Faculty Profile: Weslene . Tallmadge

Biography

I have always enjoyed learning and, in particular, have enjoyed science and math.  So, majoring in chemistry was a natural fit for me as was pursuing a career at a college/University. I grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania and attended Washington and Jefferson College, majoring in chemistry and obtaining a teaching certificate.  After a year of teaching high school, I pursued a Ph. D. in chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh by studying molecules on metal surfaces using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.  Even better, it was there that I met my husband Jack.

My husband is a chemist too.  Coincidentally, he graduated from Gannon University.  We have three college-age children and an Airedale Terrier named Floyd.  I spend a lot of my time taking care of my family and watching high school sports, like soccer, BMX, and Lacrosse.  However, in my free time I try to work out at the gym, ski, and take Floyd for long walks.

Courses Taught

• General Chemistry I, CHEM 111
• General Chemistry II, CHEM 114
• Physiological Chemistry, CHEM 105
• Chemistry Laboratories, CHEM 112, CHEM 115, CHEM 108
• Chemical Literature, CHEM 356

Educational History

• Washington & Jefferson College, B.A., Chemistry
• University of Pittsburgh, Ph. D. Analytical Chemistry, Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
• Dreyfus Postdoctoral Fellowship, Bates College

Professional Societies

American Chemical Society

• Committee on Chemical Safety, 2011-present
• Erie Section, Councilor, 2010-present
• Erie Section, Secretary, 2004, 2005
• Erie Section, Chair Elect 2006-2008

Publications

PUBLICATIONS 2003-2013

Tallmadge, W. (2013) Review of electronegativity, geometry, polarity and intermolecular forces using Models 360; Chem Ed Digital Library Program; Science Education Resource Center (SERC) http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/chemed-dl/activities/66350.html

Chitester, B.J., Tallmadge, W. (2012) Oh, What a Difference a Carbon Can Make!, National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science at http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/collection/author_list.asp?author_id=1419

Vagula, M. C., Vartak, M., and Tallmadge, W. GC-MS analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Lake Erie,Proc. SPIE 8371, 83711G (2012) .

Tallmadge, W., Chitester, B.J., Integrating Concepts using Online Tutorials in a Freshman
Chemistry Course. Transformative Dialogues: Teaching & Learning Journal Volume 4 Issue 2 November 2010.

Tallmadge, W. Solutions Manual for Environmental Science and Technology: A Sustainable Approach to Green Science and Technology, Second Edition, CRC Press, 2008.

Homan, M. and Tallmadge, W. Evaluation of the extent and transport capabilities of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Lake Erie watershed, The Great Lakes Commission Great Lakes Air Deposition Program, July 2007. http://www.glc.org/glad/Projectdocs/Homan/Gannon_FinalReportv230.pdf

Tallmadge, W. Homan, M. Ruth, C. Bilek, G. “A Local Pollution Prevention Group Collaborates with a High School Intermediate Unit Bringing the Benefits of Microscale Chemistry to High School Chemistry Labs in the Lake Erie Watershed,” Chemical Health and Safety, July/August 2004, 30-33.

PRESENTATIONS and  ABSTRACTS     2003-2013

Weslene Tallmadge, Theresa M. Vitolo, Karinna M. Vernaza, Elisa M. Konieczko,Virginia P. Arp, Sreela Sasi,  Melanie Hatch, Securing Female Faculty for Organizational Retention and Management: Progress and Challenges of the First Year, 2013 NSF ADVANCE Conference, March 4, VA.

Tallmadge, W. (2012)  Evaluation of online activities using Models 360 in Physiological Chemistry, 2012 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, July 29, University Park, PA

Konieczko, E.M., Vitolo, T.M., Arp, V., Sasi, S., Tallmadge, W., Vernaza, K.M., & Hatch, M. (2012).  Initializing Dual Career Services: Adapting for Change. The 2012 International Higher Education Dual Career Network Conference, Beyond the Trailing Spouse: the Future of Dual Career Support in the Academy, June 4-5, Worcester, MA.

Hatch, M., Vernaza, K.M., Arp, V., Konieczko, E.M., Sasi, S., Tallmadge, W., & Vitolo, T.M. (2012). TRANSFORM:  Strategies to Advance Women in Higher Education.   Otterbein’s Women and the New American Dream Summit, March 9-10, Westerville, Ohio.

Al-Dhumani, S., Tallmadge, W., Chitester, B. J. (2012). Cloning and sequencing of GADPH from Calendula officinalis and Brassica oleracea. 244th American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition, San Diego, CA.

Determination of the Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in the Sediments, Water and Biota of the Lake Erie. Marissa Vartak, Weslene Tallmadge and Mary Vagula Regional Science Consortium 7^th Annual Research Symposium; Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle, Erie, PA; November 3-4 Proceedings

M. L. Speer, W. Tallmadge, BJ Chitester, ‘Cloning and sequencing of GAPDH from Brassica oleracea Gongylodes group,’ 239^th American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition, Undergraduate Research Poster Session, San Francisco, CA, March 21-25, 2010.

Weslene Tallmadge, BJ Chitester, Mathew Heerboth, Lessons learned, but not likely to be needed here again, , Division of Chemical Education, 242^nd ACS National Meeting and Exposition, August 28-September 1, 2011

Al-Dhumani, S., Tallmadge, W., Chitester, B. J. (2012). Cloning and sequencing of GADPH from Calendula officinalis and Brassica oleracea. 244th American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition, San Diego, CA.

M. Homan, W. Tallmadge, “Source Apportionment of Atmospheric PAHs within the Presque Isle Bay region,” American Industrial Hygiene Association National Meeting, November, 2007.

W. T. Tallmadge and B.J. Chitester, “Integrating Concepts Using Online Tutorials in a Freshman Chemistry Course,” 18^th International Conference on College Teaching and Learning, Jacksonville, Fl, April 3, 2007.

J. Dahl, W. Tallmadge, M. Homan, C. Saber, “Spatial Distributions and Profiles of PAHs on Exterior Window Surfaces in Erie, PA,” Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry, Chicago, IL, February 28^th, 2007.

Saber, M. Homan, W. Tallmadge, J. Dahl, Velcro as a Surrogate Collection Surface for Dry Deposition of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry, Chicago, IL, February 28^th, 2007.

Homan, M., Tallmadge, W., Saber, C., Dahl, J., “Evaluation of the extent and transport capabilities of PAHs in the Lake Erie watershed,” 49^th Annual Conference of the International Association of Great Lakes Research, University of Windsor, May 23, 2006.

Weslene Tallmadge, Michelle Homan,  “Evaluation of the extent and transport capabilities of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,” Great Lakes Advisory Committee Open Community Meeting, Gannon University, April 2004. (no abstract)

Weslene Tallmadge, Michelle Homan, “Local Pollution Prevention Group Focuses on Microscale Chemistry in High School Laboratories,” American Chemical Society 225th National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 2003.

Michelle Homan, Weslene Tallmadge, “Pollution Prevention in High School Laboratories: Teaching and Incorporating the Principles of Environmental Responsibility and Laboratory Safety” American Industrial Hygiene Association National Meeting, May 2003.

EXTERNAL GRANTS

Hatch, M.L., Konieczko, E., Vernaza, K.M., Vitolo, T.M., & Tallmadge, W.T.   TRANSFORM:  Teaching Research Advancement Network to Secure Female Faculty for Organizational Retention and Management.  National Science Foundation, Division of Human Resources, ADVANCE-PAID.  Award No. 1107015, September 1, 2011 – August 31, 2016.

Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Education Program, M. Homan and W. Tallmadge, 2008.

Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Education Program, ““Salary to Develop/Refine Curriculum, Equipment Costs and Supplies for Workshop,” M. Homan and W. Tallmadge, 2007.

Great Lakes Air Deposition Program, “Evaluation of the Extent and Transport Capabilities of PAHs in the Lake Erie Watershed “, M. Homan and W. Tallmadge, 2004.

Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Education Program, “Air Quality Education Workshop for Teachers,” M. Homan and W. Tallmadge, 2003.

Scholarship/Research

As an analytical chemist, my research interests have varied widely.  Analytical chemistry involves the quantitative and qualitative characterization of materials.  The purpose of the analysis may range from acquiring a better fundamental understanding of the materials to identifying and quantifying toxic substances.  My thesis research involved the characterization of molecules adsorbed on metal electrode surfaces in order to gain a fundamental understanding of the materials.  However, I have more recently been involved in characterizing contaminants in environmental samples.  Environmental samples are typically of the air, soil, tissue or water matrix.  Contaminants vary widely but are typically the result of human activity.  The characterization involves both quantitative and qualitative analysis.  The analytical chemist is involved from start to finish of the project.  Our analysis has involved the extensive use of extractions to isolate contaminants and gas chromatography/ mass spectroscopy to quantify and identify the contaminants.  For published project information, please see the work of Homan and Tallmadge under selected publications.

Service

• Chair, Department of Chemistry
• Co-Chair, Middle States Self-Study Steering Committee
• CETL Advisory Board
• University Academic Affairs
• University Student Conduct Committee
• Chair, Scientific Reasoning Committee
• College Rank and Tenure Committee