The Regents professor of chemistry has received numerous honors for his research and has been named Scientist of the Year by the Oklahoma Academy of Science and Oklahoma Chemist of the Year by the Oklahoma Section of the American Chemical Society, but this student honor is Ford’s first teaching award. And it is particularly gratifying because the students who nominated him were in his rigorous 3000-level organic chemistry class. “I use a no-nonsense approach,” he says, explaining that he designed the course to challenge his students, 280 of them per class on the average. “I set high standards. My aim is to help them prepare for their professions and to meet their career aspirations.” Ford, who has been an OSU faculty member for 27 years, coordinates the Oklahoma Network for Nanostructured Materials project (NanoNet) and directs OSU’s nanotechnology portion of a statewide program funded by the National Science Foundation and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. He says a well-organized class helps his students learn as does providing incentives. “I treat my students as the professionals they are becoming,” he says. “Some will do better than I, and I’m pleased to help along their development.” Eileen Mustain Materer says he tries to modify surfaces so they do something interesting and useful. “I want to control chemistry on very small surfaces, particularly at interfaces. It’s structure and functionality at the nanoscale.” This year the Arts and Sciences Faculty Council awarded the assistant professor of chemistry its Junior Faculty Award for Scholarly Excellence, and the OSU Chapter of Sigma Xi named him the 2005 Young Investigator of the Year, an award given to a scientist who has already established a national reputation for research within 10 years of receiving his or her highest degree. Materer’s research includes the development of a process that senses explosives, particularly triacetonetriperoxide (TATP), a favored explosive of terrorists, and neutralizes them by chemical neutralization rather than exploding them. His research also involves modifying the silicon surfaces of computer chips to make smaller devices that can do more. “Chemical reactions occurring at surfaces play a critical role in the manufacturing of electronic devices,” he says. “Dr. Materer works in the area of surface science that addresses critical issues in the development of semiconductors, sensors, catalysts and homeland security,” physiological sciences professor Jerry Malayer said when presenting Materer the Sigma Xi Award. “His research has a huge impact in paving the way for a whole new generation of sensors and devices that combine organic and silicon-based electronics.” Eileen Mustain A New Feather in His Cap “Dr. Shull is OSU’s astronomy program,” says Smith Holt, former director of OSU’s Center for Science Literacy. “Peter has long sponsored the Astronomy Club, and in 1998 he began a major effort to establish an observatory for the university, which became a reality in 2002.” Shull developed and teaches two astronomy courses at OSU and is coauthor of a book of weekly astronomy exercises for the Voyager solar-system simulator program, which allows students to grasp astronomical concepts while watching the 3-D movement of stars, planets, eclipses and other phenomena on a computer screen. His students use the new H.S. Mendenhall Observatory, located southwest of Stillwater, during special evening sessions, and juniors and seniors also process data gathered at the observatory for further study. Shull uses these observations and analyses to teach freshman-level courses the importance of the observatory and student participation in its operational use. “I want my introductory classes to understand how scientists figured out answers to questions in the past and how they continue to do it today,” he says. “I also try to prepare students to become scientifically literate students who will use their knowledge to benefit both society and themselves.” Janet Varnum On the Surface of Things Warren Ford says he was both gratified and surprised when the Arts and Sciences student council named him the college’s Outstanding Professor for 2005. courtesy Erika Contreras Erika Contreras When talking about Nicholas Materer’s work, surface does not mean superficial. Erika Contreras Oklahoma State University
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAxMjk=