Environmental Solid State Chemistry - Nanocystalline Materials - Geochemical Cycling
| Research | People | Publications | Vita | Teaching | Characterization Facility |
R. Lee Penn
Professor of Chemistry
University of Minnesota
B4, 139 Smith Hall
207 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455Education:
9/1998 - 4/2001 Post-doctoral research position, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
8/1998 Ph.D. in Materials Science, U. of Wisconsin - Madison.
6/1992 B.S. in Chemistry, Beloit College, WI.
Academic Employment:
2017 - present: Director of Undergraduate Studies (Chemistry)
2015 - present: Professor, Chemistry, U. of Minnesota.
2008 - 2015: Associate Professor, Chemistry, U. of Minnesota.
7/2001 - 2008: Assistant Professor, Chemistry, U. of Minnesota.
I also hold graduate appointments with Water Resources Science and Geology and Geophysics.
9/1998 - 4/2001: Post-doctoral researcher, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
9/1999 - 12/2000: Adjunct faculty, Chemistry, Towson University, Baltimore, MD.
9/1992 - 8/1998: Research Assistant, Materials Science Program, U. of Wisconsin — Madison.
Research Interests:
Environmental solid-state chemistry - especially electron transfer reactions at the particle-solution interface
Geochemical cycling of natural and synthetic contaminants (e.g., Arsenic)
Aggregation and Growth mechanisms of nanocrystalline particles in suspension
The link between chemical reactivity and particle size, shape, and microstructure
Magnetism of natural and synthetic nanoparticles
K-12 Chemical Education in the Particular Nature of Matter and NanotechnologyTeaching Interests:
General Chemistry
3D Printing
Nanotechnology
Green Chemistry
Effective Allyship for Folks with Marginalized Identities
Peer-to-Peer Workshops to Improve Equity, Access, and Diversity in STEM Fields
Selected Awards and Honors:
Merck Professor (2017-2021)
Community Excellence Award (University of Minnesota’s Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life), 2017
Charlotte Striebel Equity Award, 2016
American Chemical Society Fellow, 2015
Distinguished University Teacher (2015)
The Horace T. Morse - University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education, (2015)
Institute on the Environment Fellow Award (2012)
George W. Taylor/IT Alumni Society Award for Distinguished Teaching, 2009
McKnight Presidential Fellow (2008)
U of MN "George W. Taylor Career Development Award" (2008)
Voted "Best professor in the Chemistry program" by student in the Institute of Technology (2008)
U of MN "Thank a Teacher" Award (2007)National Science Foundation CAREER award (2004-2009)
U of MN "Thank a Teacher" Award (2002)
Albert and Alice Weeks Best Student Research Papers Award, 1999
MSA crystallography award, 1998
National Physical Science Consortium fellowship, a six year award, 1992.
