chemistry

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology and the firm, Gordon Nelson and Associates, have been chosen as one of just 14 recipients of a NASA Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program contract award. The award, valued at just under $700,000 for two years, is for phase II research and development of a new, flexible polyurethane insulation foam, created through a non-toxic,…

MELBOURNE, FLA. —Three Florida Institute of Technology faculty members recently earned the university’s 2013 Faculty Excellence Awards for outstanding performance. Recognized were Associate Professor of Oceanography Kevin Johnson, the Andrew W. Revay Jr. Award for Excellence in Service; Assistant Professor of Chemistry Kurt Winkelmann, the Kerry Bruce Clark Award for Excellence in Teaching; and Professor of Mathematics Charles Fulton, the…

MELBOURNE, FLA.—At the Florida Institute of Technology’s recent Spring Honors Convocation, Flaminia Marrucci was the recipient of the Florida Institute of Technology Dr. J. Clayton Baum Chemistry Award. Named for a current Florida Tech professor, the award recognizes outstanding junior chemistry majors based on academic and research achievements. Marrucci, from Nepi, Italy, studies in the research chemistry program. Her research,…

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Alumnus and Trustee Jonathan B. Zung, Ph.D., has established The Martin Zung Memorial Chemistry Endowment Fund at Florida Institute of Technology in memory of his late father Martin Zung. Jonathan Zung received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the university and his doctoral degree in analytical chemistry from Emory University. The scholarship will annually recognize an outstanding junior or…

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Seven Florida Institute of Technology faculty members have been awarded annual Faculty Professional Development Grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 each for their technology and student support proposals. There were 26 applicants this year. Each year, Florida Tech’s Academic Information Technology Committee (ACITC) grants program provides opportunities for Florida Tech faculty and staff to enrich their teaching and professional…

MELBOURNE, FLA.—MSBi Valorisation has become a co-investor with AmorChem in funding research by Florida Institute of Technology and McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. The investors are supporting the universities in developing 5-oxo-ETE Receptor Antagonists for the treatment of eosinophilic disorders, including severe asthma. The project, previously solely financed by AmorChem, is based on the seminal work of chemist Joe Rokach,…

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology will present 2005 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Professor Robert H. Grubbs of California Institute of Technology, as the university’s 15th A. H. Blatt Seminar speaker. The lecture, hosted by Professor Nasri Nesnas of the chemistry department, will take place on Feb. 5, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., in the Gleason Performing Arts Center. The public…

MELBOURNE FLA. ‒ Florida Institute of Technology University Professor of Chemistry Gordon Nelson was recently named president of the Council of Scientific Society Presidents (CSSP). Formerly holding the position for nearly 20 years was Martin Apple, who will continue to serve the council as Director of Research and Development. Nelson previously served as vice president of academic affairs and for…

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Virender Sharma, Florida Institute of Technology professor of chemistry, joins in a National Science Foundation-funded grant to develop ferrates (iron in +4, +5, and +6 oxidation states) to control harmful cyanobacteria from drinking water reservoirs worldwide. The project, which will explore ways to remove cyanotoxins, or water-soluble toxic compounds produced by blue-green algae, provides $402,800 over three years to…

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology’s 21st Annual LASER (Liberal Arts, Science and Engineering Resource) Day will be held on campus Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 2:15 to 8:15 p.m. The free event is designed for 10th, 11th and 12th grade high school students and community college students and their parents, guardians, teachers and guidance counselors. A collaboration of the Florida Tech…