A Message From the Chair
Cougar Chemistry Friends,
Greetings from sunny, beautiful Pullman, WA. As the new chair, I want to take a moment to introduce myself. I am a physical chemist, and my research interests lie at the intersection of molecular spectroscopy and chemical physics, with a focus on quantum fluids, quantum solids, and other extreme environments. After twenty years on the faculty at the University of Georgia, my wife and I embarked upon the long journey to the Pacific Northwest. I’m excited to reestablish my research group at WSU, and it is a privilege to lead a department with such a deep history of scientific excellence, a standard our dedicated faculty, staff, and students continue to carry forward every day.
There are many achievements to celebrate as we kick off this new academic year: Kirk Peterson was inducted into the Washington State Academy of Sciences, Jeff Bell was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure, Jack Zhang was selected to participate in this year’s Provost Leadership Academy, and Lauren Hatley has been promoted to the position of Director of Administrative Services within the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Lauren’s promotion is richly deserved, and we greatly appreciate her steadfast leadership and service to the department over the past several years.
Change is perhaps the only thing constant about university life, and our department is managing several departures from our excellent group of faculty and staff. In addition to Lauren’s promotion to the Dean’s office, we celebrate with Nikki Clark her retirement following 21 years of distinguished service, and our general chemistry laboratory coordinator, Ryan Rice, is moving on from academia following 18 years of admirable service. We also extend our warmest congratulations to Jim Boncella on his retirement, which begins at the end of this fall semester. It is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of Professors Anjali Sharma and Xiaofeng Guo, who are moving their research groups to the University of Michigan and Texas A&M, respectively. We are deeply grateful for everything Anjali and Xiaofeng did to support the department’s research and instructional missions over the last several years; their collegiality and friendship will be missed, and we congratulate them on securing such excellent opportunities and wish them the best of luck as they begin the next phase of their already highly productive academic careers.
Looking towards the future, we are fortunate to have been authorized to conduct a search for an Assistant Professor (radio-analytical chemistry and nuclear forensics), with an additional search expected to be authorized at the rank of Associate Professor (radio-pharmaceutical chemistry). These faculty recruitments align with WSU’s recent investments and renewed priorities in nuclear science, along with our expanding partnership with Pacific Northwest National Lab. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues and introducing them to you next year.
As it relates to our physical environment, the department has a lot to look forward to in the coming years, as WSU has indicated the renewal of the “science corridor” as a primary goal of the 10-year capital plan. Major renovations are already completed in Abelson and Eastlick halls, facilities occupied by the School of Biological Sciences. The demolition of Heald hall is underway, making way for the Integrated Sciences Building (ISB), which is nearing the end of its design phase. As you can read more below, the ISB represents the first step in a multi-year plan that generates new or renovated facilities for the teaching and research programs of the chemistry department and other CAS units in the physical sciences.
The institution’s prioritization of these projects recognizes that chemistry, as a discipline, remains central to research efforts aimed at addressing society’s most pressing problems. Moreover, every year, our faculty deliver high-quality, foundational STEM instruction to thousands of undergraduates across campus. These new facilities will greatly contribute to our department’s ongoing efforts to modernize our curriculum and elevate our students’ experiential learning experiences, bringing our academic programs into alignment with the needs of our students. This work remains urgent, especially in the face of rapid technological developments and evolving expectations around workforce readiness. As we continue refining our curriculum, we always welcome your perspective as alumni on how we can best prepare our students for the future that awaits them.
Thank you for your continued support of WSU Chemistry. If your travels bring you back to Pullman, please drop by Fulmer Hall to say hello!
Go Cougs!
Gary E. Douberly, Professor and Chair