Chemistry Commons^™

Purification Of Protoporphyrin Ix Using The Fplc, Ken Overway, Laura Narby

Honors Projects

Protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) is the main pigment in brown eggshells, and it is embedded in the shell gland of hens during the final stages of the egg-making process. This natural dye can be used as a substitute for organic sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). One benefit of PPIX is that it is a natural resource and has a high absorption coefficient in the visible and near-infrared region (NIR). Purified PPIX is extremely helpful in dye-sensitized solar cells because it improves electron injection efficiency, can be chemically modified to improve its absorption efficiency, and can be mixed with nanomaterials such …

Efficient Removal Of Methyl Orange Dye Via A Mnfe₂O₄/Go Nanocomposite With A Ctab Dual-Layer Surfactant Coating, Taher Karami, Soleiman Bahar, Reza Mostafazadeh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study investigated the adsorption of methyl orange (MO) from aqueous solutions using a novel MnFe₂O₄/GO nanocomposite coated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The dual-layer surfactant modification facilitates both electrostatic and lipophilic interactions. This enhancement significantly improves dye removal efficiency. The adsorption process was monitored using spectrophotometry at 464 nm, with various characterization techniques confirming the structural and magnetic properties of the nanocomposite. The optimized parameters for maximum adsorption include a 2-minute ultrasonic dispersion, pH 6.8, and a surfactant-to-adsorbent ratio of 1, achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 285.7 mg/g. The kinetic data followed a pseudo-second-order model, whereas the adsorption isotherm …

Reduced Mediators Released By Cyanobacteria During Exoelectrogenesis Detected Using Differential Pulse Voltammetry, Laura T. Wey, Monica Brachi, Yagut Allahverdiyeva, Shelley D. Minteer

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cyanobacteria generate electrical current through exoelectrogenesis (extracellular electron transfer) downstream of photosynthesis, yet the identity of the endogenous redox mediator(s) responsible remains unresolved. Here, we apply differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to detect and characterise redox-active species released by Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under illumination. To enable sensitive detection, we developed an electrolyte intermediate between BG11 (Blue-Green-11) growth medium and MOPS (3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid) buffer that minimises background electrochemical interference while maintaining short-term cellular functionality. DPV revealed multiple light-enhanced oxidation peaks (0.1–0.65 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)) that were not resolvable using cyclic voltammetry, providing evidence that cyanobacteria release reduced compounds …

Optimizing Multi-Layer/Multi-Physics Passive Adaptive Thermal Enclosures For Climate-Responsive Energy Regulation: A Numerical Study, Rajae Bousselham, Mingjiang Tao, Sergio Granados-Focil, Adriana Hera, Steven Van Dessel

Chemistry

Adaptive facades regulate heat transfer by adjusting their thermal behavior in response to environmental conditions. Passive adaptive systems, including stimuli-responsive thermal storage materials, tunable radiative coatings, and variable-conductivity layers, offer significant potential for material-based thermal regulation. However, their combined potential remains unexplored, as most studies examine individual mechanisms in isolation. As a result, trade-offs among energy savings, material usage, design complexity, and climate responsiveness are often underrepresented, overlooking coupled interactions in multilayer assemblies limiting their effectiveness. This study develops a transient three-dimensional numerical framework coupling heat transfer with multi-objective optimization to evaluate trade-offs between minimizing annual energy consumption and enclosure …

A Review Of Gallium And Germanium Recovery From Industrial Solid Residues, Ernest V. Oteng, Marthias Silwamba, Lana Alagha, Alex Luyima

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The global demand for critical elements such as gallium (Ga) and germanium (Ge), and the shift toward circular mining has accelerated the development of new extraction and recovery processing these metals from industrial solid residues. This transition is driven by a substantial surge in demand for advanced technologies and the depletion of primary ore. Consequently, industrial solid residues, particularly zinc processing residues, smelter slags, flue dusts, and coal fly ash, are emerging as viable alternative sources. These residues incorporate Ga and Ge through isomorphic substitution in phases such as ferrites, silicates, and glassy aluminosilicates, and are enriched by industrial processes, …

