Deborah Aruguete, Ph.D.

Previous Experience

• Review Panelist, Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program, Golden, CO, 2014
• Associate Program Director, National Science Foundation Division of Earth Sciences, Arlington, VA, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
• Associate Project Director, Virginia Tech Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, Blacksburg, VA, 2010, 2011
• Postdoctoral Research Scientist, (NSF Postdoctoral Fellow 2006-2009), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
• Visiting Research Scientist, (NSF East Asian Pacific Sumer Institute program participant), Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea, 2006
• Graduate Student Research Assistant, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
• Graduate Student Research Assistant, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 1999
• Research Intern, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 1999
• Intern, Mannheim Program for Bilingual Careers, Mannheim, Germany, 1998, 1999
• Argonne National Laboratory Research Intern, Argonne, IL, 1998, 1999
• Intern, NSF undergraduate program, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, 1999

Honors and Awards

• US National Academics Young Observers for International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), 2013 - represented US at IUPAC General Assembly, Istanbul, Turkey.
• National Science Foundation Minority Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2006.
• Nation Science Foundation East Asian Pacific Summer Institute Fellowship, 2006.
• National Science Foundation Minority Graduate Fellowship, 1998.
• Phi Beta Kappa Society of Chicago, 1998.
• University of Chicago Richter Grant, 1997.
• University of Chicago Dean's List, 1994-1998.

Teaching

Teaching Goals

My overall aim in my courses is enabling students to take the concepts they learn beyond problem sets in the classroom. I want them to be able to see how couse material connects to multiple aspects of their lives and future careers. I want to enable them to apply concepts from my classes to problem solving in any applicable context. I see my position as one of helping to provide skills that can be useful for them for the rest of their lives. 

Teaching Specialties and Interests

• Environmental: Environment (geo)chemistry and analysis, Biogeochemistry and Geomicrobiology, General geochemistry, and Nanomaterials in the Environment.
• Chemistry: Materials Chemistry, General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Introductory Organic Chemistry.
• Special topics: Science communication, Sustainable Chemistry, Introduction to Nanosciences, and Nanotechnology.

Service

• Adviser and reviewer for NSF East Asian Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) South Korea program, 2011, 2012, 2013.
• Virginia Tech International Friendship Program host, 2009 (teach international students about American culture, assist with daily life).
• Co-chair for American Geophysical Union meeting, Environmental Nanomaterials, 2007.
• UC Berkeley Mental Health Advisory Committee, 2005-2006, (advised university health workers and professors about student mental health).