Professor Moris Eisen traveled to UMES from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel for a July 27 seminar. SANS students, faculty and staff attended the 2 p.m. presentation, “Tailoring the Chemical Properties of Molecules: From Catalysis to Polymers and Membranes for Water Purification,” in the Carver Hall auditorium. He was the guest of his former PhD mentee Dr. Victoria Volkis who hosted Eisen for a three-day visit to the Eastern Shore.
In his talk, Eisen described how the chemical properties of various organometallic compounds are tailored to allow them to be used as catalysts. Without the correct design, he said, the compounds are totally inactive. He presented his case using very oxophilic complexes and then disclosed the use of them in synthesis of biocompatible polymers. Eisen finished the presentation by showing how to design organic polymers for the synthesis of water filtration membranes and in the desalination of waters.
“This project opens up a world of opportunities for future research in applied chemistry at UMES. Our students and faculty across the school and university will benefit from this great collaboration of fundamental chemistry, agriculture of specialty crops and entrepreneurship,” said Dr. Jonathan Cumming, chair of the Department of Natural Sciences.
Prior to the seminar, Volkis led Eisen to her lab where UMES undergraduate and graduate students involved in research projects related to Volkis’ current grants were able to meet with him on an informal basis. Eisen also met with the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences Dean Moses T. Kairo, Director of Research Joseph Pitula, School of Graduate Studies Dean Lakeisha Harris and Cumming.
Volkis provided Eisen with a tour of the UMES campus, while Dr. Madan Kharel showed him pharmacy chemical research, Dr. Byungrok Min showed him food science labs and Dr. Andre Morales-Nunez accompanied him on a tour of the Paul S. Sarbanes Coastal Ecology Center in Assateague Island, Maryland. He was also able to visit local attractions in Ocean City, Assateague Island National Seashore and Cambridge.
Eisen joined the faculty in the chemistry department at Technion in 1992 and has served as the head of the Schulich Chemistry Faculty for the past four years. He has directed the Institute of Catalysis Science and Technology since 2003.
Volkis received positive feedback from her former mentor about the visit as he noted many interesting and meaningful conversations and enjoyed Shore hospitality.
“Hosting a visiting professor of a ‘worlds-best’ caliber such as this should help promote future collaborations and potential faculty and student exchanges,” Volkis said.
Shelepov, during a visit to Volkis’ lab.
student Mohamed Abdelmotalab.
portable LCMS/TCC/MS instrument.
faculty and students attend Dr. Eisen’s lecture.
Natural Sciences Chair Jonathan Cumming.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
Photos by Todd Dudek, agricultural communications photographer/videographer, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, tdudek@umes.edu.
