Leah O'Brien

 

Department of Chemistry

Voice:  618-650-3562

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

FAX:  618-650-3556

Edwardsville, IL  62026-1652

E-mail:  lobrien@.siue.edu

 

 

Research Interests:

High-resolution molecular spectroscopy; spectroscopy of gas phase metal hydrides, metal halides, and metal oxides; laser and Fourier transform spectroscopy techniques.

Academic Appointment:

  • Professor, 7/01 – present:  SIUE.
  • Honorary Visiting Scientist, 8/04 – 12/04:  University of Missouri – St. Louis (on sabbatical leave from SIUE).
  • Honorary Visiting Scientist, 8/97 – 12/97:  University of British Columbia (on sabbatical leave from SIUE).
  • Associate Professor, 7/95 – 6/01:  SIUE.
  • Assistant Professor, 8/90 – 6/95:  Department of Chemistry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Education and Post-Doctoral Appointments:

  • B.A. cum laude in Chemistry with Departmental Distinction, St. Olaf College, May 1983.  Undergraduate research project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, "High Temperature Synthesis and Laser Raman Characterization of Mixed Sodium-Lanthanide Phosphates."  Research supervisor, Dr. Carlos E. Bamberger.
  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Arizona, December 1987.  Specialization in Physical Chemistry and Molecular Spectroscopy.  Research supervisor, Professor Peter F. Bernath.  Thesis title, "Laser and Fourier Transform Spectroscopy of Gas Phase Molecules."
  • Post-Doctoral Fellowship, 1/88 - 10/88:  under Professor Peter F. Bernath, Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona.  Research projects:  analysis of high resolution Fourier transform emission spectra of diatomic radicals.
  • Lecturer, 9/88 – 12/88:  Inorganic Chemistry.  University of Arizona.
  • Post-Doctoral Staff Fellow, 6/89 - 8/90:  U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Division of Drug Analysis.  Team leader, Dr. William H. Doub, Jr.  Research project:  methods development for the analysis of p-chloro-m-xylenol and its metabolites.

Professional Memberships:

  • American Chemical Society (plus Local Section)
  • American Physical Society
  • Phi Kappa Phi
  • National Education Association
  • National Science Teachers Association

Awards:

  • 2005 Vaughnie Lindsay Research Professor Award, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
  • 2003 Paul Simon Outstanding Scholar Award, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
  • 1987 Carl S. Marvel Fellowship, Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona.  This is awarded yearly to one upper level graduate student and includes a one year, full-time graduate research stipend and tuition expenses.
  • 1985 Departmental Fellowship in Chemistry (cash award), University of Arizona.
  • 1983 Departmental Distinction in Chemistry, St. Olaf College.

Publications:  (maiden name L.C. Ellingboe; red=SIUE student, gold=high school student)

1.            C.E. Bamberger, R.G. Haire, G.M. Begun and L.C. Ellingboe; "Synthesis and characterization of phosphates containing alkali metals and plutonium or lanthanides," Inorg. Chem. Acta 95, 49-56 (1984).

2.            C.E. Bamberger, W.R. Busing, G.M. Begun, R.G. Haire and L.C. Ellingboe; "Raman spectroscopy of polymorphic orthophosphates containing sodium and lanthanide elements," J. Solid State Chem. 57, 248-259 (1985).

3.            C.R. Brazier, P.F. Bernath, S. Kinsey-Nielsen and L.C. Ellingboe; "Laser spectroscopy of organometallic free radicals," J. Chem. Phys. 82, 1043-1045 (1985).

4.            C.R. Brazier, P.F. Bernath, S. Kinsey-Nielsen, L.C. Ellingboe and A.M.R.P. Bopegedera; "Laser spectroscopy of organometallic free radicals," NBS special publication 716, ed. K.M. Evenson, 1986.

5.            C.R. Brazier, L.C. Ellingboe, S. Kinsey-Nielsen and P.F. Bernath; "Laser spectroscopy of alkaline earth monoalkoxide free radicals," J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 108, 2126-2132 (1986).

