photo: Michael Kim

Ron Rusay (Biographical Sketch/ Curriculum Vitae .pdf)

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Diablo Valley College
Department of Chemistry
321 Golf Club Rd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

e-mail: rrusay@chemconnections.org

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Professional Experience:

• Professor Emeritus, Diablo Valley College (2021 to present)
• Professor, Diablo Valley College (1990 to 2020)
• Visiting Scholar, Tsinghua University, Department of Industrial Engineering, Beijing, China (August 2015)
• Visiting Scholar, University of California, Berkeley (1996 - 2009)
• Science Education Fellow, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (May, 2000 - 2009)
• Visiting Professor, Osaka College of High Technology, Osaka, Japan (May - July 1999)
• Guest Professor, Murmansk State University, Murmansk, Russia (May - June 1998)
• Chair, Department of Chemistry (1993 - 1996)
• Senior Product Manager, ICI (Zeneca / Syngenta), Fernhurst, England (1988 to 1990)
• Manager, Research and Development, Stauffer Chemical Company, Pacific Basin / Far East (1984 to 1988)
• Business Analyst, Stauffer Chemical Company, San Francisco, CA; Pacific Basin / Far East (1980 to 1984)
• Research Chemist, Stauffer Chemical Company, Richmond, CA (1976 to 1980)

  Professional Affiliations:

• SciComm: Science @ Cal, University of California Berkeley 2025
• EBMUD (East Bay Municipal Utility District) Community Water Academy 2024
• National Human Genome Research Institute (National Institutes of Health: NIH/ NHGRI), Educators' Genomics Short Course: 2022
• Global Climate Crisis Initiative 2021
• LibreTexts Project (formerly the ChemWiki/ STEMwikis): https://libretexts.org/
• Academic Senate for California Community Colleges; CORE / C-ID Reviewer: Chemistry course articulation & transfer between the California Community Colleges, California State Universities, and the University of California.
• SC-2002 : NCSA High Performance Networking and Computing, Educational Program
• National Science Foundation, panelist/chair: Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) Program
• Modular CHEMConsortium ,  University of California, Berkeley
• Colleges of Contra Costa: Chair, Instructional Technology Faculty Cluster (Chair, 1997 -  2002)
• MERLOT, (Multimedia Educational Resources for Learning and Online Teaching), Chemistry Editorial Board (2001 -  2002)
• Academic Senate for California Community Colleges: Technology Committee (1999 - 2001)
• Faculty Cluster for Instructional Technologies, Columbia University
• Two Year College Chemistry Consortium (2YC3): Conference organizer, program co-chair: "Nuts, Bolts and Notions in Teaching and Learning Chemistry" (March 2000).
• Reviewer:"Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology", Committee on Undergraduate Science Education, National Research Council,  (1999).
• Internet Consortium: (DVC/ UC Davis / Sacramento Basin Community Colleges)
• The American Chemical Society
• The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• The American Institute of Chemists

  Education:

• Ph.D Major: Organic Chemistry, Minor: Oceanography, Oregon State University (1973-1976), ACS Pre-doctoral Research Fellow
• M.S. Organic Chemistry, National Institutes of Health Research Assistant,Teaching Assistant, University of New Hampshire (1967-1969)
• B.A. Chemistry, University of New Hampshire (1963-1967)

  Publications / Presentations / Patents and Related:

• "Spies in Training", Contra Costa Community Library, Young Learners Program, STEM/Chemistry lesson, Concord Library, (November 2022)

• "Global Climate Crisis: Sustainable Teaching-Learning Resources", .mp4, California, Cal-OER 2021 Conference, Virtual (August 2021)

• "Innovative Learning Environments in STEM Higher Education", Contributor: Artifcial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Springer: Open Access (2021)

• "Open Education Resources Panel", Northern California Summit, Diablo Valley College (February 2019)

• "Alchemy to chemical science: The advance of texts for over 5,000 years in China from the oracle bones to e-learning resources and methodologies"; ACS National Meeting, Division of Chemical Information, (April 2017)

