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Creager to lead chemistry
After a nationwide search, Clemson’s College of Engineering and Science found its new chemistry department chair in the ranks of current faculty. Stephen Creager, professor of analytical chemistry, has been named to the post. His appointment is effective July 1, 2007.
Creager has been a member of the Clemson faculty since 1995. He earned a B.S. degree (1982) in chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Ph.D. degree (1987) in analytical chemistry from the University of North Carolina. He was a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas from 1987-1989, and taught at Indiana University for six years before coming to Clemson.
His research interests focus on electrochemical science and technology. Current work involves studies of new materials for electrochemical energy storage devices such as rechargeable lithium ion batteries and proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cells. This research is particularly relevant to the national focus on developing new ways of using energy, especially for transportation. He is also active in studying how charges move on the nanoscale, which is applicable to the emerging field of molecular electronics where individual molecules serve as active elements in devices such as logic circuits, memory cells and chemical sensors.
Creager is active in a number of professional organizations. Currently he is vice-chairman of the Electrochemistry Gordon Research Conference for 2008, and is chair-elect for the conference in 2009. He is also a Board of Directors member for the Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry (SEAC).
Creager received the College of Engineering and Science Award for Faculty Excellence in the Sciences in 2003, which recognizes the science faculty member who demonstrated the highest level of research achievement during the preceding year. In 2004, he was one of a 3-person team that received the Crystal Flame Innovation Award, presented at FuelCellSouth 2004, recognizing a large body of Clemson work related to fluorinated materials for fuel cells. His co-recipients were Darryl DesMarteau, Tobey-Beaudrot Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, and Dennis W. Smith, Jr., professor of organic chemistry.
“We are very fortunate that Stephen expressed an interest in leading the chemistry department,” observed College of Engineering and Science Dean, Esin Gulari. “He understands that furthering research and development of technologies such as photonics, advanced materials engineering, biotechnology, nutraceuticals, and nanotechnology hinge upon the advancement of the discipline of chemistry.”
“It’s an exciting time to be in a leadership position in chemistry,” observes Creager. “Chemistry is a fundamental science that serves as a foundation to bioengineering, materials science, physics, nanotechnology and a host of other disciplines. As such, we have tremendous opportunity for collaboration, which I think is the future for technical and scientific education.”
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