Faculty

Mary Fennimore, teaching assistant professor

Mary Fennimore has loved chemistry since taking her first chemistry course in high school and wanted to be a teacher longer than that. She earned her PhD in organic chemistry from University of Nevada, Reno and earned her BS degree in chemistry from University of Portland. She joined the chemistry department in fall 2024 as a teaching assistant professor. Prior to joining WSU, she taught organic chemistry at Tarleton State University.

Kevin Kittilstved, professor

We are excited to welcome Kevin Kittilstved to the Department of Chemistry. Kevin is an inorganic chemist with research interests in inorganic materials chemistry for quantum information and energy applications. Prior to joining WSU, Kevin was a faculty member at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for over 13 years. They completed postdoctoral training at the University of Geneva, earned a PhD from the University of Washington, and received a BS from Gonzaga University. Kevin is also a recipient of the prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award, has directed an NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, and served as an elected Councilor for the American Chemical Society.

Outside the lab and classroom, Kevin enjoys spending time with family and friends, cheering on the Gonzaga Bulldogs and WSU Cougars, and attempting to finish amateur woodworking projects.

Raina Kittilstved, teaching assistant professor

Raina Kittilstved came to WSU from Western Massachusetts, where she taught laboratory sections for majors and non-majors organic chemistry courses. She lived in Massachusetts for 13 years before returning to her home state. She is originally from Seattle and Mukilteo. Raina graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in chemistry and biochemistry, then received a MS, also from UW. She spent five years working for the Washington State Crime Laboratory in Seattle as a forensic scientist in the chemistry section. She has two kids, two dogs, and cat, and enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, gardening, and watching movies.

Marina Popova, teaching assistant professor

Marina Popova joined Washington State University in 2024 as a teaching assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry. She earned her BS and MS in chemistry (summa cum laude) from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, focusing on osmium coordination complexes. She then worked as a chemical engineer at the Research Institute of Mineralogy and Geology of Rare-Earth Metals in Moscow.

In 2013, Marina moved to the U.S. to pursue a PhD in inorganic chemistry at Utah State University, where she studied photo-induced carbon monoxide–releasing molecules for biological applications. Prior to joining WSU, she served as a senior lecturer at the University of Akron.

Ivan A. Popov, assistant professor

Ivan A. Popov received his BS and MS with honors in chemistry from RUDN University, Russia, Moscow. In 2011, Ivan moved to the U.S. to pursue his education under the supervision of Professor Alexander I. Boldyrev at Utah State University, where he obtained his PhD in theoretical physical chemistry. Ivan joined the Theoretical Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory in June 2017 as a Director’s Postdoctoral Fellow, and later in February 2018, Ivan was awarded the J. R. Oppenheimer Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship. In 2021, Ivan started his independent career as an assistant professor at the University of Akron (UA), where he spent three years before joining the Department of Chemistry at Washington State University.

In 2023, Ivan received federal funding from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to work in the Transuranic Chemistry Center of Research Excellence (TRUCoRE) to elucidate the electronic structure of actinide compounds in extreme oxidation states and transuranic hydrides. He has also been recognized at the department levels receiving the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences Early Research and Creativity Award at the UA and Meyer Early Career Launch Fellowship at WSU.

Professor of the Year

Clifford Berkman, voted Professor of the Year by the students of the Department of Chemistry for excellence in the academic year 2024–25.

Faculty Time in Service

Thank you for your hard work, integrity, and dedication to the Department of Chemistry.

• James Boncella, Professor (5 years)
• Jeremy Lessman, Scholarly Associate Professor (25 years)
• Kirk Peterson, Professor (30 years)

Emeritus

Honoring Donald Matteson, PhD — 70 Years of Service with the American Chemical Society

We proudly recognize Donald Matteson for his remarkable 70-year commitment to the American Chemical Society and his enduring contributions to the field of chemistry. Through decades of groundbreaking research and unwavering dedication, Donald has advanced scientific knowledge and fostered collaboration across the global chemistry community. His legacy continues to inspire generations of scientists, and we are honored to have him as a valued member of the Washington State University scientific family.