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Jennifer Sorensen, PhD
Teaching Professor
Environmental Science Affiliate
Biography
Dr. Jen Sorensen received a BS in Chemistry from Fairfield University and a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the Computational Center for Molecular Structure and Design at the University of Georgia, where she studied small-molecule novel drug candidates targeting NMDA receptors with Dr. J. Phillip Bowen. Her work with Dr. Norman L. Allinger contributed to the refinement of the classical molecular modeling program MM3. She also completed graduate work in Science Education while at UGA, which was the genesis of her dual interests in chemistry and teacher education. Dr. Sorensen was a Fulbright Scholar at the Technical University of Budapest where she used ab initio methods to study phosphinoboranes. She joined the SU chemistry faculty in 2000, and from 2005-2014 served as director of the general science and environmental science programs.
Curriculum Vitae
Courses Taught
Teaching and Research Interests
Dr. Sorensen teaches courses in introductory and general chemistry, environmental chemistry, and senior research, and she has a particular interest in working with non-science majors and pre-service science teachers. Her scholarship focuses on active learning strategies and curriculum design for students training to become science teachers. She was a science team leader for the Washington State College Readiness Project, and a core member of the Clinical Practice working group for the NSF-funded NextGen-WA STEM Teacher Preparation Project.