Curtis R. Pulliam, Ph.D.
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Biography
I grew up in central Illinois and did my undergraduate work at Western Illinois University. While there I did an undergraduate research project in organic chemistry involving pyrrole compounds. I also worked summers at an environmental laboratory run by the University of Illinois analyzing river and lake waters.
I received my Ph.D. degree (inorganic chemistry with a minor in analytical chemistry) from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Working in the group of Lawrence F. Dahl, I studied metal cluster compounds, particularly compounds containing iron-sulfur and cobalt-sulfur bonds.
At Utica College, I teach Chemistry and Society, General Chemistry I & II, Instrumental Methods, Inorganic Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, and Research Methods.
I am a member of the American Chemical Society, including the Division of Chemical Education and Division of Inorganic Chemistry, and Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society.
I am an avid UC and UW ice hockey fan and am currently learning curling.
Education
B.S. Western Illinois University
Ph.D. University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research
CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS:
I am interested in the environmental analysis of soils and plant materials, especially for metals, pesticides and polychlorinatedbiphenyls. Atomic absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical methods are used to detect and quantify metals, while gas chromatography methods (with mass spectrometric (MS) and electron capture (ECD) detection) are used for the analysis of pesticides and PCBs. I am also part of an active, multidisciplinary project looking at specific environmental concerns of the local Utica Marsh. This group includes students and faculty from Biology, Geology, and Chemistry.
I am also interested in the synthesis, physical characterization, and structural analysis of new inorganic and organometallic transition metal cluster compounds. Reactions involving reversible metal-sulfur bond formation are of particular interest. This work involves using inert atmosphere techniques as these compounds are usually air sensitive. We use infrared spectroscopy (IR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and electrochemical methods to follow these reactions and characterize products.
The pedagogy of the incorporation of modern instrumental techniques into the General Chemistry Program is another area of interest for me. I believe that chemistry students of all levels can benefit from being exposed to the kinds of instrumentation that chemists routinely use to study matter.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS.
Student authors are designated by *
Publications:
Pulliam, C.R.; Pfeiffer, W.F., Thomas, A.C. “Introducing NMR to a general chemistry audience: An Atoms First appropriate instrumental laboratory.” J. Chem. Educ., 2015, 92, 1378-1380.
Thomas, A.C, Boucher, M.A., Pulliam, C.R. “Qualitative to quantitative and from spectrum to report: Developing an instrument-focused research methods course for first-year students.” J. Chem. Educ., 2015, 92, 439-443.
Pulliam, C.R.; Thoden, J.B.; Stacy, A.M.; Spencer, B.; Englert, M.H.; Dahl, L.F., “Synthesis and Structural-Bonding Analysis of the 50/49/48-Electron Triangular Metal [Co3(h5-C5H4Me)3(m3-S)2]n Series (n=0, 1+, 2+): Singlet-Triplet Solution Equilibrium of the Solid-State diamagnetic 50-Electron Co3(h5-C5H4Me)3(m3-S)2 Cluster,” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1991, 113, 7398-7410.
Presentations:
Nitti, Lana M.*; Pulliam, C. R.; Crandall, J., “Adaptation of a rapid extraction method for lead analysis of community soil samples.” Abstracts of Papers, 41st Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Binghamton, NY, October 5-8, 2016; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2016. NERM-462. (Presented by Lana M. Nitti)
Podolak, Kyle S.*; Case, Derek R.*; Abbot, Gabrielle*; Pulliam, C. R.; Boucher, M. A.; “Synthesis of a series of methyl-1-indanone derivatives.” Abstracts of Papers, 41st Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Binghamton, NY, October 5-8, 2016; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2016. NERM-461. (Presented by Kyle Podolak and Derek Case)
Nitti, Lana. M.*; Pulliam, C. R.; Crandall, J. B., “Adaptation of a rapid extraction method for lead analysis of community soil samples," 24th Conference of the New York State Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, Bolton Landing, NY, April 2016. (Presented by Lana M. Nitti)
Amissah, E. Cole*; Pulliam, C.; Boucher, M., “Conversion of Aqueous “Click” Chemistry Reactions Involving Sugars to Polar Aprotic Systems," 24th Conference of the New York State Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, Bolton Landing, NY, April 2016. (Presented by E. Cole Amissah)
Pulliam, C., “What’s that smell and why is it there?: A GC-MS analysis of home fragrance oils,” Abstracts of Papers, 23nd Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, Aug 3-7, 2014; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2014; P854a.