Simulating Infrared Spectra Of Matrix Isolation Experiments: What Works Best?, Matthew H.V. Graneri, Dino Spagnoli, Duncan A. Wild, Allan J. Mckinley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Matrix isolation is an experimental technique which allows spectroscopists to observe highly reactive or weakly bound systems by trapping them in frozen noble gas matrices. In this work, we studied the viability of using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) to simulate several H2S·amine complexes isolated in solid argon crystals, comparing the results with conventional density functional theory (DFT) harmonic and anharmonic calculations to assess the most practical and accurate method to calculate the vibrational spectrum of such systems. While AIMD accurately predicted the intensity ratios of certain peaks, the frequencies themselves were no more accurate than conventional harmonic DFT calculations. …

Microwave Spectrum And Iodine Nuclear Quadrupole Coupling Constants Of Difluorodiiodomethane, Cf2i2, Michael J. Carrillo, Michael J. Tubergen, Garry S. Grubbs, S. A. Cooke, Stewart E. Novick

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The high-resolution rotational spectrum of difluoro diiodomethane is reported for the first time. A molecular-beam broadband Fourier transform microwave spectrometer recorded the spectrum over the frequency range of 5.9–18.1 GHz. The rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, and nuclear spin-rotation constants for the two equivalent iodine nuclei were determined from fitting 1378 hyperfine transitions of 163 rotational transitions: A = 2743.79691(18)MHz, B = 587.83103(5) MHz, C = 528.72470(5) MHz, χaa = −1213.287(6) MHz, χbb – χcc = −885.210(5) MHz, and χab = 1437.721(5) MHz. 31 dipole-forbidden/quadrupole-allowed transitions, arising from the large nuclear quadrupole coupling effect of iodine, …

Size-Tunable Tellurium Quantum Dots By Glancing Angle Deposition, S. M. Sayem, Salim Hussain, Fernando Maia De Oliveira, Ranjitha Kumarapuram Hariharalakshmanan, Gregory Guisbiers, Tansel Karabacak

Faculty Scholarship

Tellurium has a unique helical crystal arrangement and pronounced anisotropy that influence its electronic and optical properties at the nanoscale. This study reports the synthesis of pure tellurium quantum dots (Te QDs) on silicon wafer using glancing angle deposition (GLAD). Quasi-hemispherical dots with lateral sizes ranging from 9 to 28 nm and vertical dimensions of 6 to 10 nm were produced as a function of the deposition duration. A comparison of the dot sizes with the Bohr radii of the charge carriers indicated a regime of strong to intermediate confinement. Structural analyses confirmed the polycrystalline nature and trigonal phase of …

Ph-Compensated Hydrogen Peroxide Quantification Using A Dual-Modal Fiber-Optic Probe, Homayoon Soleimani Dinani, Bohong Zhang, Maryam Karimi, Rex E. Gerald, Shelley D. Minteer, Jie Huang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We report a dual-modal fiber-optic probe that integrates electrochemical quantification of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) with co-localized fluorescent pH sensing for pH-indexed interpretation of the H₂O₂ response. H₂O₂ is a reactive oxygen species involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular signaling, and local pH modulates both its production and electrochemical response. Many electrochemical H₂O₂ sensors exhibit pH-dependent sensitivity, creating ambiguity unless pH is measured and used for compensation, which is difficult in small, heterogeneous, or rapidly changing microenvironments. A three-electrode configuration—working (WE), counter (CE), and Ag/AgCl pseudo-reference (pRE) electrodes—is fabricated directly on the cylindrical surface of a 710-µm-diameter optical fiber using …

Evaluating The Nash Reaction As A Sustainable Alternative To The Snar Reaction In The Synthesis Of Pharmaceutical Intermediates, Allison L. Ryerson, James K. Bashkin, Jessica R. N. Thompson, Adam Weiss, Huy Q. Nguyen

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reactions are one of the most widely used reaction classes in pharmaceutical production today, used for example to produce nitroaryl amine intermediates. In comparison to the traditional SNAr pathway, the nucleophilic aromatic substitution of hydrogen (NASH) provides a greener alternative in pharmaceutical production by using cheaper starting materials, eliminating more hazardous solvents, and reducing toxic waste.