• "Innovative e-learning foundations for chemistry centered Science, Technology, Engineering, (Arts), Mathematics, STE(A)M": ACS National Meeting, Division of Chemical Education, (April 2017)

• "China: Behind the Wall": Diablo Valley College, Community Education (March 2017)

• 6th International UNESCO Cooperation Summit Forum October 21-24, 2016 Harbin, China
  

• "Tailoring non-science majors chemistry topics and activities as threads for weaving both STEM and Liberal Arts fabric": Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE), University of Northern Colorado (August 3, 2016)

• "Employing interactive, open educational resources (OER) in a non-science majors chemistry course and harnessing the functional and archival strengths of the ChemWiki/STEMwiki hyperlibraries": Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE), University of Northern Colorado (August 2, 2016)

• "Connecting & Innovating STEM Education": Tsinghua Maker’s Day (November 26, 2015)

• "eXtreme learning Process": ChemWiki/ STEMwikis (Faculty), STEM Connections & ALPs (Students & Faculty), Quantum Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Environmental Ecology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (August 14-25, 2015)

• “Committee Perspectives: The Academic Hiring Process: Interviews”, Panelist, Future Faculty Seminar, Career Transitions for Bioscientists: Applications in Academia, Stanford University, School of Medicine (June 17, 2015)

• “Committee Perspectives: The Academic Hiring Process: Applications & Networking”, Panelist, Future Faculty Seminar, Stanford University, School of Medicine (September 23, 2014)

• "The ChemWiki: A Free Online Substitute for Commercial Chemistry Textbooks", Delmar Larsen, Ronald Rusay, Gregory Allen, Alberto Guzman, Marco Molinaro, On-line Conference: American Chemical Society, Division of Chemical Education Committee on Computers in Chemical Education (2014)

• "The Times They are a-Changin': Constructing, Vetting, and Preserving Chemistry Content via the Communally Developed ChemWiki Project", Delmar Larsen, Ronald Rusay, Gregory Allen, Alberto Guzman, Marco Molinaro, Conference: Canadian Society for Chemistry, Vancouver, BC Canada (2014)

• “Publishing in Your Field: Components for Success”, Panelist, Future Faculty Seminar, Stanford University, School of Medicine (November 12, 2013)

• “On-line 3-D Molecular Exercises, Worksheets, and Problems for Lower Division College Chemistry”, http://chemconnections.org/COT/2YC3/2YC3-COT.htm; ACS Webinar: 196th Conference of the Two-Year College Chemistry Consortium (2YC3), (April 2012)

• “Development of Open-Access Molecular Models & Modeling Materials for Adaptation in Lower Division College Chemistry”, http://chemconnections.org/COT/COT-Presentation-11-17-11.htm, College Open Textbook Communities Webinar (November 2011)

• "Enhancing Undergraduate Chemistry Education with the Online Dynamic ChemWiki Resource", Ronald J. Rusay, Michelle R. McCombs, Matthew J. Barkovich, Delmar S. Larsen, Journal of Chemical Education, 88 (6), p 840 (2011). pdf

• "ChemWiki: The Dynamic Chemistry Textbook", http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/; A dynamic, open access, free textbook with accompanying instructional materials that serve as an alternative for or supplement to conventional paper-based textbooks.

