Mary Lenczewski

B.A. Hiram College (2003)

Mary is originally from the suburbs of Cleveland,
Ohio. In college, biology was her initial interest, but
classes in organic and physical chemistry (and some helpful prodding from a certain P. Chem. Prof) cemented her academic career in chemistry. It was the love of reaction mechanisms that would propel her future choices.

After graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Hiram, she began her route to the coveted Ph.D. in the Dinnocenzo group. After slow beginnings, she is well on her way. To date, she has earned: the Sherman Clarke Fellowship, the Lattimore Graduate Fellowship, the W. D. Walters Teaching Award, and the Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student, as well as her Master’s Degree.

As if the world of chemistry is not exciting enough, she also married her college sweetheart in October, 2005. He is currently studying for his Ph.D. in the philosophy department here at the U of R. Her work in the JPD group focuses on the mechanism of bond cleavage of benzylic silane, germane, and stannane cation radicals generated by photo-induced electron transfer. It combines the best of organic synthesis and physical organic reaction analysis.