Donna Nelson
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Dr. Donna Nelson is an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Oklahoma. She was born in Eufaula, Oklahoma and took her BS in chemistry at the University of Oklahoma in 1974. She obtained her PhD in chemistry at the University of Texas with Michael J. S. Dewar in 1980, did her postdoctorate at Purdue University with Herbert C. Brown during 1980 - 1983, and joined the University of Oklahoma in 1983. She was a Faculty Fellow in the OU Provost’s Office 1989 – 1990. During 2003, she was a Visiting Professor at MIT. Dr. Nelson has been an assistant to American Chemical Society President Dr. Ann Nalley since Dr. Nalley’s election late in 2004.
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[edit] Awards and Honors
Dr. Nelson has received several honors, including SACNAS Distinguished Scientist Award (2006), Women’s eNews 21 Leaders for the 21st Century (2006), AAAS Fellow (2005), Guggenheim Award (2003), National Organization for Women “Woman of Courage” Award (2004), Ford Foundation Fellowship (2003), Oklahoma Outstanding Professor Award (2005), Minority Health Professions Foundation Hall of Fame Inductee (2005), Sigma Xi Faculty Research Award (2001), Oklahoma City Journal Record’s 50 Making a Difference (2004, 2005, 2006), NSF Creativity Extension (1989). The Journal of Organic Chemistry (Feb. 4, 2005) cover featured her research. In the last 5 years, she has spoken at over 100 national meetings of professional societies and organizations, Capitol Hill briefings with the US Congress, teleconferences, universities, and radio and TV programs, such as the McNeil-Lehrer News Hour.
[edit] Diversity Research
She surveyed (FY2001 - FY2004) faculty race/ethnicity, gender, and rank of “top 50” departments in each of 14 science and engineering disciplines (chemistry, physics, math, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, political science, sociology, economics, biological sciences, and psychology). Comparing her faculty data vs PhD and BS attainment revealed that generally, representation of females and underrepresented minorities on faculties is much less than in degree attainment. Her faculty data are complete populations, rather than samples, so they accurately reveal the small number or absence of underrepresented groups. They were obtained simultaneously and by a consistent protocol and are therefore comparable across a large number of disciplines. For chemistry and chemical engineering faculties, her additional national origin data revealed that recently, more immigrants have been hired as faculty than US females and US minorities combined. The final report of the Nelson Diversity Surveys is available at http://cheminfo.chem.ou.edu/~djn/diversity/briefings/Diversity%20Report%20Final.pdf . The GAO report using her data is available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04639.pdf .
[edit] Chemistry Research
In physical organic chemistry, she developed a new synthetically useful technique for gathering mechanistic information on addition reactions of alkenes. The investigations often permit selection of one mechanism from several which are proposed. The technique has helped determine mechanisms of important addition reactions of alkenes, such as hydroboration, oxymercuration, bromination, Wacker reaction, and Wilkinson reaction. She has over 60 peer-reviewed publications. She now applies her earlier research to Single Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWNT) reactions.
[edit] Chemical Education Research
Dr. Nelson utilized her teaching assignment of large sections of organic chemistry to develop and evaluate learning devices for her students. The devices use a visual, rather than oral or written, presentation; two were adopted by publishers to accompany their major organic chemistry textbooks. She also surveys these students in order to determine factors which influence students to select or remain in science majors. Her research results and materials from an education project, designed by Oklahoma high school students and involving precipitate-forming reactions conducted in microgravity on board the STS-40, are the subject of a permanent educational exhibit demonstrating the scientific method, at the Oklahoma Air and Space Museum. She has collaborated with Native American tribes to determine incidences in, effects of, and attitudes toward diabetes in Oklahoma Native Americans.
