Hampton University - Chemistry Department

FROM THE CHAIRMAN: Your time at Hampton will be filled with enriching experiences. These experiences will be your foundation for successful future careers.The Department of Chemistry is committed to providing an educational environment that allows the student to acquire essential knowledge and skills for future careers in research, education, industry, and health-related professions. We offer both the Bachelor's and the Master's degrees in Chemistry. The undergraduate program is approved by the American Chemical Society.

Starting in the Fall of 2009, the Department of Chemistry will begin offering a B.S. degree in Biochemistry. The B.S. degree in Biochemistry will expand the career options and opportunities for chemistry and other students interested in biomedical research, education, industry and health-related professions. In the past ten years, more than 80% of Hampton University chemistry graduates have pursued postgraduate training in graduate school or medical professional schools. The expectations are that as the fields of molecular and cell biology continue to integrate the sciences of immunochemistry, neurochemistry, and bioorganic, bioinorganic and biophysical chemistry, our students will continue to express a strong interest in these expanding career options. Incoming freshman and other interested students should contact Dr. Isai Urasa at isai.urasa@hamptonu.edu or call 757-727-5396.

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH ABROAD: The Department of Chemistry completed the Fourteeth year of an International Research Training Program.The Minority Health International Research Training (MHIRT) program was established at Hampton University in1995 to provide students and faculty an opportunity to undertake research activities abroad, integrating scientific with social/cultural training. The Department of Chemistry has established three sites on the continent of Africa: The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in Tanzania, Egerton University in Kenya, and the University of Benin in Benin City, Nigeria. The program focuses on two areas of research: natural products chemistry and environmental health. Pictured below are students who particapated in the program this past summer.

In the microbiology laboratory at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, conducting research with marine fungi

Dr. Kimaro is seen in the field collecting water samples from a wastewater stabilization pond.

Working in the Forensic
Chemistry Laboratory

FORENSIC CHEMISTRY : The HU Forensic Chemistry program was established in 2005 as a concentration in the chemistry curriculum in an effort to broaden the student’s scientific career options and the program is off to a good start. Initial contacts, and in some cases, agreements have been established with several sites and facilities, including the Eastern Laboratory Department of Forensic Science of the Commonwealth of Virginia; the National Institutes of Standards and Technology; the Federal Bureau of Investigations; the Department of Homeland Security; and local law enforcement agencies.

This summer, Dr. Patricia Hatch, our newly appointed Forensic Chemistry Coordinator, and two Hampton University Forensic Chemistry students participated in the Department of Homeland Security Summer Research Team Program.Read more

HU CHEMISTRY IN THE NEWS: The October 2008 issue of Hampton Life has an article on the Opening Convocation, where Dr. Edmund Moses Ndip was presented with the Edward L. Hamm, Jr. Distinguished Teaching Award and a second article entitled "New Horizons for the Department of Chemistry" which highlights forensic chemistry research and the new 400MHz NMR spectrometer.

Attending the 11th UMBC Undergraduate
Research Symposium, October, 2008

MORE NEWS: Dr. Paranawithana travelled with three students to present research posters at the University of Maryland--Baltimore County at the 11th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium held October 11th. There were over 400 participants from 40 institutions.

Summer 2008 : In the July 2008 issue of Transformation: the Partnership of Hampton University and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (HU/UPCI partnership), Drs. Paranawithana and Waddell were featured in an article entitled "New survival skills and ethics programs will expand student awareness". See the article on page 7 by linking here to Transformation, July 2008.