and son Charles J. served on many advisory boards with the Uni- commitment to the University of Minnesota, Krogh (Beth Hudson); four grandchildren; and versity of Minnesota and University of Nebraska. he and his wife Joan established the Lester C. two great-grandchildren. He was a trustee of Mendeleev Institute of and Joan M. Krogh Endowed Fellowships—two

7 Chem news December 2013 Alumni news Ertem receives Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence Mehmed Zahid Ertem, Ph.D., received the Department of Chemistry’s Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence for a thesis completed in 2012. Ertem received his doctorate in chemistry from Before coming to the University of Minnesota, artificial photosynthetic systems. I am also will- the University of Minnesota in 2012, working Ertem earned his bachelor’s degree with a dou- ing to pursue a tenure-track faculty position, with his adviser Professor Christopher Cramer. ble major in chemistry, and molecular biology hopefully, in the United States,” he said. Currently, Ertem is a post-doctoral research as- and genetics from Bogazici University, and The Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence is sociate at the Department of Chemistry at Yale a master’s degree in chemistry from Bogazici designed to honor outstanding Department of University, and the Department of Chemistry University. He also earned a master’s degree in Chemistry graduate students for their doc- at the Brookhaven National Laboratory under chemistry from the University of Minnesota. toral thesis research. A committee of faculty the guidance of Professors Victor Batista and “The Department of Chemistry offers a very members evaluated all of this year’s award John Tully. strong graduate program and I found it to be candidates. Ertem’s thesis research stood out as “I am thrilled to be the recipient of the Award both intellectually and personally rewarding,” the very best in the group of outstanding thesis for Doctoral Thesis Excellence,” said Ertem. said Ertem. “During my graduate work at Min- packages. Committee members also awarded an “I still can not believe that five years passed so nesota, I studied the computational modeling honorable mention to Melissa Maurer-Jones, quickly. Overall, my experiences here at Uni- of small molecule activation by transition metal Ph.D., from the Christy Haynes research versity of Minnesota were really amazing and based catalysts, and especially focused on cat- group. The best thesis award includes a $500 I need to thank my adviser Professor Cramer, alysts involved in oxygen activation and water honorarium and an invitation to present post- my fellow graduate students, post-doctorates, oxidation. In future, I am planning to work on doctoral research results at a future Department friends, and family for everything,” he said. developing computational methods and apply- of Chemistry seminar. ing them for modeling several components of

in Memorium Malcolm MacKenzie Renfrew, 1910-2013 Alumnus Malcolm MacKenzie Renfrew died and made its first public presentation at the ported Advisory Council on College Chemistry on Saturday, October 12, 2013, his 103rd birth- national meeting of the American Chemical at Stanford University, and for some years con- day, in Moscow, Idaho. He earned his doctorate Society (ACS) in 1946. He later became director tinued responsibilities as director of the College in chemistry from the of chemical research and development for Chemistry Consultants Service. He also served University of Minnesota General Mills, Inc. in Minneapolis and for Spen- as safety editor of the Journal of Chemical in 1938. In 1977, he re- cer Kellogg and Sons in Buffalo, New York. Education and for four years was a member ceived an Outstanding In 1959, the Renfrews returned to Moscow, of the National Research Council’s Materials Achievement Award— where Malcolm headed the physical scienc- Advisory Board. Malcolm was a member of the the university’s highest es department of the University of Idaho. He American Association for the Advancement alumni honor. later chaired the chemistry department and of Science (Fellow), the American Institute of Malcolm Renfrew, Renfrew was born, Octo- officially retired as professor emeritus of chem- Chemical Engineers, the Society of Chemical Ph.D. ber 12, 1910, in Spokane, istry in 1976. In semi-retirement, he served the Industry (Brit), Sigma Xi, and Phi Beta Kappa. Washington. He grew up in Colfax, Washington, university as patent director and executive vice His many honors included awards for teaching and Potlatch, Idaho. He earned his bachelor’s president of the Idaho Research Foundation. by the ACS Northeastern Section and the Man- and master’s degrees in chemistry from the Renfrew was professionally active in the ACS ufacturing Chemists Association, and the ACS University of Idaho. While at the University of (Fellow), holding offices in three different divi- Santa Clara Valley Section Award honored his Idaho, he met and married Carol Campbell. In sions, and representing the Washington-Idaho service to the Society. Upon his retirement, the 1938, they moved to New Jersey, where DuPont Border Section in the national council. During a University of Idaho awarded him an honorary employed him in research on new plastics. sabbatical leave in 1967, he was a staff mem- Doctor of Science degree. The ACS Chemical He was involved in the development of Teflon ber of the National Science Foundation-sup- continued on page 27

8 Chem news December 2013 Graduate students continued from page 1

Miranda, a fifth-year graduate student, working under the tutelage of Professors Marc Hillmyer and Katherine William Tolman. It provides op- “Katie” Hurley portunities to interact with other Fourth-year graduate researchers with varying skill sets student as well as instills the importance of Adviser: Professor communication and networking Christy Haynes for success,” she said. Bachelor’s degree: Katherine “Katie” Carthage College, Rudisill said that his research Hurley Kenosha, WI projects have been highly collaborative, enabling him to work Fellowships/Honors/Awards: National with mechanical, electrical, and Science Foundation Graduate Research biomedical engineers. “It has Fellowship Program fellowship; Agnes been quite eye-opening to see Hansen Travel Award, Xi Chapter of Grad- how differences in expertise cause uate Women in Science; Beaker and Bun- people to approach problems from sen Award, Third Year Graduate Student completely different angles,” he Research Symposium; Mary Haga Travel said. “The number one lesson I’ll Award, Xi Chapter of Graduate Women take away from graduate school is in Science; American Chemical Society how important cross-disciplinary Paul “Alex” Rudd checks an experiment he is working on. Travel Award for the fourth EuCheMS collaboration and effective team Chemistry Congress in Prague, Czech management is for solving prob- Republic; and invited talk for Cancer lems efficiently.” Nanotechnology Conference at Dart- acterization work for them, or simply sug- mouth College, “Effects of Mesoporous Graduate students also have access to state-of- gesting methods to get particular information Silica Coating on the Transverse Relaxivity the-art research equipment and technology. out of a sample. Having a broad background of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles.” It is a dividend that they hope will pay off in characterization also means I’ve been able when searching for positions in industry or to learn about the many different research Future plans: During my time in graduate academia. projects my colleagues work on. “ school, I have learned that my favorite part of the scientific process is commu- nicating my results, particularly to those without expertise in my field.T herefore, I want my career to be heavy on commu- “The number one lesson I’ll take away from nication and teaching, but the specifics graduate school is how important cross- are still coming together. I would love to be a professor at a liberal arts college, disciplinary collaboration and effective team especially because I want to reach out to students who will not major in chemistry. management is for solving problems efficiently.” I want to make their required science classes as useful as possible and help —Stephen Rudisill them to develop into scientifically literate members of the public. I could also see myself working in a job as an editor for a scientific journal, a science writer for “I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to learn Not surprising, the graduate students appreciate a magazine, or a scientific adviser for the variety of materials characterization the opportunities to share their research with policy-makers. techniques we have available at the univer- others including as authors of papers published sity,” said Rudisill. “Not only has this made in prestigious scientific journals and to present me a more versatile researcher, but it has also their research at conferences or at poster sessions; allowed me to help out my fellow graduate to participate in outreach programs, and to be students, whether by undertaking some char- engaged in a variety of leadership activities.

continued on page 10 9 Chem news December 2013 Graduate students continued from page 9

Maria Miranda Stephen Rudisill “Volunteering at out- Fifth-year graduate Fifth-year graduate student student reach events provides Advisers: Professors Adviser: Professor Marc Hillmyer and Andreas Stein an excellent avenue William Tolman Bachelor’s degree: Be- Bachelor’s degree: loit College (first came to both share my Boston University, 2009, to the University of Min- Maria Miranda Stephen Rudisill working with Professor nesota as an Research excitement for science Linda Doerrer Experience for Under- graduates student in 2008 in the Department Fellowships/Honors/Awards: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and to get involved in of Chemistry Krogh/Block Grant Fellowship, Fellowships/Honors/Awards: 2013 Doctoral National Science Foundation Graduate the local community.” Dissertation Fellowship, and presenting a Research Fellowship, and Louise T. Dosdall winning talk at the 2012 Third Year Graduate —Rebecca Lindsey Fellowship for women in underrepresented Student Research Symposium. departments across the University of Min- Future plans: After graduation, I plan on work- nesota. Recipient of two travel grants: one ing in industrial research and development. for outstanding research and exemplary Miranda is active with outreach activities I’d like to find work on developing alterna- presentation at the 2012 Graduate Student through the Women in Science & Engineer- tive/sustainable energy production solutions, Research Symposium and another from the ing (WISE) group and through her research as I feel that’s the most pressing technical Xi Chapter of Graduate Women in Science. with the Center for Sustainable Polymers. She problem on the planet right now. The main also is active with a number of outreach proj- Future plans: Currently looking for jobs in project I worked on for my first four years was industry. on solar production of chemical fuels, which ects ranging from helping middle school girls has given me both a broad understanding of perform science experiments to developing Paul “Alex” Rudd the field, and some nitty-gritty details about exhibits for the EcoExhibit at the Minnesota Fifth-year graduate catalysis, efficiency, and scale-up. State Fair. student For Rebecca Lindsey, a fourth-year grad- Rebecca Adviser: Professor uate student working with Professor Ilja Connie Lu Lindsey Siepmann, outreach and volunteering is one Bachelor’s degree: Fourth-year graduate of her priorities, including serving on the Emory University in student Atlanta, GA department’s new Diversity Committee (see Paul “Alex” Rudd Adviser: Professor Ilja story on page 3). “Outside of the typical grad- Siepmann uate student activities, I have really enjoyed Fellowships/Honors/Awards: Won the Bachelor degree: all of the opportunities for outreach through competitive travel grant from the Amer- Rebecca Lindsey Wayne State University ican Chemical Society (ACS) Division of organizations like WISE and AMS (Associa- Fellowships/Honors/Awards: National Sci- Inorganic Chemistry for travel to the 2013 tion of Multicultural Scientists), just to name ence Foundation travel grant to attend the spring American Chemical Society confer- a few,” she said. “Volunteering at outreach PASI-3MS workshop on multiscale molecular ence in New Orleans, and the university’s events provides an excellent avenue to both modeling in Montevideo, Uruguay; award- Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship. I’ve also share my excitement for science and to get ed third place at the annual American published several first author papers in the involved in the local community.” Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Stu- Journal of the American Chemical Society dent Conference for poster presentation on Hurley and Rudd have been active in lead- (2011), Angewandte Chemie (2013), and energetic materials remediation research; ership roles with the Joint Safety Team, a the European Journal of Inorganic Chem- and scholarships and research grants at hard-working group of graduate students and istry (2013). Wayne State University. post-doctorates dedicated to improving the Future plans: I’m primarily applying for Future plans: Although I’m still in the process department’s culture of safety (see story on industrial research and development, of “figuring out” precisely what I want to page 4). although, I’m also on the lookout for inter- do upon graduation, the ultimate goal is to esting postdoctoral positions at national “Probably the most formative experience obtain a teaching position in which I can I’ve had here was the start of the Joint Safety laboratories. also conduct research. Team last year, after a personal, near-miss incident,” said Rudd. “It was really gratifying

