Department of Chemistry

• David R. Anderson, Chair
• Cindy Applegate
• Larry Augenstein
• John Balyeat
• Sonja Braun-Sand
• Chet Dymek
• Lisa Eagan
• James G. Eberhart
• Danielle Fox
• Renee Henry
• Gordon C. Kresheck
• Brett Mayer
• Mary Bethé Neely
• Janel Owens
• Jerry Phillips
• Ronald R. Ruminski
• Allen M. Schoffstall
• David J. Weiss

David R. Anderson, Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Colorado at Boulder
Office: CENT 228
Phone: 255-3154
E-mail: danderso@uccs.edu
Web Site

My work is in the area of chemical education, with special emphasis on the use of technology in teaching and learning. My course materials are now delivered entirely over the Web; I use PowerPoint, Web material and other software in the classroom; and I have pioneered the use of generative software for discovery learning in class and in lab. Most recently I have been creating:

• The Virtual Organic Laboratory, a series of interactive exercises that give students the opportunity to perform reactions and techniques they would not normally experience in the undergraduate laboratory,
• the Virtual General Chemistry Laboratory - again, experiments that might not otherwise be possible in a traditional laboratory setting: five involving radioactivity and three involving gas laws,
• and CHIPS (CHemistry Interactive Problem Solver), a truly interactive program to help general chemistry students learn how to set up and solve problems.

Cindy Applegate, Instructor
M.S., University of Oklahoma
Office: CENT 216
Phone: 255-3105
Email: capplega@uccs.edu

Cindy teaches Chemistry 101 and 102.

Larry Augenstein, Instructor
M.S., Iowa State University
Office: CENT 220
Phone: 255-3162
Email: laugenst@uccs.edu
Web Site

Over the years, I have been involved in isolating, identifying and analyzing herbicides and their metabolites in animal and plant tissues, soil, and water, and analyzing polluted environmental samples and municipal wastewater. In the semiconductor industry I was a photolithography process engineer. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to help students who will have a hand in shaping the future of the world.

Mr. Balyeat currently teaches several organic laboratory courses (333, 334, 337, 338, 340) and the summer organic lecture course (331). Before coming to UCCS he taught at the Air Force Academy for nine years (general and organic). His graduate research involved the synthesis of various carbene precursors and the mechanisms by which they react. Current chemistry interests include spectroscopy and improving chemical education in general.

Sonja Braun-Sand, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Notre Dame
Office: CENT 234
Phone: 255-3442
E-mail: sbraunsa@uccs.edu
Web Site

Dr. Braun-Sand’s research involves computational and practical aspects of biochemical mechanisms. Currently her work focuses on hexokinase isozymes and computational studies of proton transfer reactions.

Chet Dymek, Senior Instructor
Ph.D., Ohio State University
Office: CENT 222
Phone: 255-3162
E-mail: cdymek@uccs.edu
Web Site

Dr. Dymek's research interests have centered on properties and battery applications of ionic liquids, particularly imidazolium chloroaluminates. Current focus is on integrating semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations into the undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory curriculum.

My previous research projects dealt with the analysis of trace gases, primarily NO and NO₂, in exhaled human breath and in the troposphere. Atmospheric pressure laser ionization mass spectrometry employing REMPI (resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization) was utilized for this work. I am currently teaching Chemistry 103 Lecture and Chemistry 103 & 106 Labs.

Dr. Eberhart's research is focused on two aspects of fluid behavior. The first is the development of improved equations of state to represent the pressure-molar volume-temperature-concentration relationship for fluids and fluid mixtures. The second is the measurement and theoretical prediction of the limit of superheat (or spinoidal temperature) for liquids and liquid mixtures. The predictions are based on thermodynamic stability considerations and an equation of state for the liquid.

I am currently teaching general chemistry laboratory (106H) and instrumental analysis laboratory (420). My previous research included the development and testing of insensitive explosives for next-generation munitions, as well as the study of in-situ reductive dechlorination rates of TCE (trichloroethylene) in groundwater.

Dr. Henry’s research involves developing and synthesizing transition metal complexes that contain structural and functional groups found in enzymes and proteins of interest. By studying these transition metal complexes insights into the function of the original enzyme/protein are elucidated. Enzymes/proteins of current interest to the group will be utilized to bind and separate metal toxins from the environment.

Dr. Kresheck’s research interests are in the area of biochemical thermodynamics, particularly lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions.

As a chemist, Brett has done research and development of commercial household products. His primary focus has been in household products; laundry products and household cleaners, with some other work in the areas of health and beauty aids; bath products and tooth pastes, and air fresheners. His industrial experience has also included pilot plant and manufacturing plant scale-up, market research testing, and marketing of these products.

Mary Bethé teaches Chem 100, 101, 102, and 110.

Current research interests include the development of quantitative methods for the analysis of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and nanomaterials in foods and environmentally relevant samples. Of particular interest is the interaction and effect of food components (such as polyphenolics or similar antioxidants) on the stability and bioavailability of such environmental pollutants.

Jerry led a cancer research team and was involved in science education before coming to UCCS in Fall 2006. Jerry teaches biochemistry courses in addition to directing the Science Learning Center.

The Science Learning Center (SLC) provides free drop-in tutoring for help in both lecture and laboratory science classes. As a student of Biology, Chemistry, Health Sciences and Physics, you have access to the many resources of the SLC. The SLC offers a variety of interactive software, supplemental instruction, graphing and word processing programs. Come join us in the SLC, located in CENT 204.

Ronald R. Ruminski, Professor
Ph.D., University of New Mexico
Office: CENT 236
Phone: 255-3194
E-mail: rruminsk@uccs.edu

The predominate theme of our research is in the design and study of light-induced excited-state energy (electron) transfer processes in transition metal complexes. One aspect of his work is synthetic: the design and synthesis of new molecules specifically having targeted photo- and electrochemical properties. The other aspect is photo-physical: absorption and emission processes, photochemical reactivity and photo-electrochemical measurements.

Allen M. Schoffstall, Professor
Ph.D., State University of New York, Buffalo
Office: CENT 244
Phone: 255-3163
E-mail: amschoff@uccs.edu
Web Site

Dr. Schoffstall's lab research is in the area of synthetic organic chemistry that features modern methodologies using transition metal catalysts to produce polycyclic organic compounds that have specific spatial relationships. Another goal is to produce synthetic analogs with the potential for application to new routes to medicinal compounds. Our pedagogical laboratory research has led to publication of an organic laboratory text, now in its second edition. We have received support from the NSF for laboratory innovations centered on guided inquiry learning. These changes have helped modernize our laboratory curricula and updated our laboratory instrumentation in the undergraduate laboratory program.

David J. Weiss, Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Kansas
Office: CENT 238
Phone: 255-3565
E-mail: dweiss@uccs.edu
Web Site
ACS Student Affiliates Web Site

Dr. Weiss' research involves the development of enzyme based biosensors for diagnosis and monitoring diseases such as PKU, and developing new capillary electrophoresis methods for the analysis of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and chemical warfare agents.