Synthesis And Charge Transport Characterization Of 9,9'-Bifluorenylidene-Based Conjugated Molecules For Single-Molecule Conductance, Zach Moughamian, Jahnavi Badiganti, Jinjia Xu

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Molecular electronics explores the use of individual molecules as functional components in nanoscale electronic devices. In this project, fluorenone-based π-conjugated molecules including 9,9'-bifluorenylidene-S and triphenylamine-substituted derivatives were synthesized to investigate structure-property relationships relevant to molecular charge transport. The synthesized compounds were obtained in 13% and 27% yield respectively. ¹H NMR spectroscopy confirms characteristic aromatic resonances in the 7-9 ppm region consistent with the conjugated framework. UV–Vis spectroscopy reveals absorption maxima at 459 nm and 470 nm, indicating extended π-conjugation and donor-acceptor effects. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirms the structure of 9,9'-bifluorenylidene-S, which crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P2₁/c). In …

Enantioselectivity Of The Photochemical Continuous-Flow Isomerization Of Humulones, Gregory M. Giovine, Trevor Smith, Bruce Hamper

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Humulones, the primary natural product present in the historically significant hop flower, represent a largely unexplored candidate for structure-based pharmaceutical design.  Showing promising biological activity as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent, humulones are of interest both for their bioactive properties and for their long-established tolerability and natural abundance.  Humulones undergo a characteristic isomerization reaction, where the six-membered substituted phloroglucinol ring contracts to a five-membered ring isohumulone, under a variety of conditions, including those enabled by brewing conditions (thermal, metal-catalyzed) and by exposure to UV light.  Optimization of the photocatalyzed isomerization of n-humulone to n-isohumulone in flow conditions resulted in a …

Nontarget Analysis Of The Volatile And Semivolatile Chemical Profile Of Wildland Firefighter Gear: Insight Into Occupational Exposure And Health Implications, Patrica Ivy Agorsor, Husam Kafeenah, Margaret D. Taiwo, Robin M. Verble, Michael O. Eze

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Prescribed fire releases a complex mixture of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds to the environment. Firefighters are directly exposed to these hazardous mixtures through occupational activities. This study investigated the volatile and semivolatile chemical contamination profile of firefighter protective gear and the effectiveness of laundering as a decontamination strategy. Our results revealed that firefighter gear accumulated a broad spectrum of combustion-derived contaminants, predominantly composed of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and derivatives, phenolic compounds, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Representative compounds identified included toluene, biphenyl, naphthalene, 1-methynaphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, acenaphthene, phenol, alkylated phenols, and chlorinated phenols. Quantitative analysis revealed representative combustion-derived compounds at concentrations (mean …

Therapeutic Outcomes Of Oral Antibiotics For The Treatment Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Urinary Tract Infections: A Multisite, Retrospective Cohort Study Of Linezolid, Trimethoprim–Sulfamethoxazole And Doxycycline, Ryan Mccall, Elena Gatskevich, Steven E. Fiester, Michael Floren, Elisabeth Chandler

Chemistry Publications

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) urinary tract infections (UTIs), while relatively uncommon, pose a unique challenge in treatment as only specific intravenous (IV) options are typically utilized, with the efficacy of oral antimicrobials being poorly defined. Methods: The multi-site retrospective cohort study described herein therefore aims to characterize outcomes associated with oral administration of linezolid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), or doxycycline for the treatment of MRSA UTIs. Study participants were adults with culture-positive MRSA UTIs receiving one of the three oral therapies. Exclusion criteria included polymicrobial UTI, concomitant MRSA outside the urinary tract, receipt of non-study anti-MRSA agents for greater than or …

