| Melvin
Druelinger, returned this year to Colorado State University - Pueblo from the National Science
Foundation where he served as a Program Director (Chemistry) in the
Division of Undergraduate Education. He earned his Ph.D. from the
University of Wisconsin (physical organic, D. Lemal) and his BS in
Chemistry from Indiana (physical chemistry research). After a postdoc at
Iowa State (photochemistry, O. Chapman), his initial faculty appointment
was at Indiana State University. Subsequent positions were at the U.S. Air
Force Academy (Distinguished Visiting Professor Program), at Millikin
University (Chairperson), and at now USC. In addition to teaching organic,
he also teaches polymer and industrial chemistry. He is co-author of a new
organic lab text (McGraw-Hill). Dr. Druelinger has served as mentor to
over 40 undergraduates, including many women and minority scholars. In
addition, he has hosted several high school summer scholars in his lab.
Their research has been supported by NIH, NSF, PRF, AFOSR and other
sources. These efforts have led to papers and student presentations at
national and regional ACS meetings, at CUR meetings, and at regional
undergraduate research conferences. Current research interests include a
focus on the selective fluorination of organics (directed to the
generation of biologically active materials), cycloadditions, reactive
intermediates, photochemistry, and polymer chemistry. He has conducted
research at the Seiler Research Lab (USAFA), the Rocket Propulsion Lab
(Edwards AFB), and at DowElanco (industrial sabbatical); he worked with
undergraduates as mentor and supervisor in these settings as well. As a
champion of undergraduate research in all disciplines, Mel has worked as
an organizer and chair or co-chair of the first three Southern Colorado
Undergraduate Research and Creative Works Conferences involving several
disciplines and several schools in the southern Colorado region. He has
served his faculty colleagues as Grants Liaison for the College of Science
and Mathematics and as Director of Research and Sponsored Programs. He has
twice been named Outstanding Faculty Member in the College of Science and
Mathematics. Mel is active in several professional organizations including
the ACS (past Chair, two sections), Sigma Xi (chapter President, 3x) and
CUR (since 1988 - attending all national conferences since then).
"Dr. D." maintains a vigorous program and an active
undergraduate research group. He feels strongly that working with students
in this way is one of the best forms of teaching. He looks forward to the
opportunity to work to support the CUR ideals at the national level. |