Chris Babayco
Assistant Professor
PhD, Chemistry, University of California, Davis, 2010; BA, Chemistry, Willamette University, 2004
Chris joined the chemistry department in 2021. Before coming to SOU, he taught at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. Chris teaches Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis as well as general chemistry and chemistry for non-majors. His research currently focuses on understanding the impact of anthropogenic contaminants on environmental systems with a particular focus on how microbial communities are affected by changes in their chemical environments. Outside of the department, Chris enjoys board games, lounging in the sun, and exploring Southern Oregon. View CV here.
Office: Science Hall 267
Phone: 541.552.6803
E-Mail: babaycoc@sou.edu
Jad D’Allura
Emeritus Professor of Geology
PhD, Geology, University of California at Davis, 1977; BS, Geology, University of California at Davis, 1975
His interest in geology sprang from outdoor activities and an insatiable curiosity into how mysteries of the physical environment worked. Having thought knowledge of all the answers would be revealed by now merely exposes how science progresses: answers lead to other intriguing questions then to yet others. Local geology specifically that within the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, continue to intrigue and lure him, and now University of Oregon geology students, back into the field and laboratory. After the demise of the Geology program at SOU the Chemistry Department “adopted” him where one course a year, Metals and Civilization, is taught for the department. Even after 33 years of teaching he hasn’t learned his lesson. He continues to haunt the halls filling the candy bowl and helping chemists and Environmental Students when and where he can. Education doesn’t stop after retirement: leading local field trips, participating in professional organizations, and giving talks to a wide variety of groups doesn’t end. Thankfully.
Office: Science Hall 271
Phone: 541.899.7010
E-Mail: rockit526@gmail.com
Samuel David
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Kentucky, 1997; Postdoctoral, Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania, 2007.
Samuel David joined the department in 2020. He was previously involved in academia and did a brief stint in industry before coming to SOU. His area of research focuses on small molecule natural product synthesis and developing new methodologies towards building useful heterocyclic rings. At SOU he is involved in the organic chemistry, biochemistry and general chemistry curriculum. He is excited to be in this area, since he enjoys outdoor activities and camping. View CV here.
Office: Science Hall 282
Phone: 541.552.6408
E-Mail: davids1@sou.edu
Bethany Lindbloom
Lab Preparator
Brigham Young University, BS, Microbiology, Minor Chemistry
Bethany joined SOU in 2019 and has the privilege of working with both the Chemistry and Biology departments. She previously worked in genetic research at Myriad Genetics in Salt Lake City, UT.
Office: Science Hall 172
Phone: 541.552.8079
E-Mail: lindblb1@sou.edu
Dave Marshall
Chemistry Storeroom Manager
BS, Southern Oregon University, Chemistry
Dave started at SOU in 1996. He is responsible for laboratory set up and operations and maintains the instrumentation and equipment for the Chemistry Department.
Office: Science Hall 234
Phone: 541.552.6416
E-Mail: marshall@sou.edu
Anna Oliveri
Assistant Professor – Chair, Department of Chemistry and Physics
Postdoctoral, geoChemistry, University of California at Davis, 2015; PhD, Chemistry, University of Oregon, 2014; BS, Chemistry, Cum Laude, Juniata College, 2009
Anna Oliveri has been a member of the SOU chemistry department since the Fall of 2016. She started her education with a BS from Juniata College in Pennsylvania, before moving to the west coast for a PhD at the University of Oregon and a postdoc at UC Davis. Anna’s research relates the fields of inorganic synthesis, materials chemistry, geochemisty, and environmental chemistry by studying the speciation of metals in aqueous solution, specifically aluminum cluster complexes. Anna currently teaches General Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry, as well as, serving as the Chemistry Club advisor. When Anna is not in the lab, she spends her time collecting rocks throughout the Southern Oregon countryside. View CV here.