An Ion-Neutral Reaction To Form Cyanobenzene And Ethynylbenzene In Titan’S Atmosphere, Rachel M. Huchmala, Vincent J. Esposito

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The ion-neutral reaction between cyanoacetylene (HC₃N) and phenyl anion (C₆H₅^–) leads to the formation of cyanobenzene (C₆H₅CN) and the ethynyl anion (C₂H^–) via a submerged, exothermic pathway. Through a different mechanism, the same two reactants also form ethynylbenzene (C₆H₅C₂H) and CN^–. These new reactions can be a foundation for the production of substituted benzenes using molecules currently present on Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. Cyclic aromatic molecules like C₆H₅CN and C₆H_{5 …}

Fully Anharmonic Infrared Spectra Of Neutral Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons With Up To 38 Carbons, Nolan J. H. White, Vincent J. Esposito, Christiaan Boersma, Louis J. Allamandola, Jesse D. Bregman, Alexandros Maragkoudakis, Pasquale Temi, Ryan Fortenberry

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Interstellar aromatic infrared band (AIB) spectra show agreement with presently computed anharmonic spectra for various types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) determined using a novel semiempirical quantum chemical method. Since the AIB spectrum is a blend of emission spectra from a vast number of different PAHs, likely with an array of different molecular structures, the spectra for a sample set of 31 PAHs ranging in size from naphthalene (C₁₀H₈) up to circumbiphenyl (C₃₈H₁₆) are combined, giving consideration to almost all PAH structural motifs. The computed numerical quartic force fields coupled to second-order …

Predicting Oncogenic Mutants Of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor In Lung Cancer By Molecular Dynamics Simulation With Machine Learning, Victor O. Anyanwu, Justin Spiriti, Chung Wong

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a frequently mutated protein kinase found in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although therapeutic drugs targeting EGFR are available, not all patients respond to these drugs, and it is not yet known whether some clinically detected mutations are actionable. Although the oncogenicity of some mutants is well established, many mutants found in patients are not yet classified or classified as Variants of Uncertain Significance. For newly discovered rare mutants, strong evidence supporting their classification into oncogenic or benign is often lacking. Under such situations, multiple pieces of evidence can still …

Simultaneous Analysis Of Phytohormones And Lipid Peroxidation Products In Plant Seeds By Lc-Ms/Ms After Molecular Weight Cutoff Filtration, Sargun Kaur, Honglan Shi, Obed Patty, Paul Ki-Souk Nam

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Investigation of the phytohormone and lipid peroxidation product levels in plant seeds can provide an insight into their germination potential and vigor. Simultaneous analysis of these diverse classes of compounds presents a significant challenge for a sample preparation method tailored to accommodate their distinct chemical properties. In this study, an analytical method consisting of simple extraction, molecular weight cutoff filtration, and subsequent liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis was developed for accurate quantification of 11 phytohormones including 2 auxins, 4 cytokinins, 2 gibberellins, abscisic acid, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid in plant seeds. Additionally, the new method was used for …

Infrared Spectroscopy And Photochemistry Of Aromatic Nitriles In Para-Hydrogen Matrices, Sam Mcgrath, Vincent J. Esposito, Linshan Zeng, Thomas H. Speak, Brendan Moore, Pavle Djuricanin, Jun Miyazaki, Takamasa Momose, Ilsa R. Cooke

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Motivated by recent detections of several aromatic nitriles in Taurus Molecular Cloud 1, we report laboratory and theoretical investigations of the vibrational spectroscopy and photochemistry of singly and doubly cyanosubstituted benzene in solid para-hydrogen matrices. We compare the photochemistry of cyanobenzene (benzonitrile) and three dicyanobenzene isomers initiated by excitations at 193 nm. In addition, we report the photochemistry of deuterated cyanobenzene (d5-cyanobenzene), enabling us to determine the major products produced during the cyanobenzene photodissociation. The major products observed in the photolysis of all the nitriles are HCN and HNC, which are likely produced by hydrogen abstraction from para-hydrogen by the …

