RSEC: Polymer Chemistry Research in Western Massachusetts

马萨诸塞大学阿默斯特分校（Umass）的聚合物科学与工程系由化学系，本科教育系和MPS多学科活动办公室根据“化学教育工作者研究基地”（RSEC）计划提供支持。 首席调查员。托马斯麦卡锡与阿默斯特学院的桑德拉·伯基特、霍利奥克山学院的陈伟和史密斯学院的凯特·奎尼一起参加了会议。 这个西部马萨诸塞州RSEC将整合他们的研究成果。 计划的研究主题是（1）均相催化剂的合理异质化，（2）聚合物材料的分子印迹，（3）表面改性以控制润湿性和生物相容性，以及（4）通过化学和形貌控制蛋白质吸附。 为了扩大RSEC，该计划将把重点放在当地其他九所两年制和四年制院校上。 该RSEC的目标之一是通过将聚合物和材料化学注入到各级现有课程中，并通过开发一个学期的聚合物化学课程以及注释和教师指南来增加参与机构的本科化学专业的数量。 形成这些合作的核心是一系列的休假，以及四个核心机构的教师和本科生的夏季研究任命。 该研究中心将由一名主任和一个由各参与机构代表组成的咨询委员会管理。 此外，还将成立由各院校的管理人员和聚合物研究领域的外部专家组成的执行顾问委员会。化学教育工作者研究基地将参与该计划的两年制大学、学士学位大学和硕士大学的教师与地理区域内研究型大学的教师聚集在一起，旨在为所有参与者提供更多的研究和教育机会。 学术和研究机构提供了大量的机会，个人可以同时承担研究人员，教育工作者和学生的责任，所有人都可以共同努力，为教育注入发现的兴奋，并通过学习视角的多样性丰富研究。 RSEC，如这一个在马萨诸塞州阿默斯特大学提供的机制，传播知识，技能，实践和研究的道德，以更广泛的社区，包括那些从代表性不足的群体;协助制定可行的，可持续的研究计划在参与机构;并涉及教师和学生在参与机构与教师和学生的更广泛的横截面。

The Polymer Science and Engineering Department of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst (Umass) is supported by the Chemistry Division, the Division of Undergraduate Education, and the MPS Office of Multidisciplinary Activities under the "Research Sites for Educators in Chemistry" (RSEC) program. The Prinicipal Investigator,. Thomas McCarthy is joined by Sandra Burkett of Amherst College, Wei Chen of Mount Holyoke College, and Kate Queeney of Smith College. This Western Massachusetts RSEC will integrate their research efforts. The planned research themes are (1) rational heterogenation of homogeneous catalyst, (2) molecular imprinting of polymeric materials, (3) surface modification to control wettability and biocompatibility, and (4) control of protein adsorption through chemistry and topography. To expand the RSEC, the program will focus its attention on nine other two- and four-year institutions in the local area. One of the goals of this RSEC is to increase the number of undergraduate chemistry majors at the participating institutions by injecting polymer and materials chemistry into existing courses at all levels, and by developing a one-semester course in polymer chemistry complete with notes and instructor's guide. Central to the formation of these collaborations is a series sabbaticals, and summer research appointments for faculty and undergraduate students at the four core institutions. This RSEC will be managed by a Director and an Advisory Board made up of representatives from each participating institution. There will also be an Executive Advisory Board made up of administrators from the institutions and outside experts in polymer research.Research Sites for Educators in Chemistry bring together the faculty of participating two-year colleges, baccalaureate colleges, and master's universities with faculty at research universities within a geographic region, for the purpose of enhancing the research and educational opportunities for all participants. Academic and research institutions provide abundant opportunities where individuals may concurrently assume responsibilities as researchers, educators, and students, and where all can engage in joint efforts that infuse education with the excitement of discovery and enrich research through the diversity of learning perspectives. RSECs such as this one at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst provide mechanisms for disseminating the knowledge, skill, practices and ethics of research to a broader community, including those from underrepresented groups; assist in developing viable, sustainable research programs at participating institutions; and involve faculty and students at the participating institutions with a broader cross-section of faculty and students.