6.            L.C. Ellingboe, A.M.R.P. Bopegedera, C.R. Brazier and P.F. Bernath; "Laser spectroscopy of Ca and Sr cyanates," Chem. Phys. Lett. 126, 285-289 (1986).

7.            L.C. O'Brien and P.F. Bernath; "Laser spectroscopy of calcium and strontium monocyclopentadienide free radicals," J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 108, 5017-5018 (1986).

8.            C.R. Brazier, L.C. O'Brien and P.F. Bernath; "Fourier transform detection of laser-induced fluorescence from CCN," J. Chem. Phys. 86, 3078-3081 (1987).

9.            L.C. O'Brien and P.F. Bernath; "Fourier transform spectroscopy of the A 2Δ- X 2Π electronic transition of the jet-cooled CCl free radical," J. Mol. Spectrosc. 124, 489-493 (1987).

10.       P.F. Bernath, S.A. Rogers, L.C. O'Brien, C.R. Brazier and A.D. McLean; "Theoretical predictions and experimental detection of the SiC molecule," Phys. Rev. Lett. 60, 197-199 (1988).

11.       L.C. O'Brien and P.F. Bernath; "High resolution laser spectroscopy of strontium isocyanate, SrNCO," J. Chem. Phys. 88, 2117-2120 (1988).

12.       F.S. Pianalto, L.C. O'Brien and P.F. Bernath; "The vibration-rotation emission spectrum of BH (X 1Σ+) by Fourier transform spectroscopy," J. Mol. Spectrosc. 129, 348-353 (1988).

13.       L.C. O'Brien, C.R. Brazier and P.F. Bernath: "High resolution laser spectroscopy of SrOCH3," J. Mol. Spectrosc. 130, 33-45 (1988).

14.       F.S. Pianalto, C.R. Brazier, L.C. O'Brien and P.F. Bernath; "High-resolution laser spectroscopy of the A 1Σ+- X 1Σ+ transition of strontium sulfide," J. Mol. Spectrosc. 132, 80-88 (1988).

15.       C.R. Brazier, L.C. O'Brien and P.F. Bernath; "The A 3Σ- - X 3Π transition of the SiC radical," J. Chem. Phys. 91, 7384-7386 (1989).

16.       L.C. O'Brien, C.R. Brazier, S. Kinsey-Nielsen and P.F. Bernath; "Gas phase inorganic chemistry:  laser spectroscopy of calcium and strontium monocarboxylates," J. Phys. Chem. 94, 3543-3547 (1990).

17.       F.S. Pianalto, A.M.R.P. Bopegedera, W.T.M.L. Fernando, R. Hailey, L.C. O'Brien, C.R. Brazier, P.C. Keller and P.F. Bernath; "Gas-phase inorganic chemistry:  laser spectroscopy of calcium and strontium monoborohydrides," J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 112, 7900 (1990).

18.       L.C. O'Brien, W.T.M.L. Fernando and P.F. Bernath; "Fourier transform spectroscopy of the A 2Π – X 2Σ+ transition of ZnD," J. Mol. Spectrosc. 139, 424-431 (1990).

19.       W.T.M.L. Fernando, L.C. O'Brien and P.F. Bernath; "Fourier transform spectroscopy of the A 1Σ+ - X 1S+ transition of CuD," J. Mol. Spectrosc. 139, 461-464 (1990).

20.       W.T.M.L. Fernando, L.C. O'Brien and P.F. Bernath; "Fourier transform spectroscopy of the A 4S+ - X 4S+ transition of BC," J. Chem. Phys. 93, 8482-8487 (1990).

21.       W.T.M.L. Fernando, R.S. Ram, L.C. O'Brien and P.F. Bernath; "Gas phase inorganic chemistry - laser spectroscopy of calcium and strontium monothiolates and monohydrosulfides," J. Phys. Chem. 95, 2665-2668 (1991).

22.       L.C. O'Brien, R.L. Kubicek and J.J. O'Brien; "Laser Raman spectroscopy of diamond," J. Chem. Educ. 71, 759-760 (1994).

23.       L.C. O'Brien and R.L. Kubicek; "Binding energy curve for iodine using laser spectroscopy:  a laser induced fluorescence experiment for the physical chemistry laboratory," J. Chem. Educ. 73, 86-87 (1996).

24.       L.C. O’Brien, R.L. Kubicek, D.L. Koch, S.J. Wall, R. Friend and C.R. Brazier; "Fourier transform spectroscopy of the Y 2Σ+ - X 2Πi transition of CuO," J. Mol. Spectrosc. 180, 365-368 (1996). 

25.       L.C. O'Brien, S.J. Wall and M.K. Sieber; "Fourier transform spectroscopy of the A 2Σ+ - X 2Πi transition of AgO," J. Mol. Spectrosc. 183, 57-60 (1997). 

26.       L.C. O’Brien, S.J. Wall and G.L. Henry; “The 0-1 vibronic band of A 2Σ+ - X 2Πi transition and the reanalysis of the blue and ultraviolet systems of AgO,” J. Mol. Spectrosc. 191, 218-220 (1998). 

27.       L.C. O’Brien, A.L. Elliott and M. Dulick; “Fourier transform emission spectroscopy of the visible transitions of AuCl,” J. Mol. Spectrosc. 194, 124-127 (1999). 

28.       L.C. O’Brien, A.L. Elliott, M. Dulick and S.P. Davis; “The near infrared Y 2Σ+ - X 2Π transition of CuS,” J. Mol. Spectrosc. 195, 328-331 (1999). 

29.       L.C. O’Brien, H. Cao and J.J. O’Brien; “The near infrared transition of CuCl observed by intracavity laser spectroscopy,” J. Mol. Spectrosc. 199, 100-108 (2000). 

30.       T. Parekunnel, T. Hirao, P.F. Bernath, M. Elhanine, T.L. Kellerman and L.C. O’Brien; “The visible transitions of CuCl,” J. Mol. Spectrosc.  206, 27-32 (2001).

31.       L.C. O’Brien, H. Cao and J.J. O’Brien; “Molecular constants for the v=0, b 1Σg+ excited state of O2: Improved values derived from measurements of the oxygen A-Band using intracavity laser spectroscopy,” J. Mol. Spectrosc.  207, 99-103 (2001). 

32.       L.C. O'Brien, K.M. Homann, T.L. Kellerman and James J. O’Brien; “Fourier transform and intracavity laser spectroscopy of NiCl System H:  Identification of a [12.3] 2S+ state,” J. Mol. Spectrosc. 211, 93-98 (2002). 

33.       James J. O’Brien, J.S. Miller and L.C. O'Brien; “Fourier transform and intracavity laser spectroscopy of NiCl System G:  Identification of a [13.0] 2Π state,” J. Mol. Spectrosc. 211, 248-253 (2002). 

34.       L.C. O’Brien, A.K. Lambeth and C.R. Brazier; “The near-infrared Y 2Σ+ - X 2Π transition of CuSe,” J. Mol. Spectrosc. 213, 64-68 (2002). 

35.       L.C. O’Brien, M.A. Blair and A.K. Lambeth; “The B 0+ - X 1Σ+ transition of AgCl,” J. Mol. Spectrosc. 221, 135-138 (2003).

36.       C.A. Rice and L.C. O’Brien; “Fourier transform spectroscopy of NiCl:  Identification of the [12.3] 2Σ+ - B 2Σ+ transition,” J. Mol. Spectrosc. 221, 131-134 (2003).

37.       S. Tumturk, L.C. O’Brien and J.J. O’Brien; “Fourier transform spectroscopy of NiCl:  identification of a [9.1] Ω=3/2 state,” J. Mol. Spectrosc.  225, 225-229 (2004). 

38.       L.C. O’Brien, S.C. Hardimon and J.J. O’Brien; “Spectroscopy of AuO:  Identification of the [10.7] Π3/2 to X 2Π3/2 transition,” J. Phys. Chem. A 108, 11302-11306 (2004). 

39.       L.C. O’Brien and J.J. O’Brien; “Laboratory measurements of NiH by intracavity laser absorption spectroscopy,” Astrophys. J 621, 554-556 (2005).