Photochemistry At The Air-Aerosol Interface, Yi Rao

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Amorphous Calcium Phosphate Maintains Casein Microarchitecture While Modulating Bacterial Growth Kinetics, Vuk Uskoković, Michael Ibba, Lorenzo Eugenio Leiva

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Casein, the primary source of protein in ruminant milk, represents a family of proteins that self-assemble into globules composed of finer spherical subunits and stabilized by calcium phosphate (CP) nanoparticles. These globules act as holdase-type chaperones for unfolded or partially folded proteins, preventing their aggregation. Simultaneously, by integrating CP nanoparticles, they enable the bioavailability of calcium and phosphate beyond their solubility limits, thereby enhancing the nutritional value of milk. Using a range of physicochemical and biological characterization techniques, including scanning and transmission electron microscopy, organic and inorganic elemental analyses, SDS-PAGE, and vibrational, UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopies, it is demonstrated that …

Cultivating Collaboration In Biomolviz: Key Attributes For Building A Stem Educator Community Of Practice, Pamela S. Mertz, Charmita Burch, Roderico Acevedo, Josh T. Beckham, Didem Vardar-Ulu, Kristin M. Fox, Lauren A. Genova, Rachel M. Mitton-Fry, Swati Agrawal, Daniel R. Dries, Kristen Procko

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

BioMolViz is an educational community of practice (CoP) focused on creating resources to improve biomolecular visual literacy instruction and assessment. The community of life science instructors developed in three phases, beginning with a small Core Team that emerged from a conference session and established the domain of interest for the CoP. In-person workshops, supported by short-term funding, drove the initial expansion of the community and the development of shared activities in Phase 2. This CoP was sustained through intentional choices about how members interact, collaborate, and share work. As the community matured in Phase 3, it was supported by longer-term …

A Guided Size Exclusion Chromatography Demonstration For Teaching Polymer Separation And Characterization, Daniel Rivero, Nicole Paccha, Amrita Sarkar

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Practical experience with modern analytical instruments is an essential component of undergraduate chemistry education, yet access to advanced instruments varies widely among institutions because of differences in available resources. Although size exclusion chromatography (SEC) is extensively used in polymer characterization in both academia and industry, undergraduate students at Montclair State University previously had limited opportunities to gain hands-on experience to this technique. To address this need, a demonstration using a multidetector-equipped Malvern Panalytical OMNISEC system was developed and incorporated into a second-year organic chemistry laboratory course during the 2025–2026 academic year. This activity engaged more than 300 undergraduate students representing …

Chemistry In The City Module, Ji Kim

Open Educational Resources

This project integrates a historical environmental health report from the CUNY Digital History Archive into an online Introductory Chemistry course to connect core chemical concepts with real urban pollution issues. Students analyze perchloroethylene contamination in apartments above dry cleaners, apply concepts such as volatility, vapor pressure, and concentration units, and reflect on chemical principles underlying indoor air pollution.

Chemistry In The City Module, Ji Kim

Open Educational Resources

This project integrates a historical environmental health report from the CUNY Digital History Archive into an online Introductory Chemistry course to connect core chemical concepts with real urban pollution issues. Students analyze perchloroethylene contamination in apartments above dry cleaners, apply concepts such as volatility, vapor pressure, and concentration units, and reflect on chemical principles underlying indoor air pollution.