10 Chem news December 2013 that people from two departments and incredibly diverse backgrounds Their Research were willing to spend the time and make the effort to make our labs Rebecca Lindsey a better place to work. Improving Broadly speaking, my research interests lab safety is a never-ending process are in the area of chemical separations that takes sustained effort, but and algorithm development in molecular I was impressed at how people simulation methods. Chromatography immediately stepped up and has been a ubiquitous method for chem- devoted much of their scant free ical separations for several decades; how- time toward the grueling process ever, due to the complex nature of these of developing a new system from systems, relatively little is known about scratch.“ the molecular mechanisms behind solute Hurley has added to her leadership retention events. Most of my research efforts are focused on describing the skills because of her experiences Katherine “Katie” Hurley conducts research in the laboratory. with the JST. “I have learned how retention mechanisms in these systems. to guide a group of very busy volun- Specifically, my research focuses on Hy- drophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatog- teers to make big cultural changes,” addition to understanding what needs to be raphy (HILIC), a method geared toward she said. “In particular, I have learned the done in order to accomplish my goals,” said the separation of polar molecules such as importance of delegating tasks to raise up Lindsey. Other resources and opportunities those found in pharmaceuticals. To do so, new leaders and of implementing change at a that have been helpful to her are the career I leverage molecular simulation in order measured pace to avoid burnout.“ workshops conducted by organizations such as to provide a virtual window into these the Graduate Student Workshop Committee complex chemical systems. From these and AMS, and the frequent opportunities to simulations information pertaining to the meet with seminar speakers. “I’ve received invaluable structures, dynamics, and thermodynam- “While here, I have learned the specifics of my ics governing retention can be obtained, support from both my research project, but I have also been trained which is particularly valuable for the on grant writing, research publication, and design of new column technologies. advisers as well as the mentoring,” said Hurley. “My adviser is par- department, which has ticularly good at making sure that her students have these skills before they leave, ensuring boosted my confidence that they will be able to enter the workforce with both scientific knowledge and leadership when entering the job potential.” market.” This support, advice and tutelage are invaluable to those about to receive their doctorates. —Marie Miranda “I’ve received invaluable support from both The figure shows the simulation system, my advisers as well as the department, which which uses a slit pore model. This system has boosted my confidence when entering the consists of a silica support with a diol job market,” said Miranda. “The industrial Do the graduate students think that the de- stationary phase grafted to the surface as recruiting effort in the department is unique partment has prepared them well for whatever well as freely floating water and acetoni- and provides graduates from the department the future holds? Yes, was the typical response. trile molecules, which act as the mobile an ‘in’ that otherwise would be very difficult In a large part, this is due to the tutelage of phase. The colors yellow, red, teal, white, to obtain. I think the collaborative spirit and their advisers, which goes beyond the ability and blue correspond to silicon, oxygen, reputation of the department also is a huge to conduct meaningful research and convey carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen mole- help to finding jobs. Because of the collab- that research in papers and poster sessions. cules respectively. orations I’ve participated in, I can clearly “Candid discussions with my adviser and illustrate my ability to work on teams and continued on page 12 other faculty in the department have been work with others, which I hope to be helpful very helpful in deciding on a career path in in landing a job in industry.”

11 Chem news December 2013 latest Research

Research continued from page 12

Katherine “Katie” Hurley In Professor Christy Haynes group, I work with various types Professor Andreas Stein of nanoparticles for biomedical Supercapacitors are charge storage devices applications. Primarily, I work that typically have higher power densities but with iron oxide nanoparticles, lower energy densities than rechargeable which are magnetic and can batteries. To increase the energy density, one therefore be used as MRI contrast can enlarge the interfacial area between agents or as heating agents for electrodes and electrolyte through the heat therapy. I also work with introduction of nanopores and employ mesoporous silica nanoparti- electrolytes that are stable over wider voltage cles, which have extremely high ranges, such as ionic liquids. However, due surface areas and pore volumes, to the relatively high viscosity of ionic liquids making them promising candi- and large ion sizes, these measures can result dates for drug delivery vehicles. in diminished power performance. Our team My work involves the synthesis, characterization, and application of these materials. My favorite developed carbon electrodes that overcome part is the characterization. I love being able to investigate a sample in detail and know as much as these limitations and simultaneously provide possible about it. high specific energies and high specific powers in EDLCs using the ionic liquid EMI-TFSI In one of my research projects, I am using my synthesis and characterization skills to help develop as an electrolyte. A colloidal crystal tem- a more fundamental understanding of how iron oxide nanoparticles can produce heat. When plating method was optimized to synthesize placed in an alternating magnetic field, magnetic nanoparticles like iron oxide will generate heat. three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous The amount of heat generated seems to be related to specific material properties, but thus far carbons with well-defined geometry, three-di- there is no consensus regarding what parameters are the most important. All we know now is that mensionally interconnected pore structure, particle anisotropy (shape, size, orientation of magnetic axis, etc.) plays a role. I am synthesizing and tunable pore size in the range from 8 to monodisperse iron oxide nanoparticles of varying diameters with the same crystalline structure 40 nm, suitable for supercapacitors with high and coating, then working with a collaborator to determine their heating effectiveness. We hope power and energy densities. Vu, A.; Li, X.; Phil- to experimentally supplement a theory that claims there will be a large increase in heating ability lips, J.; Han, A., Smyrl, W. H.; Buhlmann, P.; Stein, at a certain diameter. A. “Three-Dimensionally Ordered Mesoporous (3DOm) Carbon Materials as Electrodes for Maria Miranda Electrical Double-Layer Capacitors with Ionic My research interests are focused on Liquid Electrolytes”, Chem. Mater. 2013, in developing renewable materials using press. dx.doi.org/10.1021/cm300915p catalytic chemistry, and studying the mechanisms by which these catalysts Professor Christopher operate. I have two major projects Cramer under this umbrella; one aims to Professor Christopher Cramer and student understand the mechanism by which Mehmed Zahid Ertem (Ph.D. 2012) worked renewable cyclic ester monomers are with University of Wisconsin collaborator Figure 1. Reaction scheme for the synthesis of bio-derived polymerized into degradable polyesters Shannon Stahl and his student Alison Suess to alkene monomers. using metal alkoxide catalysts, and explain a remarkable change in mechanism, the other is focused on using catalytic depending on acidic or basic reaction condi- chemistry to synthesize high volume commodity monomers from renewable resources. For the tions, observed for green C-H bond oxidations second project, we utilized Pd precursors and phosphine ligands to decarbonylate (CO loss) accomplished by copper-mediated acti- plant-derived carboxylic acids to terminal alkene monomers like styrene, alkyl acrylates and acry- vation of molecular oxygen. Suess, A., Ertem, lonitrile. Synthesizing these alkene monomers from renewable resources is of key interest because M.Z., Cramer, C., Stahl, S., Divergence between traditionally these monomers are derived from petrochemicals. Our method has the advantage of Organometallic and Single-Electron-Transfer being catalytic, neat (no solvent), high-yielding (>80% yield), scalable (up to 50 g per batch) and Mechanisms in Copper(II)-Mediated Aerobic robust (air, moisture, functional group tolerant). C-H Oxidation, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 9797-9804. dx.doi.org/10.1021/ja4026424 continued on page 14

12 Chem news December 2013 Below is just a sampling of the research being conducted by our student, postdoctoral, and faculty researchers.

Professor Christy Haynes atoms are simultaneously transferred from a satu- Regents Professor rated alkane.” Alkane desaturation by concerted The interaction of TiO nanoparticles with a 2 double hydrogen atom transfer to benzyne, Niu, Lawrence Que Jr. bacterial cell model was characterized in an D.; Willoughby, P. H.; Baire, B.; Woods, B. P.; Hoye, In our project to design bio-inspired iron cata- effort to gauge the potential environmental T. R. Nature 2013, 501, 531-534. (doi:10.1038/na- lysts for olefin oxidation using environmentally impact of these materials. Minimal acute toxicity ture12492) hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant, we have for was observed, but cell functions relevant to the a long time been interested in determining the cooperative function of these bacteria in natural Professor Steven Kass key intermediate in these reactions. Toward this environments were altered. This work shows that Hydrogen bond networks in conjunction with end, we finally obtained convincing kinetic data acute toxicity assessment alone is insufficient to electron withdrawing groups were to lead to demonstrating that the rate determining step determine the impact of nanomaterial exposure strong acids, effective hydrogen bond catalysts, involves the water-assisted heterolytic cleavage on biological systems, and suggests the need and anion molecular receptors. Shokri, A.; Wang, of the O–O bond of an Fe(III)–OOH intermedi- for more sensitive measures of nanomaterial X. B.; Kass, S. R. “Electron-Withdrawing Trifluoro- ate. Oloo, W. N.; Fielding, A. J.; Que, L. Jr., J. Am. toxicology. Impact of TiO2 Nanoparticles on methyl Groups in Combination with Hydrogen Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 6438-6441 (http://dx.doi. Growth, Biofilm Formation, and Flavin Secretion in Bonds in Polyols: Brønsted Acids, Hydrogen-Bond org/10.1021/ja402759c) Shewanella oneidensis, Maurer-Jones, M.A., Gun- Catalysts, and Anion Receptors”, J. Am. Chem. In our high-valent diiron project, we demon- solus, I., Meyer, B., Christenson, C., and Haynes, C.L. Soc. 2013, 135, 9525-9530. strated that a high-potential diiron(IV) complex Analytical Chemistry, 85(12) 5810-5818 (2013). Oops! All chemists for the past 50 years have can oxidize water by a proton-coupled electron Professor Marc Hillmyer been taught that cyclopropenyl anion is antiaro- transfer mechanism. The water oxidation rate was found to be second order in water concen- Using a simultaneous block polymerization/in matic, but this turns out be wrong! 121. Kass, S. R. tration and exhibit a kinetic isotope effect of 2.4. situ cross-linking from a heterofunctional initiator “Cyclopropenyl Anion: An Energetically Nonaro- Unlike for other water oxidation results, the water approach, Myungeon Seo, Ph.D., and Christo- matic Ion”, J. Org. Chem. 2013, 78, 7370-7372. oxidation product in this reaction is the hydroxyl pher Murphy working with Professor Marc Hillmyer An invited review in a special issue on reactive radical, so only one-electron oxidation occurs. produced a nanostructured and cross-linked intermediates was written by Professor Kass on The factors that make this system different from block polymer in a single step from a ternary mix- carbanions in the gas phase. 122. Tian, Z.; Kass, the others will help in the design of efficient water ture of monomers and used it as a precursor for S. R. “Carbanions in the Gas Phase”, Chem. Rev. oxidation catalysts. Wang, D.; Que, L., Jr., Chem. a cross-linked nanoporous material. ACS Macro 2013, 113, 6986-7010. Commun. 2013, online (http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/ Letters 2013, v2, p617. Regents Professor C3CC46391E) Professor Thomas Hoye Timothy Lodge Professor Theresa Reineke A team of researchers in Professor Thomas Hoye’s Here we show how to prepare ion gels, which The Reineke Group has developed a new “sug- laboratories, composed of Dawen Niu, Pat are polymer networks swollen with ionic liquids, ar-coating” for nanomedicines [poly(trehalose)], Willoughby, Brian Woods and Beeru Baire, has that combine the advantages of “physical gels” which facilitates stable encapsulation of siRNA uncovered a new type of transformation. They and “chemical gels”. The former can be easily and promotes highly effective cellular delivery. reported in Nature (doi:10.1038/nature12492) processed, and recycled, but at a cost in terms of This is currently being researched as an alter- that reactive benzyne derivatives, formed by mechanical strength. The subsequent introduc- native to polyethylene glycol, the conventional the hexadehydro-Diels-Alder (HDDA) reaction tion of covalent crosslinks reinforces the material stealth coating. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2013, 135, (doi:10.1038/nature11518), will abstract two once it has been fabricated into a device, such 15417–15424. hydrogen atoms from a saturated alkane to pro- as an organic transistor or a gas separation duce the corresponding alkene (via oxidation) Researchers in the Reineke Group have also membrane. “High Toughness, High Conductiv- and benzenoid (via reduction) disproportion- recently discovered that nanomedicines consist- ity Ion Gels by Sequential Triblock Copolymer ation products. Mechanistic and computational ing of DNA encapsulated into nanoparticles by Self-Assembly and Chemical Crosslinking”, Y. Gu, studies all point to the involvement of a con- polymers are taken into mammalian cells and S. Zhang, L. Martinetti, K. H. Lee, L. D. McIntosh, certed dihydrogen transfer event via a planar actively trafficked within the cellular environment C. D. Frisbie, and T. P. Lodge, J. Am. Chem. Soc., transition structure geometry. The investigators in a similar manner to viruses. ACS Nano, 2013, 7, 135, 9652-9655, (2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ comment, “We are not aware of any single-step, 347–364. ja4051394 bimolecular reaction in which two hydrogen

13 Chem news December 2013 Student support

Research continued from page 12 Fellowships Paul “Alex” Rudd Robert and Jill DeMaster Fellowship— Gary Bondarevsky and Emily Keller

Wayland E. Noland Outstanding Graduate Teaching Fellowship—Sarah Wegwerth

Graham N. Gleysteen Fellowship in Chemistry— Laura Clouston and Haoyu Yu

Lester C. and Joan M. Krogh Endowed Fellowship— Rebecca “Becca” Mackenzie

Graham N. Gleysteen Fellowship in Chemistry— Seyedeh Moloud “Maral” Mousavi and Haoyu Yu

John Wertz Fellowship in Chemistry— Jennifer “Jen” Strehlau

My research interests have centered on the modular synthesis of metal-metal bonds, Phillips 66 Fellowship—Pragya Verma including electronic structure and reactivity. In addition to my current research projects, I’m also quite interested in chemistry of f-block elements, especially uranium. William Wayland E. Noland Fellowship—Tao Wang “Bill” Evans gave a seminar here a few years ago regarding how to blaze a new trail in and Evan Weitz science, and new f-block chemistry of the last few years has vindicated his belief that new, American Heart Association Fellowship— unexpected, and useful chemistry would come out of these elements. If I could start a new project tomorrow, it would involve the coordination of chemistry and reactivity of Kailey Soller uranium complexes! 2013-14 Interdisciplinary Doctoral My research projects all involve the systematic synthesis and study of metal-metal bonds: Fellowship—Amanda Stemig our fundamental goal is to be able to predict the properties of a metal-metal bond before we make it. With that knowledge in hand, we hope to be able to predict what types of chemi- Torske Klubben Fellowship—Ian Gunsolus cal reactions different metal-metal bonds can facilitate, ultimately offering a rational tool to help guide the study of reactive transition metal complexes. In this vein, one of my current Robert C. Brasted Memorial Fellowship— projects involves the reduction of dinitrogen at an iron center. Biological nitrogen fixation Moriana Haj occurs at a multi-iron site at room temperature, but homogenous chemistry has been largely unable to replicate this impressive feat, which requires a six-electron reduction of dinitrogen Heisig/Gleysteen Chemistry Summer Research to generate two ammonia molecules. We have previously demonstrated the partial reduc- Program fellowships—Daniel Bakke, Vincent tion of dinitrogen with an iron-aluminum complex, which is capable of breaking the strong Brinker, RiAnna Butler, Meijie Cheng, Michael double and triple bonds of the typically inert dinitrogen triple bond with only a single iron Cibuzar, Maya Cutkosky, Jacob Edwards, Mori- center. Current research efforts are focused on the final two-electron step, which we believe ana Haj, Matt Hauwiller, Lindsay Hegner, Shyam is accessible, that is required to cleave the remaining single bond in this complex. Comple- Rajan Iyer, Michelle Johnson, Jacob Kautzky, mentary efforts are underway to synthesize iron complexes with other group thirteen ele- Lingxun Kong, Quang Luu Nguyen, Maximilian ments (i.e., B, Ga, In) to quantitatively determine the influence of the second metal center. Margherio, Adam Matula, Drew Maurine, Kelsey McCoy, Kara Meyers, Matthew Miller, Frances continued on page 20 Morris, Michael Neaton, William Ogden, Kyle Pribyl , Srijay Rajan, Advaith Rau, Alexander Reath, Kyle Senger, Hannah Skopec, Dylan Walsh, and Haini Zhang

14 Chem news December 2013 Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships—Makenzie Provorse, Gregory Rohde, Paul “Alex” Rudd, Stephen Rudisill, Stephen Tereniak, Kelly Volp, Yen-Chih Wang, and Xu Zou

2013 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program honors—Joseph Buchman, Laura Clouston, Heidi Nelson, Ivan Spector, and Bridget Ulrich

2013-14 Louis T. Dosdall Fellowships— Maria Miranda and Katie Peterson

Scholarships David A. and Merece H. Johnson Scholarship—Jacob Edwards, Matt Hauwiller, and Dylan Walsh

The Heisig/Gleysteen Chemistry Summer Research Program participants were front row, from left: Hannah George T. Walker Scholarship—Shyam Rajan Skopec, Jacob Kautzky, Kara Meyers, Vincent Brinker, Moriana Haj, Maya Cutkosky, Michelle Johnson, Mat- Iyer, Lingxun Kong, Adam Matula, and Kyle thew Miller, Drew Maurine, Adam Matula, Kelsey McCoy, Lindsay Hegner, and Meijie Cheng. Back row, from Senger left: Michael Neaton, Advaith Rau, Jacob Edwards, Dylan Walsh, Matt Hauwiller, Lingxun Kong, Maximilian Margherio, Quang Luu Nguyen, Kyle Senger, and William Ogden. Not pictured: Daniel Bakke, RiAnna Butler, Lloyd W. Goerke Scholarship— Michael Cibuzar, Shyam Rajan Iyer, Frances Morris, Kyle Pribyl, Sryjay Rajan, Alexander Reath, and Haini Zhang. Quang Luu Nguyen

Auzns Scholarship—Kara Meyers and Matthew Styles Individual Awards Andrews Scholarship—Erin Hill, Megan Robert C. Brasted Outstanding Under- J. Lewis Maynard Memorial Prize in Magee, and Maximillian Margherio graduate Teaching Assistant Award— Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Award— M. Cannon Sneed Scholarship— Nathan “Nate” Bodette Jacob Edwards and Yue Wu Katherine Ziebarth Robert L. Ferm Outstanding Graduate 2012 Overend Award for Graduate Thomas DuBruil Memorial Award— Teaching Assistant Award—Laura Fox Research in Physical Chemistry— Daniel Bakke and Vignesh Palani Alireza Shokri and Bess Vlaisavljevich 4.0 Grade Point Averages—Tiannan Betty A. Lewis Scholarship—Tenley Brown, Chen, Suyue Chen, and Shaohong Li 2013 Overend Award for Graduate Re- Kelsey McCoy, and Megan Magee search in Physical Chemistry—Peng Bai Beaker and Bunsen Third Year Graduate and Daniel O’Brien Sally Herz Memorial Scholarship— Student Research Symposium honors— Matthew Hunt Katherine “Katie” Hurley, Mayank Puri, Procter & Gamble Best Poster Award Amanda Stemig, and Ellis Warner (arranged by Ravi Ranatunga)— Jane B. Spence Scholarship—Sammy Shaker Philippe Buhlmann research group Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry sponsored by the Division of Department of Chemistry Award Analytical Chemistry of the American for Doctoral Thesis Excellence— Chemical Society—Francis Morris Mehmed Zahid Ertem, Ph.D.

We are grateful to the generosity of these donors who are supporting talented and deserving chemistry students through scholarships, fellowships, and awards.

15 Chem news December 2013 Faculty & Staff news Two chemistry professors promoted Two Department of Chemistry professors were promoted in 2013. Philippe Buhlmann was promoted to full professor, and Aaron Massari was promoted to associate professor with tenure.

Philippe Buhlmann Philippe Buhlmann joined the Department molecular recognition and, in particular, the of Chemistry faculty at the University of use of synthetic receptors for chemical sensing Minnesota as an assistant professor in Sep- in complex real-life environments. One goal tember 2000. He received tenure in 2006 and of his research is the development of chem- was promoted to associate professor. He was ical sensors that put receptors to their most promoted to full professor in May 2013. He effective use, permitting the selectivities and currently is the Director of Graduate Studies detection limits required for real applications, for the Department of Chemistry. and providing maximum input for the rational development of new receptors. A second Buhlmann completed his undergraduate goal is the development of new strategies that and graduate studies in Professor Wilhelm permit the use of robust chemical sensors that Simon’s group at the Swiss Federal Institute of excel not only in the laboratory but withstand Technology Zurich in Switzerland. He earned the harsh conditions of long term monitoring, his doctorate in 1993. Subsequently, he did e.g., in the environment, in industrial process postdoctoral studies at the University of Tokyo control, or upon implantation into the human with Professor Yoshio Umezawa, as a post- body. In pursuit of these goals, the Buhlmann doctoral fellow of the Japanese Society for the group has been pushing the limits of fluorous Philippe Buhlmann Promotion of Science. From 1994 to 2000, chemistry, explored new applications of car- Buhlmann was an assistant professor in the bon nanomaterials, developed plasticized per- In addition to his teaching and research re- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, fluoropolymer membranes, and demonstrated sponsibilities, Buhlmann also coordinates the at the University of Tokyo. Since 1993, he has the application of novel receptors that provide Chemists-in-the-Library outreach program for published more than 100 scientific articles. for unprecedented selectivities, detection the Minnesota Local Section of the American The common theme of the research activities limits, and long term signal stability. Chemical Society. in the Buhlmann group is the application of

Aaron Massari Aaron Massari joined the Department of energy conversion of self-assembled thin films. Chemistry faculty at the University of Min- He continued his education by joining Profes- nesota as a non-tenured assistant professor in sor Michael Fayer’s research group at Stanford the fall of 2006. He was promoted to associate University, where, as a National Institute of professor with tenure, effective July 1, 2013. Health postdoctoral fellow, he learned the ins Starting this fall, he is the Director of Gradu- and outs of two-dimensional spectroscopy. ate Studies for the Chemical Physics Program. Massari’s research concentration is in ultrafast Massari attended Arizona State University, infrared spectroscopy with an emphasis on where he majored in chemistry and worked organic electronic materials. for several years as an undergraduate research- Massari is engaged in the number of outreach er in Professor Devens Gust’s research group. activities, including University on the Prairie, After graduation, he moved to Northwestern and Energy and U. University, where he worked under the direction of Professor Joseph Hupp on projects focusing on the electrochemistry and solar

Aaron Massari

16 Chem news December 2013 in Memorium

Professor Rufus Lumry Rufus Worth Lumry II, 92, Minneapolis, MN, In the 1960s and 1970s, he spent time in lead- died March 23, 2013, after a four month illness. ing laboratories in the field of protein chemistry Rufus was born November 3, 1920 in Bismarck, in Denmark, Italy, Germany, and Japan. Lumry ND, to Rufus Worth Lumry and Mabel Will Lum- was also involved in organizing major scientific ry. He received his Bachelor of Science degree conferences, including a Gordon Conference. Rufus Worth Lumry II in chemistry from Harvard College in 1942. He was an influential participant and organizer During World War II, he was associated with of the Red Cell and Hemoglobin Program 15 years. Rufus was renowned for his humor, the National Defense Research Committee. Project Grant awarded to the University of intelligence, and passion for science—truly Following the war, he returned to Harvard and, Minnesota in the 1970s and 1980s. He was one of a kind. working with George Kistiakowsky, received recipient of numerous grants from National Rufus is survived by his children, Rufus Worth his doctorate in chemical physics in 1948, it Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Lumry III (Patricia), Bellevue, WA, Ann Lum- was at this time that his interest in enzymes Health and the U.S. Navy. ry (Bo Hedlund), St. Paul, MN and Stephen developed. In 1948, he moved to the University A remarkable aspect of his career is that it Lumry (Shirley), Bellevue, WA, his grandchildren of Utah, joining Henry Eyring and Emil Smith extended well beyond his retirement in 1990. Amanda Wengerd (Loren), Kirkland, WA, Rufus among others. He moved to the University of Thus, his 1995 chapter about new paradigms Lumry IV (Amy) Atlanta, GA, Christopher Lumry, Minnesota as assistant professor of chemistry in of protein research and his 2003 paper on Cambridge, MA, Erik Hedlund (Julianne), Min- l954, and quickly rose in rank becoming a full protein substructures were significant contribu- neapolis, MN, and Emilie Hedlund, Minneapolis, professor in l956. Rufus taught at the University tions to the field. MN and his six great-grandchildren. of Minnesota until his retirement in 1990. He Rufus presided, until late 2012, over the He was preceded in death by his parents, his was the author of more than 130 publications Lumry Lunch Group of former students and former wife Gayle Kelly Comfort, and his life in the field of protein biophysical chemistry. colleagues who met monthly for more than partner Bernice (Maria) Meyer.

in Memorium Professor Paul O’Connor Paul O’Connor, 92, died He signed the Szilárd petition in 1945, urging 26 years for medical reasons and took up his at Abbott Northwestern President Harry Truman not to use the atomic second career as a weaver. He applied his Hospital after a brief illness. bomb against people without first offering an mathematical mind to complex double weave He was born in Milwaukee, observed demonstration. and continued to experiment, teach and WI, on February 3, 1921, to In 1947, he became a professor at the Universi- publish for the next 40 years until the time of his Arthur and Helen (Radell) ty of Minnesota. The focus of his work changed death, which occurred shortly after putting a O’Connor. He attended after Russia put the Sputnik into orbit prompting new warp on his loom. Haverford College where he a national effort to upgrade science and math He is survived by his children Mike (Marcie majored in chemistry and education in the United States. He helped to Archer) O’Connor, Maggie (Linda Ridlehuber) mathematics (with, he liked develop and promote CHEM study, a new O’Connor and his grandchildren Elliot, Dan, Paul O’Connor to add, a minor in Bridge). curriculum for high school chemistry. Because Robert and Richard O’Connor. He was preced- During graduate school, of this work, he was invited to introduce the ed in death by his wife Pat O’Connor, parents he participated in a program in the Manhat- curriculum in India, and he spent about 5 years Arthur (Helen Radell) O’Connor, brothers John, tan Project isolating isotopes of plutonium. there between 1964 and 1973. He retired after Bob, Gary and Neal, and sister Jean Kelley.

17 Chem news December 2013 Faculty & Staff news Four new professors join the department The Department of Chemistry has hired four new professors, including three assistant professors— Renee Frontiera, James Johns and Ian Tonks—and one associate professor—Erin Carlson. Renee Frontiera James Johns Renee Frontiera, Ph.D., joined the Department of Chemistry as an James Johns, Ph.D., joined the Department of Chemistry as an assistant professor. Since 2010, Frontiera was a postdoctoral researcher assistant professor. Since 2011, Johns was a postdoctoral researcher at at Northwestern University, working with Professor Richard P. Van Northwestern University, working with Professor Mark Hersam. He Duyne. She earned her doctorate in chemistry from the University of earned his doctorate in California, Berkeley, under the tutelage of Professor Richard Mathies. physical chemistry from the She received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry and Chinese at Carleton University of California, College in Northfield, MN. Berkeley, under the tutelage of Professor Charles Harris. As a graduate student with Mathies, He received his bachelor’s Frontiera examined chemical degree in chemistry and structural changes on the femtosec- physical chemistry from the ond timescale in systems includ- University of Virginia. ing dye-sensitized solar cells and proteins such as green fluorescent As a graduate student with protein and phytochrome, using an Harris, Johns probed the ultrafast spectroscopic technique ultrafast dynamics and known as Femtosecond Stimulated charge trapping of ultrathin Raman Spectroscopy. As a post- organic semiconductors used doctoral scholar with Van Duyne, in photovoltaics in response she developed methods to couple to photo-excited charges at surface enhancement and ultrafast metals surfaces using two spectroscopy, in order to follow Assistant Professor James Johns photon photoemission. chemical reactions near plasmonic Since joining the Hersam surfaces as well as to follow single group, Johns has used scan- molecule dynamics on the femto- ning tunneling microscopy and optical spectroscopy to characterize and second timescale. develop new ways of chemically functionalizing 2D materials such as graphene and molybdenum disulfide. At the University of Minnesota, Assistant Professor Renee Frontiera Frontiera is interested in determin- At the University of Minnesota, Johns will focus on the structure and ing the effect of local environments optical properties of surfaces, interfaces, and 2D materials. His research on chemical reaction dynamics, will develop new experimental techniques that will facilitate a better from cellular membranes to proteins to plasmonic materials. Her understanding and subsequent control over charge and exciton transfer research involves the development of new imaging and spectroscopic at surfaces and interfaces related to energy, photovoltaics, and photoca- techniques to examine reaction dynamics on the nanometer length talysis at unprecedented length and time scales. He will also be studying scale with femtosecond time resolution. In particular, she is interested the chemistry and physics of new 2D materials for electronics, and in label-free super-resolution imaging, the role of vibrations in driving developing experiments, which exploit their 2D nature to elucidate the electron transfer reactions, and the use of plasmons to drive chemical electronic structure of interfaces commonly used in electronic devices. reactions.

18 Chem news December 2013 Ian Tonks Erin Carlson Erin E. Carlson will join the Department of Chemistry as an associate professor with tenure on July 1, 2014. She is coming to the University of Minnesota from Indiana University, where she has been an assistant professor since 2008. Carlson received her bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College in 2000. She went on to graduate studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Predoctoral Biotechnology Training Program at the Uni- versity of Wisconsin-Madison. She earned a doctorate in organic chemistry in 2005 under the direction of Professor Laura L. Kiessling. Her graduate career focused on the design Assistant Professor Ian A. Tonks and synthesis of mechanistic probes and Erin E. Carlson inhibitors for carbohydrate-binding proteins, concentrating on the study of UDP-galactopy- Ian A. Tonks, Ph.D., joined the Department of Chemistry as an assistant ranose mutase (UGM), an enzyme involved in cell wall biosynthesis of professor. Since 2012, Tonks was a postdoctoral scholar at the Uni- Mycobacterium tuberculosis. versity of Wisconsin-Madison, working with Professor Clark Landis. In 2011, he earned his doctorate in organometallic chemistry at the Carlson was awarded an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fel- California Institute of Technology under the tutelage of Professor John lowship for studies at The Scripps Research Institute with Professor Bercaw. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia Benjamin F. Cravatt. Carlson and Cravatt developed a global metabolite University while working with Professor Gerard (Ged) Parkin. profiling strategy that utilizes chemoselective probes to enable enrichment and profiling of metabolites from complex biological systems. As a graduate student with Bercaw, Tonks studied the structure-elec- This technology, referred to as Metabolite Enrichment by Tagging and tronics relationship of “post-metallocene” alpha olefin polymerization Proteolytic Release (METPR), facilitates the rigorous characterization catalysts and explored the photophysics of early transition metal hydra- of biochemical pathways through their most sensitive reporter, en- zide complexes. More recently as a postdoctoral scholar with Landis, dogenous small molecules. In 2007, she received an NIH Pathway to Tonks has developed safer alternative methodologies for the synthesis Independence Award. She joined the faculty at Indiana University in of primary phosphines, investigated the kinetics and mechanism of the summer of 2008. asymmetric olefin hydroformylation under extremely low pressures and developed new ligands for asymmetric hydroformylation. Carlson’s research program centers on the development and application of advanced chemical biology and systems biology technologies to both At the University of Minnesota, Tonks is interested in designing inor- define the mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and identify potential ganic and organometallic catalysts to carry out new and efficient trans- therapeutic agents. She is pursuing the development of technologies for formations. His research utilizes inorganic, organometallic and organic natural product discovery including innovative methods for compound synthesis to generate novel catalysts that are studied in depth through isolation, screening, and diversification. Carlson also is utilizing state-of- kinetic, mechanistic and computational techniques. A large focus of his the-art metabolomic and proteomic methods to map the biochemical research is not only on synthesis, but also on reaction discovery. In par- pathways associated with bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance. ticular, he is interested in developing catalysts for the copolymerization of carbon dioxide with olefins to generate new biodegradable polymers, Since the start of her independent career, Carlson has won numerous practical and green routes to heterocycles that could be utilized in novel awards including being named a Pew Biomedical Scholar, the NIH Di- drug design, and electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction. rector’s New Innovator Award, the Indiana University Outstanding Ju- nior Faculty Award, the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, and the Cottrell Scholar Award. She also was named a Sloan Research Fellow and an Indiana University Dean’s Fellow. She has been highlighted in several videos, including one produced by NBC in their Science Behind The News series supported by the NSF, and a “Brilliant Minds” video produced by Indiana University. Carlson was also named one of “Tomorrow’s PIs” in the sixth annual issue of Genome Technology.

19 Chem news December 2013 Research continued from page 14 Stephen Rudisill Video features the department’s research

The research I’m interested in uses clever, simple chemistry to add controlled shapes to the nanoscience toolbox. From a technical perspective, I’m interested in the self-assembly of complex, nano-to-micrometer sized shaped materials through templating, modifying colloidal electrostatics, and directing crystal growth, among other methods. I’m also invested in finding uses for these shaped materials, particularly in the alternative energy and catalysis fields. My main research project now is on self-assembly of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) microspheres and bicontinuous networks from metal-polyester precursors. 3DOM materials are a staple of Professor Andreas Stein’s research, these are produced by forming an ordered array or “colloidal crystal” of 300-500 nm poly(methyl methacrylate) spheres, filling the spaces between the spheres with a precursor, and then burning the spheres and crystal- izing the precursor at high temperature. Department Chair William Tolman working with Chuck Olsen Formation of spheres with the 3DOM structure can be a bit tricky. The technique relies on the phase separation that occurs between a This fall, the department worked growing polymer in solution and the solvent (in this case, water), as with Chuck Olsen from Minneapo- a result of the growing polarity difference between the two phases. lis-based Vidtiger on the creation of The extent of that polarity difference changes the amount of a video focused on research. The interfacial area between the polymer and the water, which results in video features faculty and graduate- different shapes—either microspheres, or a bicontinuous network. student researchers, highlighting the The polarity difference is almost solely dependent on the molecu- department’s collaborative and inter- lar weight of the polymer; the higher molecular weight, the more disciplinary research opportunities. non-polar the polymer phase will be. So, by controlling the extent When completed, the video will be of polymerization, we can change the morphology of the material, posted on the department’s website, as well as the size of the features. We primarily control this polym- and will be used to highlight the re- erization by changing the reagent imbalance between the ethylene search excellence of the department glycol and citric acid, which make up the polymer. to draw the interest of graduate In the March 12 cover article of Chemistry of Materials, we demon- students, alumni, and friends. strated the effectiveness of this technique for a common catalytic oxide, CeO2. Before this discovery, polymerization-induced phase separation could be performed with a limited set of materials (silica, zirconia, titania), and required specialty precursors known as alkoxides. The technique here utilizes cheap, widely available reagents and, in theory, can be used with any element on the periodic table which forms a nitrate salt. Future goals in this project are to demonstrate exactly that, and provide a roadmap for generalizing the technique. In the process, we have whole new batch of technical issues to overcome, given the substantial differences between size, charge, and reactivity of the ions we’re investigating.

20 Chem news December 2013 Faculty & Staff honors & awards

Peter Carr ing service to the University of Minnesota and voluntary public service. Professor Peter Carr was honored with the 2013 American Chemical Society of Analyt- Cramer’s service has included key leadership Edgar Arriaga ical Chemistry J. Calvin Giddings Award for roles with the Department of Chemistry, Professor Edgar Arriaga received a Excellence in Education at the ACS National College of Science & Engineering, and Uni- university grant to purchase a mass Meeting. This award honors Carr for his versity of Minnesota as well as national and cytometer to be housed in the De- contributions to analytical chemistry and international science organizations. partment of Chemistry’s Mass Spec- for enhancing the personal and professional For the Department of Chemistry, Cramer trometry Laboratory. Arriaga’s grant development of students who are studying served three years each as Director of was awarded through the Research analytical chemistry. Throughout his years Graduate Studies and Director of Under- Infrastructure Program by the Univer- as a faculty member at University of Georgia graduate Studies. During that time, he de- sity of Minnesota’s Office of the Vice and, since 1977, at University of Minnesota, veloped and implemented a comprehensive President for Research. Carr has made many contributions benefit- strategy for graduate student recruitment, Mass cytometry is becoming widely ting students in the classroom and in the lab- which has increased faculty participation used in biotechnology and biomedical oratory, including writing influential books and positive responses from prospective research at leading institutions across and articles for analytical courses, training students. He chaired the department’s the nation. Mass cytometry provides and mentorship, and laboratory equipment Faculty Search Committee for two years the ability to analyze complex sets design and use. at a time of expansion for the department, of proteins or genes in mixtures of Carr also received the 2013 LCGC Lifetime resulting in the hiring of two new faculty cells or in cells as they change status Achievement Award for his contributions members. He also is a long-time member during maturation, differentiation to the field of liquid chromatography and and supporter of the Minnesota Supercom- or degradation. Because it can be surface chemistry. LCGC stands for liquid puting Institute. done at extremely high speeds (1000 chromatography, gas chromatography. At the college level, Cramer served on two of cells/second), it provides a tool to Carr’s contributions to the field of chroma- the college’s most important committees— monitor specific protein dynamics tography are many. His research interests, Promotion and Tenure, and Blue Ribbon and cell populations in many tissues. scientific contributions to, and promotion of Strategic Planning. Since July 2013, he has Currently there are 12 installed mass separation science have resulted in many new been serving as the College of Science & cytometers in the United States, and pivotal approaches to liquid chromatogra- Engineering’s associate dean for Academic other institutions are in the process of phy. In addition to his work on the funda- Affairs. acquiring similar capabilities. mental theory of high-performance liquid At the university level, Cramer served on the Arriaga’s co-investigator is Dr. Dan chromatography, his research has focused on Senate Research Committee, Senate Subcom- Kaufman from Hematology, Oncolo- understanding the nature of solute-solvent mittee on Research Openness, and a number gy and Transplantation in the Depart- interactions as they pertain to the prediction of task forces and working groups addressing ment of Medicine. Matching funds of retention, selectivity and optimization in important university-wide issues. In 2009, for the mass cytometer is provided the chromatography; the theory of nonlinear he was elected to the Faculty Consultative College of Science & Engineering, chromatography; the development of stable Committee (FCC), which is the executive the Department of Chemistry, and chromatographic column media such as body for the Faculty Senate, and served as its the Medical School. zirconia and hyper-crosslinked silica phases to vice chair and chair. The Research Infrastructure Invest- replace the standard silica packing materials; ment Program awards are a one-time and two-dimensional liquid chromatograph- Cramer has committed a number of years of investment in university research ic separations of biomolecules as a novel service to the science community, currently infrastructure designed to facilitate approach that achieves chemical separation of serving as editor-in-chief of Theoretical Chem- strong partnerships and interdisci- complex mixtures in a fraction of the time of istry Accounts, as North American associate plinary alliances at the University of conventional liquid chromatography. editor for the Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry, and on the advisory boards of Minnesota, especially between the Christopher Cramer other publications. His national and in- health sciences and other disciplines. ternational service has included leadership Professor Christopher Cramer was awarded positions on executive boards of scientific the 2013 George W. Taylor Award of Distin- societies, organizing symposiums, and serving guished Service by the College of Science and as a panelist or workshop presenter. Engineering. This award recognizes outstand- continued on page 24

21 Chem news December 2013 Faculty & Staff honors & awards Timothy Lodge named Regents Professor

“Tim is well-deserving of this high honor, His contributions have also been recognized which recognizes his extraordinary contribu- by external awards and invited lectureships, tions to science, education, and service to the including the Minnesota Award-American larger community. His record of accomplish- Chemical Society Minnesota Section (2012), ment is simply amazing,” said William B. Tol- Turner Alfrey Visiting Professorship (2011), man, chair of the Department of Chemistry. and International Scientist Award from the Society of Polymer Science Japan (2009). Lodge earned his bachelor’s degree in applied Lodge was recognized as a Fellow of the mathematics from Harvard College, and his American Chemical Society (2010) and the doctorate in chemistry from the University Association for the Advancement of Science of Wisconsin-Madison. He was a Nation- (2009). He has been awarded two of the al Research Council post-doctoral research most prestigious international awards in the associate at the National Bureau of Standards, demanding fields of both polymer physics and joined the Department of Chemistry at the and polymer chemistry—the American University of Minnesota in 1982. He also joined The University of Minnesota Physical Society Polymer Physics Prize the Department of Chemical Engineering and (2004) and the American Chemical Society Board of Regents has Materials Science (CEMS) in 1995, and became Award in Polymer Chemistry (2009). Few director of the Materials Research Science and named Timothy P. Lodge scientists in the world have claimed both of Engineering Center (MRSEC) in 2005. a Regents Professor. This these prizes. He has received many accolades for his research Lodge is one of the most productive, innova- designation is the highest and teaching, including some of the top hon- tive, and influential polymer scientists in the ors at the University of Minnesota such as the level of recognition given to world, focusing his research on the structure Postbaccalaureate, Graduate, and Professional and dynamics of polymeric systems. He has university faculty members. Education Award (2012), CSE Distinguished published more than 300 papers on his innova- Lodge is a professor in the Professorship (2004), and Distinguished McK- tive and groundbreaking research. College of Science & night University Professorship (2001). Engineering’s Department of Chemistry and the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. He is a renowned polymer scientist, whose scholarly reputation is far-reaching and international. He has served the University of Minnesota with distinction for three decades with an outstanding record of research, teaching, and service.

Frank Bates, head of the Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, William Tolman, chair of the Department of Chemistry, and Eric Kaler, President of the University of Minnesota, congratulate Timothy Lodge for being named a Regents Professor.

22 Chem news December 2013 Lodge’s reputation is based both on careful and meticulous experiments to elucidate the uni- versal physical laws that govern the behavior of polymers, and on the development of concep- tual and theoretical models to understand these laws. His work is unusually broad in scope, and it encompasses the behavior of polymers in solution (for example as drug delivery vehicles) and in the bulk state (for example as mechan- ically robust composites). To this end, Lodge has developed a laboratory at the University of Minnesota containing a powerful and innovative array of experimental tools, which is truly second to none in scope and which has allowed him to be one of the most productive and influential polymer scientists in the world. For example, a major and growing research focus of Lodge’s research has been block copolymer systems: polymers with two (or more) sub- chains that spontaneously self-assemble into fascinating nanostructures. In a program extending The Lodge family celebrates at a reception at President Kaler’s house for the university’s Regents Professors. over the last 20 years, Lodge and his students Pictured are, from left, Sam, Susanna, Tim, and Hannah Lodge. Photo by Patrick O’Leary. have delineated the fascinating mechanisms by which individual polymer molecules diffuse He is co-author of Polymer Chemistry, Second and has served as a model for how I aspire to around and within these nanostructures. In Edition, written with Paul Hiemenz, which run my own research group.” another area, Lodge has developed a systematic is the leading polymer chemistry textbook, Colleague Professor Marc Hillmyer writes, route to “structured micelles,” which are block and which is the only textbook that covers “Simply put, his contributions to teaching copolymer nanostructures in which micellar the synthesis, characterization and properties and advising have been at the highest level in cores are subdivided as in, for example, a dou- of polymers, and derives all of the important all regards: brilliant scientist, caring adviser, ble-yolked egg. The 2004 Science paper that first equations in mathematically tractable and outstanding educator.” reported this discovery has been cited now more physically transparent ways. than 450 times. This is a fascinating demonstra- Lodge’s service to science does not end in Lodge has advised and trained more than tion of hierarchical self-assembly well known the classroom or laboratory. He has served 100 students and post-doctoral associates in biological systems, but built entirely through in many leadership roles for the Department who are heavily recruited by industry or who polymer architecture control in synthetic cases. of Chemistry and the College of Science & have attained faculty positions at prestigious The design flexibility offered by this approach Engineering, including serving as director of institutions. has resulted in many exciting developments that MRSEC and leading one of its interdisciplinary are documented in the many publications since Daniel Savin, an assistant professor at the research groups focused on polymer research, that original report that highlight the versatility School of Polymers and High Performance and coordinating the microstructures polymers and potential applications that include drug Materials at the University of Southern Missis- group for the universities Industrial Partner- delivery, solution viscosity modification, and sippi, was a post doctorate in Lodge’s laborato- ship for Research in Interfacial and Materials nanostructure templating. ry. He writes, “He instilled the confidence in Engineering (IPRIME). As editor-in-chief of me to pursue projects that are important, yet, Macromolecules, he oversees the processing A sought-after teacher and adviser, Lodge is an unexplored, and he constantly challenges me of 3,000 manuscripts annually, and coordi- outstanding classroom teacher, and created the in ways that make me think critically about nates the efforts of 13 associate editors. He popular Polymer Physical Chemistry course. my independent research program and the way also launched a new journal, ACS (American “Great class, great instructor, not the easiest I am going. . . . My experience in the Lodge Chemical Society) Macro Letters. He has chaired class I’ve taken, but one of the most interesting group has shaped my educational philosophy and organized many meetings and national and useful,” wrote one student. continued on page 25

23 Chem news December 2013 Honors & awards continued from page 21

Cramer also is one of the University’s top Connie Lu Between First-Row Transition Metals. The Fac- professors and researchers. He is a Distin- ulty Early Career Development (CAREER) Professor Connie Lu was awarded a prestigious guished McKnight University Professor, a Program is one of the NSF’s most presti- Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship for 2013. University Teaching Professor, and the Elmore gious awards. It supports junior faculty who Lu was among 126 winners of this highly H. Northey Professor of Chemistry. Recently, exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through competitive award intended to enhance the he became the director of the Center for the outstanding research, excellent education, careers of exceptional young faculty, including Study of Charge Transfer and Charge Trans- and the integration of education and research two other honorees from the University of port in Photoactivated Systems. within the context of the mission of their Minnesota. organizations. The George W. Taylor Award was established Sloan Fellowship winners are faculty members in 1982. In addition to Cramer, other chem- Lu’s research interests are to develop inexpen- at 59 colleges and universities in the United istry professors who have received this award sive bimetallic catalysts for small-molecule States and Canada who are conducting pio- include Paul Barbara, Paul Gassman, Louis activation, specifically the reduction of carbon neering research in physics, chemistry, compu- Pignolet, and Donald Truhlar. dioxide. Two complementary classes of first- tational and evolutionary molecular biology, row bimetallics will be targeted: the early-late computer science, economics, mathematics, transition metal pair (the simplest represen- Marc Hillmyer and neuroscience. Each winner receives a tative of a late metal particle adsorbed on an Professor Marc Hillmyer was awarded the grant of $50,000 for a two-year period. 2013 Medema Award from Polymer Tech- oxide support, which is typical of heteroge- Sloan Research Fellows are free to pursue nology Netherlands (PTN). This award is neous catalysts); and the mid-to-late transition whatever lines of inquiry are of most interest given to a prolific polymer scientist who also metal pair, which is similar to the multime- to them, and they are permitted to employ interacts and/or has close ties with the Dutch tallic sites found in metalloenzymes. By using fellowship funds in a variety of ways to further polymer community. Hillmyer gave his award a novel ligand platform, diverse metal pairs their research aims. address, Nanoporous Materials from Block will be constructed in a modular fashion and Polymers, at Dutch Polymer Days in Lunteren, Lu also received a CAREER award from compared systematically. The Netherlands, and was presented with the the National Science Foundation (NSF) for The five-year CAREER award support will award there. her research project, Configuring New Bonds allow Lu to better integrate research with her

Christy Haynes Professor Christy Haynes was chosen by There is currently a large effort worldwide allow for further functionalization (drug the University of Minnesota’s Postdoctoral to clinically translate alternating magnetic loading and systemic targeting) and use in Association to receive the Outstanding field (AMF) induced iron oxide nanopar- cryopreservation technology in the future. Mentor of Postdoctoral Scholars award. The ticle (IONP) heating for cancer treatment. The research team will work to optimize award recognizes extraordinary performance Modified IONPs are also used for magnetic these nanoparticles to create a platform and achievement in mentoring postdoctoral resonance imaging (MRI), facilitate drug poised for clinical and commercial transla- fellows, postdoctoral associates, and research delivery and improve the speed and unifor- tion. associates at the University of Minnesota mity of thawing from a cryopreserved state. who are within five years of obtaining their Modeled after the National Academies Keck For IONP thermal therapies to be success- doctorate degrees. Futures Initiative, the Minnesota Futures fully translated into a clinical environment, program supports extraordinary research by Haynes also received a 2013 Minneso- enhancements over the existing methods in nurturing interdisciplinary ideas. The goal is ta Futures grant to conduct research on image guidance, heating and therapeutic to develop new ideas to a point where they maximizing magnetic relaxation and heating ratio are critically needed. The goal of this are competitive for external funding. The in nanoparticle therapeutics. This year’s collaboration is to produce an IONP with award covers expenses of up to $250,000 winning projects focus on new cancer treat- superior heating and imaging properties over two years and is supported by technol- ments. She will be working John Bischof and that will provide a level of clinical planning ogy commercialization revenue. Chris Hogan from Mechanical Engineering, for both heating and drug delivery that is and Michael Garwood from Radiology. not currently possible. The project will also

24 Chem news December 2013 Lodge continued from page 23 teaching and outreach in new ways. For exam- Donald Truhlar conferences, and has served as a leader on ple, a student-created and community-edited the executive committee for the American Regents Professor Donald Truhlar’s 1,000th online resource will provide public access Physical Society Polymer Division. journal article was published in May. The to the results and relevant literature of this article, Adsorption on Fe-MOF-74 for C1–C3 C. Daniel Frisbie, a Distinguished McK- research field. Lu and members of the Women Hydrocarbon Separation, was co-written by night University Professor with CEMS, in Science and Engineering group will adapt Pragya Verma, graduate student research has worked closely with Lodge both in the popular Solar Hydrogen Activity Research assistant, and Xuefei Xu, Ph.D., postdoctoral MRSEC and on collaborative research Kit (SHArK), an outreach program in several associate. It was published in the May 22 initiatives. He writes, “The impact of high schools and universities, to a solar energy edition of The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, MRSEC on the research enterprise at the workshop for middle school girls. and can be found at http://z.umn.edu/e4c. university is far reaching—more than 50 graduate students and post doctorates Truhlar has also written 84 book chapters for Valerie Pierre are supported by MRSEC, and leveraged a total of 1,084 publications. According to Professor Valerie Pierre received a fall 2012 MRSEC funds for capital equipment has the Web of Science, his index factor is 118, Translational Grant Award from the Univer- resulted in millions of dollars worth of new and his papers have been cited 64,294 times. sity of Minnesota’s Clinical and Translational instrumentation for university facilitie… Truhlar is one of the University of Minnesota Science Institute (CTSI). Her research encom- I am convinced that Lodge’s vision and Department of Chemistry’s most distin- passes siderophore aptasensors for immedi- steadfast stewardship of MRSEC is helping guished professors and researchers, and is one ate point-of-care diagnosis of urinary tract to propel the university to national promi- of the top physical chemists in the world. He infections. nence in materials research.” has received many prestigious awards and This round of awards, designed to facilitate honors for his research and his seminal contri- Frank S. Bates, head of CEMS, notes: the highest quality translational research, was butions that have advanced and transformed “Tim is the quintessential leader, one dedicated to junior investigators at the Uni- chemistry and chemical physics. who sets the highest standards and drives versity of Minnesota. Pierre was one of four excellence by example. He has been a most His contributions to the scientific community researchers to receive a grant. valued friend and colleague for nearly 25 include serving as an associate editor for the years, a brilliant scholar and a dedicated In translational research, scientific discoveries Journal of the American Chemical Society and edi- servant to the university and our profes- are moved from the laboratory into real-world tor of Computer Physics Communications. Truhlar sion. Simply put, Tim Lodge has inspired practice, leading to improved human health. also is a member of the National Academy of me, and innumerable others, to reach Pierre will partner with a project development Sciences of the United States of America, and higher and further.” team from the CTSI Office of Discovery and the International Academy of Quantum Mo- Translation (ODAT), which will provide lecular Sciences. He is a fellow of the American Lodge is the third current Regents Pro- project mapping and translational research ex- Association for the Advancement of Science, the fessor in the Department of Chemistry, pertise to facilitate the achievement of specific American Physical Society, the American Chem- joining honorees Lawrence Que Jr., and metrics and endpoints. ical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and Donald Truhlar, and also the third current the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute. Regents Professor in the Department William Pomerantz of Chemical Engineering and Materials Truhlar is a member of the Department of Science along with Frank Bates and Lanny Professor William Pomerantz and his research- Chemistry’s Chemical Theory Center, and a Schmidt. The Regents Professor position ers were awarded an American Cancer Society co-investigator in the Nanoporous Materials was established in 1965 by the Board of Institutional Research Grant to support their Genome Center collaborative based on the Regents to recognize the national and research designing a class of peptide mimetic, University of Minnesota. which they term polarity switch peptides. international prominence of faculty mem- Molecular design rules are being developed as Truhlar also received the Graduate and Pro- bers. It serves as the highest recognition for a general approach for inhibiting transcrip- fessional Student Assembly 2013 Outstanding faculty members who have made unique tion factor-protein interactions involved in Adviser Award, honored for his exemplary role contributions to the quality of the Uni- acute myeloid leukemia. In-cell 19F nuclear as a mentor and adviser. He was nominated by versity of Minnesota through exceptional magnetic resonance methods are also being his students to receive this award. This award accomplishments in teaching, research and investigated to quantitate cellular uptake of honors advisers who create a culture of mentor- scholarship or creative work, and contribu- these compounds. This one-year award will ship by helping students set realistic expectations to the public good. cover research expenditures. tions, providing opportunities for professional development and/or research, and overcoming personal and professional challenges.