40.       C.A. Rice, T.L. Kellerman, B.E. Owen, L.C. O’Brien, H. Cao and J.J. O’Brien; “Spectroscopy of NiCl:  Identification of the X 2Π1/2 state,” J. Mol. Spectrosc.  235 271-274 (2006). 

41.       J.W.-H. Leung, J. Ye, A.S.-C. Cheung, K.B. Gibbs, D.L. Palmer, L.C. O'Brien and J.J. O'Brien; “Spectroscopy of nickel chloride: Identification of the [15.0] 2Π3/2 and [15.0] 2Δ5/2 states,” J. Mol. Spectrosc. 238, 42-48 (2006).  

42.       K.D. Gibbs, D.J. Trader, L.C. O'Brien and J.J. O'Brien; “Fourier transform spectroscopy of NiCl. Identification of the [10.3] 4Φ7/2 state,” J. Mol. Spectrosc. 240, 64-68 (2006).

43.       L.C. O'Brien, A.E. Oberlink and B.O. Roos, “The electronic spectrum of AuO: A combined theoretical and experimental study,” J. Phys. Chem. A 110, 11954-11957 (2006),

44.       S. Shaji, A. Song, J.J. O’Brien, B.A. Borchert and L.C. O’Brien; “Intracavity laser absorption spectroscopy of AuO:  Identification of the b 4Π3/2 – X 2Π3/2 transition,” J. Mol. Spectrosc. 243, 37-42 (2007).

45.       S. Shaji, J. Nunn, J.J. O’Brien and L.C. O’Brien; “Intracavity laser absorption spectra of nickel hydride,” Astrophys. J 672, 722-725 (2008). 

Conference Presentations:  80+ presentations, available upon request.

External Funding:  (bold = current funding)

  • National Science Foundation – Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement:  "Laser Spectroscopy in Undergraduate Physical Chemistry Laboratory," 4/91 - 10/94, $25,600.  (PI:  Leah O’Brien)
  • Research Corporation - Cottrell College Science Awards:  "Spectroscopy of Gas Phase Molecules in the Near Infrared," 1/92 - 12/93, $27,144.  (PI:  Leah O’Brien)
  • Petroleum Research Funds - American Chemical Society:  "Spectroscopy of Diatomic Radicals in the Near Infrared," 4/93 - 8/95, $20,000.  (PI:  Leah O’Brien)
  • National Science Foundation - Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement:  "Excited State Molecular Spectroscopy for Undergraduate Physical Chemistry Laboratory," 9/1/94 - 12/31/96, $25,376.  (PI:  Nahid Shabestary; Co-PI:  Leah O’Brien)
  • National Science Foundation – Professional Opportunities for Women in Research and Education:  “Research Enhancement at the University of British Columbia,” 9/77 - 3/99, $69,700.   (PI:  Leah O’Brien)
  • National Science Foundation – Joint Use Facility Grant:  “Fourier Transform Spectroscopy:  From Basic to Applied Research,” 1/99 – 1/02, $210,000.  (PI:  Jacques Beckers, National Solar Observatory; Co-PIs:  Peter Bernath [U Waterloo], Sumner Davis [UC Berkeley], James Lawler [U Wisconsin], Leah O’Brien [SIUE], and Curtis Rinsland [NASA Ames], all funds to National Solar Observatory)
  • Petroleum Research Funds - American Chemical Society:  “Fourier Transform Spectroscopy of Metal-Containing Diatomic Radicals,” 7/00 – 8/03 $30,000.  (P.I. Leah O’Brien)
  • National Science Foundation – Research at Undergraduate Institutions:  “Visible and Near-Infrared Electronic Spectroscopy of Metal-Containing Diatomic Radicals by Intracavity Laser Absorption Techniques,” 9/02 – 8/07, $175,290.  (P.I. Leah O’Brien)
  • American Chemical Society – Petroleum Research Funds:  “Spectroscopy of Gas Phase Palladium- and Platinum-Containing Radicals,” 2/06 – 8/09, $50,000.  (P.I. Leah O’Brien)
  • National Science Foundation – Research at Undergraduate Institutions:  “RUI:  Spectroscopy of Pd and Pt Catalytic Mimetics,” 9/06 – 8/09, $168,740.  (P.I. Leah O’Brien)
  • National Science Foundation – Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement:  “Collaborative Project Gemini SPM:   Scanning Probe Microscopy in Undergraduate Chemistry Courses,” 4/07 – 8/09, $74,975.  (P.I.  Eric Voss; Co-PIs:  Leah O’Brien and Susan Wiediger)

