OU chemistry professor receives Oklahoma Chemist of the Year award
Hailing from a small Oklahoma town, one OU alumna and faculty member has been picked from among all research chemists in Oklahoma to receive a statewide award.
OU chemistry professor Donna Nelson received the award for Oklahoma Chemist of the Year March 17 for her research with single-wall carbon nanotubes, alkenes reactions and organic chemistry education.
Nelson has researched carbon nanotubes, a new form of carbon used to change the characteristics of polymers, for five of six years, she said.
Her research with alkenes reactions, used to form compounds like alcohol, and organic chemistry education has spanned two decades, she said. She has published in all three areas.
This award is particularly special to Nelson because of her ties to the state, she said.
I have won a lot of other awards, national-level awards, and Id have to fly away and accept awards in different cities like Chicago or Washington D.C. ... but its always nice to be recognized at ones home, Nelson said.
Nelson has taught organic chemistry at OU for 25 years, OU President David Boren said in an email.
Boren wrote one of the letters of recommendation for Nelson when she applied for the honor.
She has inspired thousands of students to enter into the field of chemistry, Boren said in an email. More importantly, she encourages her students to pass this passion for science to younger generations by serving as mentors for high school chemistry students.
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OU chemistry professor receives Oklahoma Chemist of the Year award
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