Waste Streams From Next Generation Molten Salt Reactors: The Challenge Of Creating An Insoluble Ceramic For Chloride Salt Waste, Alevtina A. Maksimova, Jake W. Amoroso, Matthew Page, Gregory Morrison, Hans Conrad Zur Loye

Faculty Publications

Molten salt reactors (MSRs) design development is of interest to many research groups and companies. Waste management for MSRs is one of the most important issues that needs to be resolved due to its impact on environmental safety, primarily via the dissolution of radionuclides in water. Furthermore, the waste treatment strategy will have a significant influence on the operating cost of MSRs, which is why a reliable process for the immobilization, transportation, storage and disposal of MSR waste must be addressed. This work presents a new approach for the immobilization of chloride salts from molten salt reactors in stable oxyhalide …

Zero-Field Diode Effect As A Constraint On Cuprate Superconductivity Mechanisms, Armen Gulian, Serafim Teknowijoyo, Vahan Nikoghosyan

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We present measurements demonstrating that copper-oxide high-temperature superconductors can exhibit broken time-reversal symmetry in the absence of external magnetic fields. Using Tl₂⁢Ba₂⁢CaCu₂⁢O₈ microbridges, we observe a pronounced superconducting diode effect at 100 K under strictly zero-field conditions. This nonreciprocal response remains unchanged in magnetic fields up to ±100 Oe. Our results are consistent with recent reports of zero-field diode behavior in Bi₂⁢Sr₂⁢CaCu₂⁢O_8+𝛿 and together they indicate that time-reversal symmetry breaking may be an intrinsic property of the cuprate superconducting state. These findings provide an additional experimental …

Unveiling Cuo-Doped Mwcnts Incorporated Polycaprolactone As Effective Photocatalytic Nanomembranes For Sequestrating Toxic Dyes From Industrial Wastewater And Antibacterial Applications, Hesham Moustafa, Mohamed Mousa, Mohamed Morsy, Gotdon Price, Mohamed H. Hemida, Samah A. Mohamed, Ahmed Helal

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Organic dyes, such as methylene blue (MB), are widely used in the textile and dyestuff industries, which can be released into the environment as major dye pollutants in wastewater, thereby causing serious environmental hazards. The present research aimed to synthesize effective CuO-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and incorporated into a renewable polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer at varied dosages (i.e., 3, 7, and 10 wt%) to fabricate photocatalytic nanomembranes for toxic dye sequestration. XRD, SEM and FTIR analysis were employed to characterize the structure, morphology and composition of prepared nanoparticles and PCL nanomembranes. The mechanical properties and antibacterial performance of prepared nanomembranes …

Synthesis, Thermal Stability, And Ionic Conductivity Of Phenyl-Extended Viologen Ditriflate Salts: Tailoring Properties Via Oxyethylene Chain Length, Seonghyeok L. Cox, Emily Moon, Si L. Chen, David King, Haesook Han, Pradip K. Bhowmik, Calvin Ng Yi Bin, Thamil Selvi Velayutham, Alfonso Martinez-Felipe

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research

Six new phenyl-extended viologen salts with oxyethylene groups paired with triflate anions (OTF) have been synthesized using anionic ring-opening and ring-closing reactions (ANRORC) and metathesis reactions with LiOTf salts. The salts, which contain terminal oxyethylene chains of varying lengths ((CH₂CH₂O)_n, n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7), are named PEOn-OTF. These materials exhibit a fluorescence response and possess high thermal stability, with processing windows up to approximately 300 °C, as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis. While samples with short chain lengths (n = 1, 2, and 3) undergo crystallization observed …

Norman H. Cromwell, Unl Chemistry; Nu System Dean; Eppley Cancer Center Director, Norman H. Cromwell, Pete Boughn, Mark A. Griep

UNL ORCA Interview Series

This 1980 interview of Normal Cromwell was done by Pete Boughn at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He asked about Cromwell’s history but mostly about his time as director of the Eppley Cancer Center. The interview is reproduced with permission from the UNMC McGoogan Library.

Cromwell was born in 1913 in Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1935, he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in his hometown. In 1939, three things happened: he earned a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Minnesota, he got married, and he was hired …