Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Faculty Fellows
In 2014, in recognition of the importance of Chemistry to interdisciplinary research at Boston University, the Photonics Center and the Division of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE) are supporting the summer research of two Postdoctoral Faculty Fellows (PFFs) in the laboratory of Center-affiliated faculty. The Photonics Center is supporting Dr. Jennifer Fore, who is doing research in the laboratory of Professor Lawrence Ziegler, expanding the application of plasmonically enhanced spectroscopy to forensic science applications and the Division of Materials Science & Engineering is supporting the summer research of Dr. Daniele Ramella, who is working in the laboratory of Professor Linda Doerrer on high magnetic susceptibility nanoparticles for enhanced contrast imaging of petroleum reservoirs. In addition to Drs. Fore and Ramella, current members of Chemistry’s PFF Program include Drs. Lynetta Mier (Ziegler Group), Rajesh Nayak (Tullius Group), Jennifer Steele (Doerrer Group), and Ya Zhou (Summer Undergraduate Outreach).
Initiated in 2002, the PFF Program provides a two-year, full time appointment for recent PhD graduates who wish to develop strong teaching skills in addition to their research capabilities by doing summer research in Chemistry laboratories. The Program is a highly successful platform for improving the educational experience of BU undergraduates taking both gateway courses and laboratory centered courses in Chemistry. At the same time, it has impacted the quality of chemistry and STEM teaching broadly. PFF alumni have received tenure track chemistry appointments at such leading four-year institutions as Siena College, Hope College, Roger Williams University, Bard College, Georgetown Southern University, Fairfield University, Massachusetts Liberal Arts College, Hamilton College, Wilkes University, Belmont College, Union College, and Seattle University.