'Rising star' in chemistry to give Ott Lectureship

An award-winning organic chemist, recognized as a rising star for her research on molecule synthesis, will be this year’s featured speaker for the Arnold C. Ott Lectureship in Chemistry.

Melanie Sanford, the Moses Gomberg distinguished university professor of chemistry at the University of Michigan, will give two lectures, “New Ways to Make Molecules: From Fundamental Science to Applications in Medical Imaging and Drug Development,” and “Developing Organic and Inorganic Molecules for Electrical Energy Storage,” on April 4 and April 5, respectively.

David Leonard, professor of chemistry at Grand Valley, said Sanford is very well-known for her research in developing new methods in synthetic organic chemistry, specifically the production of new molecules, whether they are for agricultural chemicals, medicines, polymers and plastics or components of the electronic grid.

Sanford's public lecture will be April 4 at 6 p.m. in the the Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room, with a reception preceding at 5 p.m. A more science-intensive chemistry seminar is set for April 5 at 1 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center, Pere Marquette Room.

According to Leonard, Sanford’s expertise will be enlightening for students of science and community members.

“Professor Stanford is at the forefront of all of this in the world,” Leonard said. “She's known internationally as a rising star, someone who is thinking about these things in fresh new ways.”

Sanford earned a doctoral degree from California Institute of Technology, has written for more than 100 publications and has received many awards for her work.

The Arnold C. Ott Lectureship in Chemistry was created and endowed by a gift from the late Arnold C. and Marion Ott. Arnold Ott was a leading chemist and entrepreneur in West Michigan. He was also one of the co-founders of Grand Valley and served on the Board of Trustees for 28 years.

-- written by Madison Barnes, student writer