Barbara Reisner and Joanne Stewart Honored for Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry Teaching

Dr. Reisner

Barbara Reisner, professor of inorganic and materials chemistry at James Madison University in Virginia, and Joanne Stewart, the Elmer Hartgerink Professor of Chemistry at Hope College in Michigan, have received the 2024 James Flack Norris Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Chemistry from the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society.

Dr. Reisner and Dr. Stewart, along with their colleague Adam Johnson, professor at Harvey Mudd College, were honored for creating the Interactive Online Network of Inorganic Chemists, a supportive community for inorganic chemistry faculty members. The network has enhanced the teaching of chemistry through providing its members with the opportunity to collaborate on workshops, webinars, and research.

Dr. Reisner has served on the James Madison University faculty since 2000. Her academic interests center around the synthesis and characterization of inorganic materials. She also conducts extensive research into chemistry education, studying how changes in the classroom can affect student learning, interest, and motivation.

Dr. Reisner holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dr. Stewart

Since 1988, Dr. Stewart has taught courses on general, inorganic, and organometallic chemistry at Hope College. She has held several positions during her long tenure, including chair of the department of chemistry and faculty representative to the board of trustees. Currently, her research focuses on teaching and learning in inorganic chemistry, specifically how faculty can learn to become effective teachers.

Dr. Stewart holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Kalamazoo College in Michigan and a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley