Graduate Students

UNC Chemistry and Biochemistry Graduates - Where are they now?

DOCTORAL DEGREE

James MacArthur, Ph.D. (Class 2010) - Instructor, Chemistry Program, Western Nebraska Community College, Scottsbluff, NE 69301.
Dissertation title: "Factors that promote success in large enrollment general chemistry courses taught with clickers "
E-mail:macarth1@wncc.edu

Vanessa Fishback, Ph.D. (Class 2010) - Instructor, Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO 80217.
Dissertation title: "Pedagogical content knowledge of organic chemistry mechanisms "
E-mail:Vanessa.Fishback@ucdenver.edu

Jodie Wasacz, Ph.D. (Class of 2010) - Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Mount Saint Marry College, Newbergh, NY.
Dissertation title: " Organic Chemistry Preconceptions and Their Correlation to Student Success. "
E-mail:Jodie.Wasacz@msmc.edu

Wendy Schatzberg, Ph.D.(Class of 2009) - Instrument Specialist, Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225.
E-mail:Wendy.Schatzberg@wwu.edu

Sevil Akaygun, Ph.D. (Class of 2009) - Assistant Professor, Department of Secondary Maths and Science Education, Bogazici University, Bebek, Istanbul, Turkey, 34342.
Dissertation title: " The effect of computer visualizations on students’ mental models of dynamic nature of physical equilibrium. "
E-mail:sevil.akaygun@gmail.com

Jacqueline Fajardo, Ph.D. (Class of 2009) - Research Associate/Instructor, Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639.
Dissertation title: " Assessing Recall, Conceptualization, and Transfer Capabilities of Novice Biochemistry Students Across Learning Style Preferences as Revealed by Self-Explanations "
E-mail:jacqueline.fajardo@unco.edu

Mark Wathen, Ph.D. (Class of 2008) - Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Snow College, Ephraim, UT.
Dissertation title: " Effects of Molecular Representation on Chemistry Student’s Understanding of R and S Configuration "
E-mail:mark.wathen@snow.edu

Roxi Finney, Ph.D. (Class of 2008) - Chemistry Instructor, Biological Sciences, The Mount Vernon campus, Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon, WA.
Dissertation title: "Student categorization of general chemistry problems "
E-mail:roxanne.hulet@skagit.edu

Jennifer Duis, Ph.D. (Class of 2008) - Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ.
Dissertation title: " Acid/base chemistry and related organic chemistry conceptions of undergraduate organic chemistry students "
E-mail:Jennifer.Duis@nau.edu

Renee Beaton, Ph.D. (Class of 2007) - Assistant Professor, Chemistry, Adams State College, Alamosa, CO.
Dissertation title: " A case study of the effects of social experiences on the science identity formation of Mexican American females in high school chemistry "
E-mail:rbeeton@adams.edu

Sister Nicole Kunze, PhD (Class of 2006)- Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Mary, Bismarck, ND 58504.
Dissertation Title: "Students' Integration of Multiple Representations in a Titration Experiment"
Email:nkunze@umary.edu

Nathan Barrows, Ph.D. (Class of 2005) - Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapid, MI 49504.
Dissertation title: "Students’ Problem-Solving Strategies, Mental Models, And Representational Preferences In Organic Chemistry: Nucleophilic Alkyl Substitution And Elimination Reactions"
E-mail:Barrowsn@gvsu.edu

Resa Kelly, Ph.D. (Class of 2005) - Assistant Professor, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA.
Dissertation title: "Exploring How Animations Of Sodium Chloride Dissolution Affect Students’ Explanations"
E-mail:rkelly@science.sjsu.edu

Suzanne Charnick, Ph.D. (Class of 2004)- Assistant Professor
Dissertation title: "Students' Perspectives of Undergraduate Chemistry Courses"

Wendy Naughton, Ph.D. (Class of 2004) - Instructor, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minneapolis, MN.
Dissertation title: "Analysis of Chemistry Textbook Content and National Science Education Standards in Terms of Air Quality-Related Learning Goals"
E-mail:wendy.naughton@minneapolis.edu

Tom Pentecost, Ph.D. (Class of 2004) - Assistant Professor of Chemical Education, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI.
Dissertation title: "Analysis of First-Year College Chemistry Students Knowledge about and Usage of Text"
E-mail:pentecost@gvsu.edu

Laurie Langdon, Ph.D. (Class of 2004) - Research Associate (Chemistry Education Specialist),University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO.
Dissertation title: "An Exploratory Study of High School Teachers' Views Regarding Aspects of the Nature of Scientific Explanation"
E-mail:Laurie.Langdon@Colorado.edu

Sean P. Madden, Ph.D. (Class of 2002) - Greeley West High School, Greeley, CO.
Dissertation title: "Qualitative Aspects of Representational Competence among College Chemistry Students: Multiple Representations and Their Role in the Understanding of Ideal Gases"
E-mail:sndmadden1@juno.com

Robert Milne, Ph.D. (Class of 2001) - Faculty, Sheridan College,Sheridan, WY.
Dissertation title: "Reflective Practice and Instructional Uses of Analogies by Secondary-School Chemistry Teachers"
E-mail:rmilne@SHERIDAN.EDU

Jeff Piquette, Ph.D. (Class of 2001) - Associate Professor, Teacher Education Program, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO.
Dissertation title: "An Analysis of Strategies Used by Chemistry Instructors to Address Student Alternate Conceptions in Chemical Equilibrium"
Recipient of the 2007 campus award for excellence in advising/mentoring.
E-mail:Jeff.Piquette@colostate-pueblo.edu