M.S. Thesis/Final Papers Directed:

  • Issa Isaac, M.S. in Chemistry, “Preparation and Characterization of a Hollow Cathode Sputter Source.”  Thesis defense December 22, 1992.
  • William Goldkamp, M.S. in Environmental Science, “Extraction of Uranium from Contaminated Soils at the Weldon Spring Quarry."  Thesis defense January 27, 1994.
  • Cheryl Kelley, M.S. in Environmental Science, "Policy Changes Needed to Increase the Degree of Plastic Recycling." Final paper defense May 6, 1994.
  • Ryan Kubicek, M.S. in Chemistry, “High Resolution Spectroscopy of Copper Monoxide.”  Thesis defense May 4, 1995.
  • Douglas Koch, M.S. in Chemistry, “Rotational Analysis of the Y 2Σ+ - X 2Π3/2 Transition of Copper Monoxide.”  Thesis defense July 26, 1995.
  • Diane Maijer, M.S. in Environmental Science, “Use of Bioremediation as a Means of Cleanup of Groundwater Contaminated with Gasoline.”  Final paper defense October 7, 1995.
  • Susan Wall, M.S. in Chemistry, “Spectroscopy of Silver Oxide.”  Thesis defense July 30, 1997.
  • Sinan Tumturk, M.S. in Chemistry, “Spectroscopy of NiCl:  Identification of the [9.1] 4Π3/2 State.”  December 2003. 
  • Corey Rice, M.S. in Chemistry, “Spectroscopy of NiCl:  Identification of the X 2Π1/2 State.”  Thesis defense January 12, 2004.
  • Sarah Hardimon, M.S. in Chemistry, “Spectroscopy of AuO.”  Final paper defense April 28, 2004.
  • Krystal Gibbs, M.S. in Chemistry, “Fourier Transform Spectroscopy:  Identification of the [15.0] 2Δ5/2 State and the [10.3] 4Φ7/2 State.”  May 2006.
  • Benjamin Hicks, M.S. in Chemistry, “Analysis of Nitroaromatic and Nitramine Explosives by HPLC/APCI/MS/MS.”  Final paper defense December 5, 2007.
  • Hui Liu, M.S. in Chemistry, in progress (anticipated 8/08).

SIUE Undergraduate Researchers:

Beverley Collins

Barbara Storey

Theodore Kocot

Ryan Kubicek

Colette Gates

Tim Bauer

Beh-Deh Chow

Diane Graves

Jean O'Rourke

Rebecca Friend

Craig Rathget

Susan Wall

Tim Albers

Maryann Sieber

Genelle Henry

April Elliott

Taneil Shoquist

Teneil Kellerman

Amanda Lambeth

Kristy Homann

Corey Rice

Sarah Hardimon

Michael Blair

Barthemeaus Owen

DaVonne Palmer

Anne Oberlink

Darci Trader

Brad Borchert

Jeremy Wood

 

 

 

Teaching:

A complete listing of courses taught by semester, enrollments, syllabi, examinations, handouts and student evaluation summaries are available.  Supervised research and thesis courses are not listed.  Teaching related grants are listed under “External Funding” and “Internal Funding.”  Teaching related publications are listed under “Publications.”

  • General Chemistry (Chemistry 121a,b):  two-semester sequence, 4 lecture hrs/wk
  • General Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry 125a,b):  two-semester sequence, 3 laboratory hrs/wk.
  • Contemporary Chemistry (Chemistry 111): 3 lecture/activity hrs/wk, for non-science majors.
  • Physical Chemistry (Chemistry 361a,b):  two-semester sequence, 3 lecture hrs/wk.
  • Physical Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry 365a,b):  two-semester sequence, 4 laboratory hrs/wk.
  • Advanced Physical Chemistry (Chemistry 561): graduate level, 3 lecture hrs/wk.
  • Special Topics in Physical Chemistry (Chemistry 569):  Symmetry and Group Theory, 3 lecture hrs/wk.

