Environmental Research Literacy ACS Symposium Series

The impact of human activities on the environment continues to be an important topic for researchers and students alike. This work provides inspiration for instructors looking for new topics and new ways to integrate environmental chemistry topics into their classrooms and laboratories. With contributions focused on both teaching laboratories and student research, this collection will be useful for faculty teaching environmental science, chemistry, and biology. These examples showcase successful ways to increase student research literacy and engagement as a foundation for life-long learning.

Lindsey A. Welch is Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences at Cedar Crest College. She teaches upper-level undergraduate courses in inorganic and physical chemistry as well as introductory chemistry, technical writing, and environmental science. She earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry at Lycoming College and a Ph.D. in physical-inorganic chemistry at Lehigh University. She has held an active role in the American Chemical Society by serving on the executive boards of both the Environmental Chemistry and Catalysis Science & Technology technical divisions and various leadership roles in the Lehigh Valley Local Section. She also actively participates in the Catalysis Society of Metropolitan New York. Her service extends to Gamma Sigma Epsilon, where she has served as secretary on the executive committee and advises the Rho Xi chapter. She received the ACS Petroleum Research Fund Undergraduate New Investigator Award in 2016 and continues to mentor undergraduate research in areas of liquid phase catalysis and green chemistry. Michael Berger studied chemistry at Cornell (BA) and Harvard Universities (PhD) and at Brandeis University, where he conducted photochemical research as a postdoctoral fellow. Joining the corporate world, first at Itek Corporation, then at Polaroid Corporation, he was awarded seven patents on photography, photochemistry, and polymeric coatings. Later as a consultant to an environmental engineering firm, he authored twenty-eight Environmental regulatory reports that involved field work, environmental risk assessments, and a working knowledge of Massachusetts and EPA environmental regulations. He has authored twenty-two peer-reviewed articles in the fields of environmental chemistry, photochemistry, kinetics, and post-secondary pedagogy. Presently, Berger is Professor of Chemistry at Simmons University, engaging students in sustainability and the environment while teaching analytical chemistry, quantum chemistry, env