Biography
Dr. Dave Pursell joined the GGC faculty in 2007 from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was the Executive Director of Penn Chemistry. Pursell served as GGC’s Associate Dean of Science and Technology from 2007 until 2010, when he returned to full-time faculty duties. He has taught college courses in all areas of chemistry, environmental law, military strategy and advanced technologies in military operations. For 25 years, Pursell served worldwide as a U.S. Army combat engineer, with key assignments as company commander at Fort Drum, NY, battalion operations officer on the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ), speechwriter for a three-star general, tactics faculty at the Army's staff college, and chemistry faculty at the U.S. Military Academy.
Education
- Doctorate - chemical physics - University of Pennsylvania
- Master - chemistry - Lehigh University
- Master - science education - Lehigh University
- Bachelor - engineering - United States Military Academy at West Point
Academic Interests
- Chemistry Research. The Pursell research group investigates the GGC campus ecosystem using analytical, organic, physical, and instrumental chemistry methods.
- Chemical Education. Developing methods of engaging 21st century students to enable their development as independent, responsible learners who contribute to their profession and community.
Publications
- “Engaging Science Students with Handheld Technology and Applications by Re-Visiting the Thayer Method of Teaching and Learning,” Julia Paredes, Richard L. Pennington, David P. Pursell, Joseph C. Sloop*, Mai Yin Tsoi, Georgia Journal of Science, 2010, 68, 186-195.
- “Engaging Science Students with Wireless Technology and Applications by Re-Visiting the Thayer Method of Teaching and Learning,” Richard Pennington, David Pursell, Joseph Sloop. Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, 2010, 8, 5, 1-5.
- “Information Technology and Environmental Sustainability for a Higher Education Institution,” Anatoly Kurkovsky, David Pursell. Proceedings of the International Association of Science and Technology for Development, July 2010, 699-024.
- “Engaging Science Students with Wireless Technology and Applications by Revisiting the Thayer Method of Teaching and Learning,” Richard Pennington, David Pursell, Joseph Sloop. Proceedings of the International Multi-Conference on Complexity, Informatics and Cybernetics, April 2010, II, 303-308. Awarded best paper.
- “Adapting to student learning styles: using cell phone technology in organic chemistry instruction,” David P. Pursell. Journal of Chemical Education, 2009, 86, 1219-1222.
- “Enhancing Interdisciplinary, Mathematics, and Physical Science in an Undergraduate Life Science Program through Physical Chemistry,” David P. Pursell. Cell Biology Education-Life Sciences Education, 2009, 8, 15-28.
- “Adapting to student learning styles: using cell phone technology in undergraduate science instruction,” Richard Pennington, Deborah G. Sauder, Candace Timpte, Mai Yin Tsoi, Julia Paredes, David P. Pursell. Proceedings of International Multi-Conference on Engineering and Technological Innovation, June 2009, Engineering Concepts, Relations, and Methodologies, 3, 1-5. Awarded best paper.
- “Predicted versus Actual Performance in Undergraduate Organic Chemistry and Implications for Student Advising,” David P. Pursell. Journal of Chemical Education, 2007, 84, 1448-1453.
- “Chlorine Adsorption Induced Structure and Energetics Change of Vinyl Chloride Physisorbed on Ag(111)” David P. Pursell, John M. Vohs, and Hai-Lung Dai. Chemical Physics Letters, 2006, 432, 431-435.
- “Photochemistry of Vinyl Chloride Physisorbed on Ag(111) through Molecular Anion Formation Induced by Substrate Electron Attachment,” David P. Pursell and Hai-Lung Dai. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2006, 110, 10374-10382.
- “Adsorption Structure, Energetics, and Thermal Reactions of Vinyl Chloride on Ag(111),” David P. Pursell. Marie-Laure Bocque, John M. Vohs, Hai-Lung Dai, Surface Science, 2003, 522, 90-104.
- “Layer-by-layer Structures in Ultra-thin films of Aniline and Pyridine on a Ag(111) Surface,” M.C. Yang, T.J. Rockey, D. Pursell, and H.L. Dai. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2001, 105, 11945-11948.
Distinctions
- Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Excalibur Award, 2011, for Georgia companies and organizations demonstrating the best use of technology for challenges in business and education, for "Organic Chemistry and Smartphone Technology at Georgia Gwinnett College."
- Co-PI for USG STEM Initiative, GGC sub-award, “Reorienting the Undergraduate Organic Chemistry I Laboratory to Enhance Student Understanding of Structure, Function and Mechanism via Green Chemistry, Spectroscopy, Computational Chemistry and Stereochemistry,” $13,280, 2012.
- Co-PI for USG STEM Initiative, GGC sub-award, “Enhancing Research Skills and Attitudes in Undergraduate Organic Chemistry via Organic Synthesis,” $14,007, 2011.
- Co-PI for USG STEM II Initiative, “4-Year Undergraduate Research Experience,” $274,000, 2011, with renewable options for 5 years.
- PI for VP Seed Grant, “Chemical Analysis of Campus Ecosystem during Intense Construction Activity," $3,000, 2010.
- PI for VP Seed Grant, “Engaging Organic Chemistry Students with Handheld Technology and Applications by re-visiting the Thayer Method of Teaching and Learning,” $4,944, 2009.
- Georgia Gwinnett College Outstanding Scholarly and Creative Activities Award, 2009-2010
- Principle Investigator (PI) on National Science Foundation Grant Award CHE-0962729, $205,653, 2010-2013
- President of the West Point Masters Swim Club, 2001-2006