25 Chem news December 2013 2012-2013 Donors

The Department of Chemistry thanks the many generous alumni, faculty, and friends listed below for their donations to support the department year-to-date in 2013. These gifts are vitally important and they benefit our talented undergraduate and graduate students, support our distinguished faculty, and enhance our world-renowned research and incredible academic program. We are grateful for your support.

Individual and Family Steven R Flom Anne Mockovak Lee R Zehner & Susan D Hovland Foundation Donors Dali Gao & Yanfen Guan Erich J & Jacqueline Molitor Zehner Lloyd W Goerke Mary H Murai Richard T Zera Gary & Karin Ahlgren Gregory S Gross Wayland E Noland Ling Zhang & Zhihong Yao Joan & William Barber Leland S Grotte James W O’Brien Eve G Zoebisch Jonathan L Bass William H Gumprecht Kurt D Olson Robert L Batdorf Philip D Hammen Oliver & Lana Ossanna Corporate and Donald F Becker Megan Harper Marion S Owens Corporate Foundation Robert D Berg William R Hasek Rudolph & Louise M Pariser Donors Kyle J Bottorff Eric J Heller George W Parshall 3M Foundation Inc James E & Julie E Brady Robert O Hildebrandt Sheri L Peterson Agilent Technologies Inc Brian M Breczinski Peter & Gladys Howell James A Phillips American Chemical Society Brian & Anastasia Wong Charity Michelle J Hunt Venkateswarlu Pothapragada Ashland Inc Fund Eugene C Johnsen Pothapragada Family Fund-Fidelity Ashland Inc Fund of Greater Cin- Jeffrey J Cernohous Patrick L Johnson Charitable Gift Fund cinnati Foundation Sze-Foo Chien Thomas H Jozefiak R James Puhl Bayer Corp Chin Chu Alejandro Kilian & Santiago Greco S Prabhakara Rao Boeing Co Arthur Coury & Mary Howie Rebecca A & Nathan E Knutson Joan L & Donald N Robinson Chevron Corporation Coury/Howie Fam Fund-Fidelity Charles F & Barbara E Kolpin Thomas S Robison Community Shares of Minnesota Char Gift Fund Carl G Krespan Catherine E Ryan ConocoPhillips Co Berkeley W Cue Jr Joan M Krogh Mark Sannes & Alison Eckhoff The Dow Chemical Co Foundation Darwin D & Dorothy D Davis Maria R Kuss Gary L Santee E I DuPont De Nemours & Co Saliya A De Silva and Marie S Richard J Kvitek Jason E Schaff Ecolab Foundation Pathirana Simon B Lang Joseph D Schroeder Eli Lilly & Co Foundation Inc Jonathan W De Vries Peter G Larson Sean P Scott ExxonMobil Foundation Donald S Debelak Yenyoung Lei & Chuanbin Pan John L Sheard GE Foundation Rodney D Dekruif Bertha A Lewis Estate Margaret H Smith General Mills Foundation Robert & Jill DeMaster Run Li Paul Spiewak The Merck Co Foundation Nicholas R Denny Roland Libers Jay Srinivasan NatureWorks LLC Christopher J Douglas Anastasia L Lim Wong Robert A Stavenger Novartis U S Foundation Charles H Douglass Jr Chadwick D Lindstrom Victor Sussman Pfizer Foundaiton Michael A Dvorak Kyle J Lindstrom Todd A Swanson Phillips 66 Co John H Dygos Robert G Lockwood Carol R & Lynn Swanson Procter & Gamble Co John A & Barbara L Edgar Warren L & Stephanie K Lunds- Glen L & Elizabeth L Swanson Sigma-Aldrich Corp Edgar Family Foundation-Ray- gaard Steven B Sylvestre Waters Corp mond James Charitable Endow- Zhiliu Ma John and Patricia Talley ment Foundation Xcel Energy Foundaiton Lin Ma Talley Family Charitable Fund-Saint Jean R & William H Engelmann Daniel I MacEwan Louis Comm Foundation This listing includes all donations Jerimy R Erickson Brian T Mader Donald R & Colleen M Theissen to the Department of Chemistry Christopher C Felix Frederick L Marsh Jonathan D Thompson received between January 1, Christine & Jon Todd 2013, and September 20, 2013. All William B Tolman gifts received after September 20, 2013, will be recognized in the For more information about making a gift or for assistance, please Loc X Van Sheridan E Vincent next donor listing. Every effort was contact Kathy Peters-Martell, external relations officer for the James J Wade made to ensure the accuracy of Department of Chemistry, at [email protected] or 612-626-8282. Terence C Wagenknecht this list, and we apologize for any You can also make a gift through the department’s website at Edward L Wheeler inadvertent omissions. http://www.chem.umn.edu/giving/. Theodore Wilczek Jr Joseph M Young

26 Chem news December 2013 Help us double scholarship/fellowship support for students By Kathy Peters-Martell Our country is facing an unprecedented need ment, health care, and the nation’s infrastruc- the ways you can support the department and for more scientists (only 11 percent of all ture, tuition costs have continued to rise. While the college. undergraduate degrees in science are awarded it is no longer feasible for students to work I am pleased to report that we have received in the United States). Currently, the demand their way through college as previous genera- notification of two significant future estate for admission into the College of Science and tions have done, getting a chemistry degree is gifts to the Department of Chemistry—one to Engineering (CSE) is at an all-time high (there still a great investment. We have to find a way establish a chair in the department, and one were 12 applicants for every opening in the to help these talented and deserving students to create an endowed fund to support faculty freshman class this year). The competition for get an excellent education at the University of hires and retention and provide funding for the best and brightest students will continue Minnesota. opportunities to strengthen and enhance the to increase. Currently, 36 percent of students We are fortunate to have several donor-fund- department. While the donors wish to remain receive scholarship support in their freshman ed awards in Department of Chemistry and anonymous, we are grateful for these future year. Our goal is to double the scholarship and departmental funds like the Chemistry Special transformative gifts. fellowship support available, and to continue Projects Fund to ease the financial burden of producing exceptional graduates and keep pace To have an impact on our world tomorrow, we obtaining a degree for many students, but it is with global innovation. must invest in our college today. not enough to support everyone. These schol- The average debt load for CSE undergraduates arship and fellowship funds are changing the If you have questions or need assistance in making is 31,000, which is below the national average, lives of the lucky student recipients who will a gift to the department, please contact Kathy but still too high. With decreasing state support go on to shape the future of our world. I ask Peters-Martell, external relations officer for the and the increasing costs of technology and you to consider helping us help our students by Department of Chemistry, at [email protected] or much-needed research and innovation to ad- supporting an existing fund or by establishing 612-626-8282. dress global challenges in energy, the environ- your own fund. I would be happy to discuss

Renfrew continued from page 8

Health and Safety Division gave him its top award. He was co-editor of Safe Laboratories: Principles and Practices for Design and Remodeling (1990), and editor of Safety in the Chemical Laboratory, Vol. IV (1980). He was author of professional papers on plastics, chemical safety, and molecular spectroscopy. He was named to the University of Idaho Hall of Fame, the State of Idaho Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Idahoan University of Idaho Alumni Award. He and his wife Carol received the Idaho Treasures Award from the University of Idaho Retirees Association. In 1985, to mark Renfrew’s 75th birthday, the physical sciences building at the Some of the Department of Chemistry’s scholarship award recipients are, from left, Moriana Haj, Robert University of Idaho was named Mal- C. Brasted Memorial Fellowship a fellowship as well as a part-time apprenticeship in the department’s colm M. Renfrew Hall. The building was General Chemistry Program awarded to an outstanding chemistry major who has expressed an interest in rededicated in 2010 on the occasion of a teaching career in chemistry; Kara Meyers and Matthew Styles, Auzins Scholarship awarded to chemistry his 100th birthday. majors who have shown outstanding academic achievement; Katherine Ziebarth, M. Cannon Sneed Scholarship awarded to a chemistry major who has shown outstanding academic achievement; Megan Malcolm was preceded in death by his Magee, Erin Hill, and Maximillian Margherio, Andrews Scholarship awarded to chemistry majors who have parents, wife Carol, and brother Edgar. shown outstanding academic achievement;and Quang Luu Nguyen, Lloyd W. Goerke Scholarship awarded to a chemistry major who has shown outstanding academic achievement.

27 Chem news December 2013 Department of Chemistry Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 90155

Smith Hall 207 Pleasant Street S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55455

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Alumni news

Alumnus Andrew Aspaas receives Educator of the Year award Alumnus Andrew Aspaas, who is a chemistry instructor at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, received an Educator of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU). Aspaas did his master’s thesis work in Professor Thomas Hoye’s group in 2005.

The MnSCU Board of Trustees bestows the strategies and materials; assessment of student and responsibility, saying, “The job of teaching award to acknowledge and reward exceptional learning and performance; and service to stu- chemistry to the future nurses, scientists, doc- professional accomplishment and to encourage dents, the profession, the institution, and the tors, and citizens in my community is not one ongoing excellence in teaching. The four win- system. This is the seventh year of the awards. I take lightly.” He not only brings a formidable ners of this year’s were selected from 36 faculty knowledge of chemistry to his college but also a The following was written about Andrew: “An- members named Outstanding Educators by scholar’s understanding of student learning, and drew Aspass doesn’t enter his classrooms and the presidents of their respective institutions designs educational experiences for students lab intending merely to walk students through based on nominations by students, faculty peers that allow them to struggle with difficult ideas the concepts and principles of his subject. or staff. Evaluation criteria included: content while they also enjoy the fun of discovery and Instead, he brings to his work a sense of vision expertise and professional growth; teaching developing new skills.”