Dr. Vicki H. Grassian of the University of California, San Diego will hold two lectures while at Hope College on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 17-18, through the college’s James and Jeanette Neckers Lectureship in Chemistry.

The public is invited to both talks. Admission is free.
 

Grassian is a distinguished professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego. She also holds the distinguished chair in physical chemistry.

Her first lecture, “Chemistry and Impacts of Environmental Interfaces,” will be on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7:00 p.m. in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall and is intended for a general audience. A welcome reception will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Abstract: Environmental interfaces are defined as any surface in equilibrium with its surrounding environment. From this broad definition, there are a myriad of different types of environmental interfaces that include atmospheric aerosols, engineered and geochemical nanomaterials and indoor surfaces. As will be discussed, the chemistry of environmental interfaces puts a focus on the molecular and nanoscale level interactions that occur in these inherently complex systems.

Her second lecture, “Aerosols and their impacts on atmospheric chemistry, climate and health,” will be on Friday, Oct. 18, at 4:00 p.m., also in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall, and will be more technical in nature.

Abstract: Aerosols, defined as solid or liquid particles suspended in air, play an important role in indoor and outdoor air quality.  Aerosols can impact climate as well as human, ecosystem and planetary health. These tiny particles can also contribute to disease transmission.  In this talk, I will discuss the chemistry and impacts of aerosols from micro to global scales.

Bio: Vicki H. Grassian is a Distinguished Professor and the Distinguished Chair in Physical Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego. She is also the Associate Dean for Research in the School of Physical Sciences. The Grassian group focuses on the chemistry and impacts of environmental interfaces as it relates to atmospheric aerosols, aqueous microdroplets, engineered and geochemical nanomaterials and indoor surfaces. She and her group have developed and utilized a wide range of different state-of-the-art techniques to probe these interfaces throughout her career. In her research laboratory, she has mentored over one hundred graduate students and postdoctoral associates and one hundred undergraduates. Her contributions have been recognized through multiple awards and honors including the 2024 Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award, 2023 ACS Geochemistry Division Medal, 2021 American Chemical Society National Award in Surface Chemistry, 2020 Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization Award, 2019 IUPAC Distinguished Woman in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering Award, 2019 William H. Nichols Medal - New York Section of the American Chemical Society, 2019 Inclusive Excellence Award, UC San Diego; 2018 American Institute of Chemists Chemical Pioneer Award. She is a fellow of several societies including the American Chemical Society, American Physical Society, Royal Society of Chemistry and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2020.

The James and Jeanette Neckers Lectureship and Student Assistance Fund through which Grassian is speaking was established in 1984 by Dr. James W. and Jeanette Hoffman Neckers, members of the college’s Class of 1923, to support annual lectureships in chemistry. Through additional gifts from Dr. Neckers, the fund was expanded to include student summer research stipends and student scholarships.

James Neckers was chairman of the Department of Chemistry at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale for 37 of his 40 years at the university. Under his leadership, the department grew from a three-year offering in chemistry to granting the doctorate, and the faculty grew from three to 23. Jeanette Neckers died on June 10, 1992, and James Neckers died on May 8, 2004.

To inquire about accessibility or if you need accommodations to fully participate in the event, please email accomodations@hope.edu.  Updates related to events are posted when available at hope.edu/calendar in the individual listings.

Graves Hall is located at 263 College Ave., between 10th and 12th streets.