Pulliam, C., “Introducing NMR to a general chemistry audience: An Atoms First appropriate instrumental laboratory,” Abstracts of Papers, 23nd Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, Aug 3-7, 2014; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2014; P491.
Thomas, A.; Boucher, M.; Pulliam, C., “Using a chemist’s tools: Instrumentation in a non-majors course,” Abstracts of Papers, 23nd Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, Aug 3-7, 2014; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2014; P490.
Boucher, M.; Pulliam, C., “Electrochemistry in the advanced organic laboratory: Electron withdrawing groups in action,” Abstracts of Papers, 23nd Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, Aug 3-7, 2014; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2014; P861.
Davis,* T.; Boucher, M.A.; Pulliam, C. R.; Barr, D.A., "Optimization of a Synthetic Pathway to alpha-Helical Mimetics for Protein Binding Studies," 22nd Conference of the New York State Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, Bolton Landing, NY, April 2014. (Presented by Tasha Davis)
Tehan,* R.M.; Boucher, M.A.; Pulliam, C.R., “Determination of the presence of nootropic compounds in members of the genus Hericium,” Abstracts of Papers, 39th Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Society, New Haven, CT, October 23-26, 2013; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2013. NERM-378 (Presented by Rich Tehan)
Barnes,* S.; Boucher, M.A; Pulliam, C.R.; Barr, D.A., "Synthesis and Characterization of alpha-Helical Mimetics for Protein Binding Studies", Abstracts of Papers, 39th Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Society, New Haven, CT, October 23-26, 2013; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2013. NERM-1416. (Presented by Shaquille Barnes)
Barnes,* S.; Boucher, M.A.; Pulliam, C.R.; Barr, D.A., " Synthesis and Characterization of alpha-Helical Mimetics for Protein Binding Studies," 21st Conference of the New York State Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, Bolton Landing, NY, April 2013. (Presented by Shaquille Barnes)
Pulliam, C.; Pfeiffer, W., “Before it was called “Atoms First” and beyond: 20 years of skipping around in the general chemistry book,” Abstracts of Papers, 38th Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Society, Rochester, NY, September 30-October 3, 2012; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2012.
Thomas, A.; Boucher, M.; Pulliam, C., “Qualitative to quantitative and from spectrum to report: Developing an instrument-focused research methods course for first-year students,” Abstracts of Papers, 244th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Philadelphia, PA, August 19-23, 2012; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2012, CHED-60.
Pulliam, C.; Pfeiffer, W., “Atoms first? So that’s what all this skipping around in the book we have been doing for 20 years is called!,” Abstracts of Papers, 22nd Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Penn State University, University Park, PA, July 29-Aug 2, 2012; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2012; P630.
Pulliam, C.; Boucher, M.; Thomas, A., “From qualitative to quantitative: Developing an instrument-focused research methods course for first year students,” Abstracts of Papers, 22nd Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Penn State University, University Park, PA, July 29-Aug 2, 2012; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2012; P47.
Thomas, A.; Boucher, M.; Pulliam, C., “From qualitative to quantitative to written outcome: Applying instrumentation skills through scientific writing,” Abstracts of Papers, 22nd Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Penn State University, University Park, PA, July 29-Aug 2, 2012; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2012; P48.
Pulliam, C., Organizer and Chair of the symposium “Instrumentation in the General Chemistry Laboratory,” held at the 22nd Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Penn State University, University Park, PA, July 29, 2012.
Joseph,* K.; DeSalvo,* C.; Pulliam, C.R., “The Analysis of Utica Marsh Sediments Core Samples for Heavy Metals,” 54th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, Rochester Section of the American Chemical Society, Rochester, NY, April 25, 2009. (Presented by K. Joseph)
Pulliam, C.R.; Pfeiffer, W.F., “Once is not enough: Multiple uses of multiple instruments in the general chemistry program,” Abstracts of Papers, 20th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, July, 2008; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2008; P50.
Pulliam, C.R.; Pfeiffer, W.F., “Multiple uses of instrumentation in the general chemistry program,” Abstracts of Papers, 234th National Meeting of the American Society, Boston, MA, August 2007; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2007; CHED 456.
Wittenmore,* A.; Kanfoush, S; Provost, T; Pulliam, C.R., “Examination of polychlorinated biphenyl affinity with sediment grain size and organic matter.” Abstracts of Papers, 34th Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Binghamton, NY, October 2006; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2006, #377. (Presentation by Amanda Wittenmore)
Pulliam, C.R.; Pfeiffer, W.F., “Using Molecular Models and Advanced Instrumentation (IR, NMR, HPLC, and AA) in the General Chemistry Laboratory to Explore Atomic and Molecular Structure,” Absstracts of Papers, 19th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, August, 2006; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2006; P225.
Lounsbury,* J.A.; Hyer,* E.A.; Kanfoush, S.L.; Provost, T.L.; Pulliam, C.R., 2006. “Downcore occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyls in the Utica Marsh, central New York.” GSA Abstracts with Programs Vol. 38, No. 2, p.80. Geological Society of America Northeast Regional Meeting, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, March 2006. (Presentation by E. Hyer). This work was also presented (by E. Hyer) at 34th Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Binghamton, NY, October 2006; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2006, #382.
Pulliam, C.R.; Pfeiffer, W.F., “Putting More Structure in the General Chemistry Laboratory by Using Molecular Models, FT-IR, and Carbon-13 NMR – Part II, the Second Semester,” Abstracts of Papers, 32nd Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Society, Rochester, NY, November 2004; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2004.
Pulliam, C.R.; Pfeiffer, W.F., “Using Molecular Models, FT-IR, and Carbon-13 NMR in the General Chemistry Class and Laboratory to Explore Molecular Structure,” Abstracts of Papers, 36th Great Lakes Regional Meeting of the American Society, Peoria, IL, October 2004; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2004.
Pulliam, C.R.; Pfeiffer, W.F., “Putting More Structure in the General Chemistry Laboratory by Using Molecular Models, FT-IR, and Carbon-13 NMR,” Abstracts of Papers, 27th Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Society, Saratoga Springs, NY, June 1997; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1997.
Kubat-Martin, K.A.; Phillips, D.S.; Martin, J.A.; Pulliam, C.R., “Bismuth High Temperature Superconductors: The Interaction of Silver with Bi2-xPbxSr2Ca2Cu3Ox and its Precursors,” Abstracts of Papers, 1993 Spring Meeting of the Materials Research Society, April 12 – 16, 1993, San Francisco, CA.
Kubat-Martin, K.A.; Peterson, E.J.; Phillips, D.S.; Pulliam, C.R.; Gauerke, S.J., “Bismuth High Temperature Superconductors: Precursor Routs to Bulk Bi2-xPbxSr2Ca2Cu3Ox,” Abstracts of Papers, 1992 Fall Meeting of the Materials Research Society, November 30 – December 4, 1992, Boston, MA.
Pulliam, C.R.; Peterson, E.J.; Kubat-Martin, K.A.; Peterson, D.E., “Formation of the Bi/Pb-2223 Superconductor: The Role of Ca2-xSrxPbO4,” Abstracts of Papers, 204th National Meeting of the American Society, Washington, DC, August 1992; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1992; INOR 268.
Pulliam, C.R.; Pfeiffer, W.F., “Incorporation of FTIR and Diode Array UV-Vis Instrumentation Into the Undergraduate Curriculum,” Abstracts of Papers, 204th National Meeting of the American Society, Washington, DC, August 1992; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1992; CHED 57.
Pulliam, C.R., “Utilizing FTIR Sampling Techniques for Transition Metal Coordination Compounds in the Inorganic Laboratory,” Abstracts of Papers, 204th National Meeting of the American Society, Washington, DC, August 1992; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1992; CHED 36.
Pulliam, C.R.; Kupiec,* J.G.; Bara,* L.M.; Nelson, L.L.; Dahl, L.F., “Reversible Sulfur Abstraction from Fe4(NO)4(m3-S)4 by Triphenylphosphine. Crystal Structure of Fe4(m3-S)3(NO)4(PPh3)3,” Abstracts of Papers, 200th National Meeting of the American Society, Washington, DC, August 1990; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1990; INOR 238.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Virgil Crisafulli Distinguished Teaching Award, 2012
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