Office: Science Hall 280
Phone: 541.552.6405
Email: oliveria@sou.edu
Hala G. Schepmann
Professor
PhD, Bioorganic Chemistry, Rice University, 2001; MS, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, University of California at Berkeley, 1995; BS Chemistry, Summa Cum Laude, University of Texas at Austin, 1993
Dr. Schepmann joined the faculty at SOU in 2001. Previously, she taught at Cornell College and the University of Texas at Austin. Professor Schepmann specializes in teaching organic chemistry and spectroscopy, biochemistry, and scientific communication. Her interactive course delivery method incorporates guided-inquiry and peer-led team-learning approaches, chemical animations and demonstrations, and historical discoveries with modern scientific applications. Professor Schepmann’s drug-discovery research focuses on the identification of bioactive natural products for pharmaceutical applications. In addition to her pedagogical and scholarship work, Dr. Schepmann co-founded SOU X-Factor, a group focused on advancing the careers of underrepresented faculty by advocating for supportive and equitable policies. This coalition’s accomplishments include spearheading the creation of SOU’s Faculty Ombuds Office, as well as implementing the University’s first Distinguished Faculty Teaching and Service Awards. In continual pursuit of career-life balance, Dr. Schepmann is passionate about promoting science in her community, volunteering with her church, and spending time with her family trying new ethnic recipes and hiking in the Pacific Northwest. View CV here.
Office: Science Hall 287
Phone: 541.552.8172
E-Mail: schepmah@sou.edu
Ellen Siem
Senior Instructor II
Postdoctoral, Interfacial Wetting, CNRS-CINaM Marseille, 2005; PhD, Materials Science & Engineering, Minor French, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2005; BS, Materials Science & Engineering, Northwestern University, 2000
Ellen Siem has been a faculty member at SOU since 2006. She completed research for her doctorate degree at MIT as well as the National Center for Electron Microscopy (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory), the Niels Bohr Institute (Copenhagen), and a French national laboratory (CNRS, Marseille). In 2005, she received a Chateaubriand Fellowship and completed postdoctoral work in Marseille. While at SOU, Ellen has taught a wide variety of courses in physics, energy and climate change, and University Seminar, and students studying chemistry or biology will likely take her general physics courses and labs, where she uses a student-centered, problem-solving approach. In her spare time, Ellen enjoys traveling (she has been to all 50 states and at least 27 countries), helping others, staying physically active, and reading. View CV here.
Office: Science Hall 283
Phone: 541.552.6489
E-Mail: sieme@sou.edu
Michael Springer
Assistant Professor
Mike joined the chemistry department at SOU in 2022. Prior to that, he was a professor at Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, OR for 7 years and College of the Sequoias for 1 year. Mike teaches the organic chemistry sequence and spectroscopy lab. His research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of novel organic materials for energy, electronics, and space applications. He is the affiliate representative of SOU for the Oregon Space Grant Consortium, a program operated by NASA. Mike enjoys architecture, live music, and spending time in the outdoors with his three boys. View CV here.
Office: Science Hall 270
Phone: 541.552.6410
E-Mail: springerm@sou.edu
Michael Tylinski
Assistant Professor
Post-doc, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 2018-2020; PhD, Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2017; BS, Chemistry, Ginnell College, 2011
Mike joined SOU in 2022. Before coming to SOU, he taught at Cornell College, Widener University, and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Mike’s main teaching areas are Physical Chemistry and General Chemistry. His research aims to understand the properties of extremely concentrated solutions of electrolytes in water. Such solutions could be used in future battery technologies. Mike and his research students will be studying these electrolytes with a variety of experimental and computational techniques. Outside of chemistry, Mike loves mountain biking, hiking, and skiing all around Oregon. View CV here.
Office: Science Hall 266
Phone: 541.552.6406
E-Mail: tylinskim@sou.edu
Peter Ka-Chai Wu
Emeritus Professor of Physics
PhD, Materials Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1987; MSc, Materials Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison Physics, 1980; BA, Physics and Mathematics, Cum Laude, Macalester College, 1978
Peter Wu joined the faculty at SOU in 1994. Prior to joining SOU, Peter conducted research including critical phenomena of two-dimensional ordering kinetics, high-temperature high-refractory ceramics, and electronics materials. Since joining SOU, his research has focused on biological systems, microbial-fuels, micro-fluidics, and laser applications in biomaterials. He has collaborated extensively with researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. In additional to his teaching responsibilities, Peter has contributed to programs such as the McNair and materials science program. Peter works with many external entities to promote science education from grade school to graduate level. These include Science Works, ETIC, NASA OSGC, OSU SMILE, UO MSI, and community colleges, RCC, LBCC, PCC, COCC, College of the Siskiyou etc. Peter has received research funding from NSF, NASA, ONR, OMSI, and ETIC which provided research opportunities for SOU students.
Office: Science Hall 181
Phone: 541.552.6492
Email: wu@sou.edu
Contact Chemistry
SOU Chemistry Program
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6405
– Questions About Chemistry? –