Dr. Juana Mendenhall, the Walter E. Massey Professor of the Physical Sciences, has made significant strides in advancing the chemical sciences at Morehouse College thanks to support from the Mellon Foundation.
Dr. Mendenhall’s Massey Seminar series has featured leading experts from Duke University, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), and Los Alamos National Laboratory. These seminars have led to valuable new collaborations and the introduction of the CMU Cloud Lab to our curriculum. Starting in Fall 2023, students in the Biophysical Chemistry Lab course will use this virtual lab to conduct experiments and access cutting-edge technology.
Dr. Mendenhall has utilized her Mellon Foundation support to enhance her research laboratory and foster professional development through the Massey Seminar. This monthly seminar series features esteemed leaders from STEM, healthcare, and technology fields. Over the past year, the seminar has welcomed distinguished speakers from institutions such as Duke University, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
These seminars have not only enriched our academic environment but also led to new collaborations. Notably, they resulted in submitted and approved research proposals, including a new course offering—Special Topics in Chemistry (HCHE336)—which will introduce our chemistry students to the CMU Cloud Lab. This virtual remote testing lab will allow students to design and execute experiments using cutting-edge equipment from afar. Beginning in the Fall 2023 semester, students will use the CMU Cloud Lab in their Biophysical Chemistry Lab course (HCHE326L), marking an exciting advancement in our educational approach.
One highlight from the past year is her invited paper in the Journal of Accounts of Chemistry Research titled "Three Dimensional Biomaterials with Spatiotemporal Control for Regenerative Tissue Engineering." This paper addresses critical issues in the chemical sciences and proposes innovative solutions.
Additionally, Dr. Mendenhall organized the Energy Sciences: Experimental and Modeling (ESEM) symposium, bringing together faculty and students from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and national laboratories. Institutions such as Prairie View A&M, Tennessee State University, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory participated in this two-day event at Morehouse College. The symposium provided a platform for students to present their research and develop essential soft skills for navigating the STEM workforce.
Dr. Mendenhall’s dedication to advancing chemical sciences and fostering collaboration within the academic community is truly commendable. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Mellon Foundation for supporting these invaluable initiatives and to Dr. Mendenhall for her unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence.