Several chemistry faculty were recently acknowledged at the GGC Fall 2020 Recognition Ceremony. Continue reading below to learn more about our faculty and their achievements.

Dr. Kathryn Zimmermann was the recipient of the GGC Scholarship & Creative Activities Award in recognition of her excellent scholarly work. Dr. Zimmermann received her B.S. in Chemistry from James Madison University. While an undergrad, she participated in research focused on materials science, but became passionate about environmental chemistry after participating in a summer field course. She moved to UC Riverside as a graduate student to study the kinetics and products of photochemical reactions of hazardous air pollutants.

Dr. Zimmermann enjoys working with GGC undergraduate researchers on environmental chemistry research projects. Some of these on-going projects include:

1. The passive air sampling of hazardous air pollutants in the Atlanta Metropolitan Region
2. The single particle characterization of marine aerosols using atomic force microscopy
3. The elemental analysis of synthesized biodiesel and its exhaust particles using ICP-MS
4. The effect of the GA COVID-19 Shelter In Place order on traffic patterns and air quality

Read more about Dr. Zimmermann’s work here.

 

Ms. Veronica Sublett-Breeden was the recipient of the GGC Part-time Faculty Teaching Award. Ms Breeden joined GGC as a part-time chemistry faculty member in Fall 2018, and the Chemistry Discipline was excited to welcome Ms. Breeden as a full-time Lecturer of Chemistry in Fall 2020.

 

 

Dr. Julia Barker Paredes was recognized for her promotion from Associate Professor to Full Professor. Dr. Barker Paredes received a B.A. in both chemistry and biology from Bellarmine University. She went on to complete her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Miami. Her research interests include oxygenation catalysis, catalytic mechanisms, organic/inorganic synthesis, but more recently focuses in educational technology. Dr. Barker Paredes has been at GGC since 2008 and is highly involved in curriculum for the college. She thoroughly enjoys student outreach, activities and community involvement.

Dr. Derek Behmke was recognized for his promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor. Dr. Derek Behmke received his Ph.D. in chemistry education from the University of Georgia in 2011. Prior to earning his Ph.D., Behmke spent two years teaching high school chemistry and AP chemistry both in Wisconsin and Georgia. Dr. Behmke spent four years teaching chemistry at Bradley University before joining the chemistry faculty at GGC in fall of 2014.

Dr. Ajay Mallia was recognized for his promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor. Before joining GGC, Dr. Mallia held faculty positions at Georgetown University, Washington D.C., University of Maryland, College Park, University of District of Columbia, Trinity Washington University and Montgomery College. Dr. Mallia’s research interests include design and studies of soft materials (gels, liquid crystals and polymers), synthesis of pharmaceutically active molecules, green solvents and preparation of metal nanoparticles.

Dr. Joshua Morris was recognized for his promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor. Dr. Morris began his study of chemistry as an undergraduate at Berry College. He then attended the University of Texas at Austin where he studied physical chemistry. His research focused on the implementation of advanced microscopy techniques to study emerging materials for photovoltaic cells. He then went on to study protein mediated synthesis of conductive polymers as a postdoctoral fellow at the Georgia Institute of Technology.