Celebrating faculty: Melissa Galloway

Melissa Galloway, associate professor of chemistry and John D. and Frances H. Larkin Scholar of Chemistry

What is the focus of your research?

My research focuses on understanding chemical reactions that occur in small particles in the atmosphere, such as clouds and aerosol. Atmospheric chemists often study a simplified system in the laboratory and then apply what we have learned to the more complex atmosphere; however, there are still many reactions that have not been studied and compounds that have not been identified. My research focuses on understanding the chemical reactions occurring between simple compounds commonly found in atmospheric particles. These reactions can produce sunlight-absorbing compounds, which can affect phenomena such as global climate change. The results from our lab can inform predictions of the human health and climate change effects of these small particles.

How do students benefit from your scholarship and research?

Students are involved in every stage of my research, so they learn to design and carry out experiments and present the data to our scientific community. Students who continue in my lab for several years take responsibility over their project and help to influence our future research. This experience helps them to become independent scientists and provides a foundation as they move on to a future education or career.

What will you be teaching in the fall?

I will be teaching General Chemistry I this fall. Other courses I teach include General Chemistry II, Quantitative Chemical Analysis, Instrumental Analysis, and Environmental Chemistry.

What does receiving an endowed chair mean to you, and how does this endowed position further your teaching and/or research?

It is an honor to receive the John D. and Frances H. Larkin Scholar of Chemistry, and to follow in the footsteps of the faculty who have held this professorship in the past. This endowed position will allow me to provide additional learning experiences to my students in the classroom and research lab.

Read more about faculty members newly named to endowed positions.