Teaching-Related Accomplishments

  • Part of a team that developed the Senior Assignment program for Chemistry.  Developed and initiated the Poster Presentations, and incorporated Poster Presentation training in Chem 365a. 
  • Received NSF-ILI funding to obtain a laser system for Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1991).  This has resulted in two new experiments and two publications in the Journal of Chemical Education.  Co-PI on a NSF-ILI grant to purchase the UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrometers (1993).  Co-PI on a NSF-CCLI grant to purchase microscopy instrumentation (2007).
  • Coordinated first multi-media instructional technologies EUE grant for the School of Sciences.  Purchased two computer systems, SL3330 projector, VCR, laser disc player, and video display (ELMO).
  • Supported chemistry course development and special projects with over 14 EUE grants (>$162,000).
  • Two Undergraduate Research Academy students (Teneil Kellerman and Amanda Lambeth).

Workshops and Professional Development in Teaching: (only non-SIUE workshops are listed)

  • "The Use of Animals as Substitutes for Humans in Oral Bioavailability Studies," Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Association, June 28-29 1989, Washington, D.C.
  • "HPLC Method Development for Chiral Separations," Pittsburgh Conference Short Course, March 20 1990, New York.
  • "Chemistry for Nonscience Majors:  The American Chemical Society's Curriculum  Chemistry in Context," NSF Chautauqua Short Course for College Teachers, March 24-26 1994, Seattle, WA.
  • "Promoting Reflective Thinking in Science Classes," NSF Chautauqua Short Course for College Teachers, March 16-18 1995, San Francisco, CA.
  • “History of Women and Minorities in Sciences,” NSF Chautauqua Short Course for College Teachers, May 16-18 2002, Washington, DC.
  • “Genius,” NSF Chautauqua Short Course for College Teachers, May 15-18 2005, New York, NY.
  •  “Coaching Women in Negotiation and Leadership,” Committee On the Advancement of Women Chemists Workshop (COaCH), August 27, 2005 (Washington, DC).
  •  “The Chemistry of Leadership: A Women’s Leadership Development Program” Committee On the Advancement of Women Chemists Workshop (COaCH),   April 5, 2008 (New Orleans, LA).

Service:

Over the course of my 17+ years at Southern Illinois University, I have served on every Department committee and numerous College and University committees. Major committee work includes:

  • University Planning and Budget Council (3 years)
  • University Senate -- member and Executive Council member (3 years)
  • Faculty Search Committees (several)
  • Dean Search Committee 2006, School of Engineering
  • Department Graduate Adviser
  • Department Graduate Committee Chair
  • University Committee on Assessment (6 years)
  • Undergraduate Program Reviewer and Committee Chair for AY 2000 review of Mechanical Engineering
  • R&D Committee, Graduate School (6 years)
  • SRF review subcommittee, Graduate School (2 years)
  • Arts and Issues Series Board Member, CAS (4 years)

Professional Service Highlights:

  • Reviewer for Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy; research manuscripts.
  • Reviewer for Division of Chemistry, National Science Foundation; (a) research proposals submitted to Experimental Physical Chemistry program, and (b) site-reviewer (1x) for NSF-supported laboratory (Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Caltech).
  • Review Panel Member (2x) and Panel Chairperson (1x) for Division of Undergraduate Science, Engineering and Mathematics Education, National Science Foundation; proposals submitted to the Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement (NSF-ILI) program.
  • Review Panel Member for Small Business Innovative Research Program (8x), National Science Foundation.
  • 2003 Section Chair, St. Louis Section – American Chemical Society (ACS).
  • 1999-present ACS Midwest Award Committee Chair, St. Louis Section - ACS.
  • 1997-present Women Chemists Committee Chair, St. Louis Section – ACS. 
  • Guest Scientist at St. Ann Elementary School.  Activities and demos for approximately two classes per year, plus judge for Science Fair projects.