Rebecca Krystyniak-Thompson, Ph.D. (Class of 2001) - Associate Professor, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN.
Dissertation title: "The Effect of Participation in an Extended Inquiry Project on General Chemistry Student Laboratory Interactions, Confidence, and Process Skills"
The winner of "Saint Cloud State University Professor of the Year" award (2003) for "Outstanding teaching."
E-mail:rakrystyniak@stcloudstate.edu

Leonard Himes, Ph.D.(Class of 2001) - Self-Employed.
Dissertation title: "Exploratory Synthesis of Copper Alkoxide as Potential Precursors for Chemical Vapor Deposition of Copper"
E-mail:MinAmer@aol.com

Angela Powers, Ph.D.(Class of 2000) - Assistant Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver, CO.
Dissertation title: "Conceptual Representations of Acids and Bases and Student Problem-Solving Ability"
E-mail:apowers8@mscd.edu

Regina Schoenfeld-Tacher, Ph.D. (Class of 2000) - Assistant Professor, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523.
Dissertation title: "Relation of Student Characteristics to Learning of Basic Biochemistry Concepts from a Multimedia Goal-based Scenario"
E-mail:reginast@colostate.edu

Janice Ems-Wilson, Ph.D. (Class of 1998) - Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL.
Dissertation title: "Inducing Solvent Polarity Rules from Animated Computer-generated Molecular Structures Using an Inquiry-based, Elaborative Interrogation Approach"

Kirk Voska, Ph.D.(Class of 1998) - Associate Professor, Rogers State University, Claremore, OK.
Dissertation title: "Identification and Analysis of Student Reasoning while Solving Chemical Equilibrium Problems"
E-mail:kvoska@rsu.edu

Peter Thomas, Ph.D. (Class of 1997) - Professor of Education/Sciences, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha, OK.
Dissertation title: "Student Conceptions of Equlibrium and Fundamental Thermodynamic Concepts in College Physical Chemistry"
E-mail:facthomasp@usao.edu

Julie Henderleiter, Ph.D.(Class of 1996) - Assistant Professor, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI.
Dissertation title: "Phosphoprotein Changes During the Initial Stages of Cell Division in Zygotic Rainbow Trout"
E-mail:henderlj@gvsu.edu

Patananya Lekhavat, Ph.D.(Class of 1996) - Col. Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, Nakorn Nayok, Thailand.
Dissertation title: "The Impact of Adjunct Questions Emphasizing the Particulate Nature of Matter on Students' Understanding of Chemical Concepts Presented in Multimedia Lessons"

Ming-Tang Kuo, Ph.D.(Class of 1995) - Cha-Nan Pharmacy and Science College, Tainan, Taiwan.
Dissertation title: "Stereochemistry Problem Solving: The Role of Molecular Structure Representations and Cognitive Factors"

Precharn Dechsri, Ph.D.(Class of 1994) - Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.
Dissertation title: "The Effectiveness of a Chemistry Laboratory Manual Design Incorporating Visual Information Processing Characteristics on Student Learning and Attitudes"
E-mail:Pdech@ipst.ac.th

Wilbur Bergquist, Ph.D.(Class of 1993) - Retired. Formerly, Acting Deputy Group Leader and Quality Project Leader, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM.
Dissertation title: "Evaluation ofProblem-Solving Proficiency in Chemistry through Hands-on Assessment Tasks: A Validity Study"
E-Mail:wbergquist@comcast.com

MASTER DEGREE(Incomplete List)

Rui Fang , M.S. Chemistry (Research Emphasis)(Class of 2012). Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs-Mansfield, CT 06269.

Xiaotong Yu, M.S. Chemistry (Research Emphasis)(Class of 2011)
Thesis:"The effects of coating to iron oxide nanoparticles on the conformation of transferrin."

Corina E. Brown, M.S. Chemistry (Research Emphasis)(Class of 2009). PhD Candidate, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Northern Colorado.
Thesis:"The conformation of Yeast Cytochrome c coated on gold nanoparticles at various pH conditions."

Shufeng Bai, M.S. Chemistry (Research Emphasis)(Class of 2008). Associate Scientist, MedImmune.
Thesis: "Conformational changes of cytochrome c coated on gold nanoparticles and thermal stabilities of protein antigens adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide adjuvant."

Nevin Gallagher M.S. Chemistry (Research Emphasis)(Class of 2008). Employed in chemical industry.
Thesis: "Development and Utilization of a Capillary Electrophoretic Method for the Quantification of 6-Thiopure and Its Metabolites."

Tammy Rewerts, M.S. Chemistry (Class of 2008). currently teaching science at Platt Valley.
Thesis:"The Effect of Ion Concentration on Fish Hatchery Success Rate in the State of Colorado. "

Hannah Robus, M.S. Chemistry (Class of 2007). Lab Coordinator, Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder.
Thesis: "Investigation of the relationship between chemistry-related attitudes and other non-cognitive variables in general chemistry laboratory."

Danielle Hall, M.S. Chemistry (Class of 2007). Chemist at Leprino Foods.
Thesis: "Symbols in textbooks: organic chemistry textbook representations of chiral substituted methane."

Yolanda O'Campo, M.S. Chemistry (Research Emphasis)(Class of 2007). Employed in chemical industry.
Thesis: "Exploratory Study of Aged, Untreated and Cyanoacrylate Fumed Fingerprints by Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy."

Christine M. Gaudinski, M.S. Chemistry (Class of 2000). Professor of Chemistry, Department of Natural Sciences, Aims Community College, Greeley, CO.
Thesis: "An Evaluation of How Computer-Based Instruction Affects a Student�s Understanding of Chemical Kinetics: A Qualitative Study "

Tsui-Jung Liao, M.S. Chemistry (Class of 1995). Teaching in Taiwan.
Thesis: "Text Aids for Multimedia Lessons in General Chemistry"

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