Eric A. Fossum

Biography

Professional History Professor of Chemistry – Wright State University, Department of Chemistry, Dayton, Ohio, 2012– present Associate Professor of Chemistry – Wright State University, Department of Chemistry, Dayton, Ohio, 2004 – 2012 Assistant Professor of Chemistry – Wright State University, Department of Chemistry, Dayton, Ohio, 1999 – 2004 Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Winona State University, Winona, MN, Aug. 1996 – June 1999 Postdoctoral Associate, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, June 1995 – August 1996 Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, January 1991 – May 1995 Academic Background Ph.D. Organic/Polymer Chemistry - Carnegie Mellon University, 1995 B.S. Chemistry - University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, 1990

Research Interest

The majority of research in his group is focused on utilizing first principles to solve real world problems ranging from proton exchange membranes for hydrogen fuel cells to "smart" drug delivery agents. The ability to control the macroscopic properties of polymers by "designing in", at the molecular level, the topology and functionality is absolutely critical. There are three main areas in which he is applying this philosophy including: 1) synthesis, characterization, and utilization of hyperbranched polymers with controlled molecular weights and defined levels of branching, 2) tailoring the physical and chemical properties of linear poly(arylene ether) systems by taking advantage of the "unusual" reactivity of a new class of monomer species to afford polymers with truly pendant functional groups, and 3) investigations of amphiphilic, thermo- and pH-responsive polymer systems as agents for drug and gene vectors, catalyst recovery, and sequestering of spent or excess reagents. synopses of ongoing and proposed