• "Crystals for the Classroom", http://chemconnections.org/Presentations/ACS-2004/ACS-2004.htm; presentation as part of the Symposium: "Building Bridges to Understanding Chemistry through Innovation in Teaching and Education", George C. Pimentel Award in Chemical Education, Nicholas J. Turro, Columbia University. ACS -Division of Chemical Education, Anaheim meeting (March 2004)

• "Mathematical Modeling, Technology and Bridging to the Nano-realm in Teaching Undergraduate Chemistry"; http:/chemconnections.org/Presentations/AIT-presentation.htm; "Nanotechnology: a chemist’s constructivist view", http://chemconnections.org/Presentations/AIT-symposium.htm, AIT-CU / NSF: Workshop on Nano, Continuum, Material and Computational Mechanics, Asian Institute of Technology Bangkok, Thailand (December 11-12, 2003)

• "Crystals for the Classroom",  a teaching-learning module introducing students to the chemistry of crystals and solutions. Lessons in chemistry are embedded in issues relating to energy production, the science of nuclear energy, NIF (The National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) and the frontiers of research in nuclear fusion. http://crystals.llnl.gov/

2002 Dreyfus Foundation Award: http://www.dreyfus.org/sg02awards.shtml
 
• "Chemistry and the Environment: Global Warming", Merced College, (October 12, 2002)


• Learning Through Technology: LT² Technology in the Classroom
  http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/cl1/ilt/solution/solndis.htm#chemistry 

• "Musical Representations of the Fibonacci String and Proteins Using Mathematica", Erik Jensen, Ronald J. Rusay, The Mathematica Journal, Volume 8, Issue 2, 2001. http://www.mathematica-journal.com

 
• "Global Climate Change: Can we predict if our climate is changing?", Presentation, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: Science on Saturday, (March 17, 2001)

 
• "Merlot: A Vintage Worth Keeping?", Presentation, Macalaster College, (April 21, 2001)

 
• "The Digital Divide", Presentation, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, Fall Meeting, Los Angeles, CA  (October 27, 2000)

 
• Christopher G. Knudsen, David L. Lee, William J. Michaely, Hsiao-Ling Chin, Nhan H, Nguyen, Ronald J. Rusay, Thomas H. Cromartie, Reed Gray, Byron H. Lake, Torquil E. M. Fraser and David Cartwright, "Discovery of the Triketone Class of HPPD Inhibiting Herbicides and Their Relationship to Naturally Occurring beta-Triketones" ; Allelopathy in Ecological Agriculture and Forestry, Chapter 7, p. 101-112.  S. S. Narwal, R. E. Hoagland, R. H. Dilday and M. J. Reigosa eds.   Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2000.  ISBN 0-7923-6348-5

 
• "Implementing Multimedia Technology", Ron Rusay, Marco Molinaro, Presentation, Proceedings of the 151st meeting of the Two Year College Chemistry Consortium (2YC3), "Nuts, Bolts and Notions for Teaching and Learning Chemistry", (March 25, 2000)

 
• "Web-based Teaching Resources for the Enrichment and Enhancement of Chemistry", Presentation, Proceedings of the 151st meeting of the Two Year College Chemistry Consortium (2YC3), "Nuts, Bolts and Notions for Teaching and Learning Chemistry", (March 25, 2000)

 
• "Opportunities for Faculty and Students at LLNL”, Ron Rusay, Richard Farnsworth, Presentation, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, Spring Meeting, San Francisco, CA  (April 14, 2000)

 
• "E-Commerce and Higher Education: Salesmanship and Scholarship", Presentation, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, Fall Meeting, Los Angeles, CA  (November 5, 1999)

 
• "Technology in Education: Snake Oil or Scholarship?", Workshop, Sacramento Community College, (October, 1999)

• "Internet Resources for Chemistry Teachers", Workshop, Sacramento Community College, (August, 1999)

• "Musical Representations of the Fibonacci String and Proteins Using Mathematica", E. Jensen, R. J. Rusay, Abstract,/Paper,/ Presentation, International Mathematica Symposium (IMS 99), Hagenburg, Austria  (August, 1999)

 
• "Internet Resources: Universal Teaching and Learning Concepts with Specific Application to Chemistry", Presentation,TechEd '99, Ontario, CA,  (April 23, 1999)

 
• "Math-Music-Chemistry-Learning",  Presentation, Columbia University,  (November 9, 1998)

 
• "Pesticides: Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives", Ron Rusay,The Chemistry Place: http://www.chemplace.com/learning/pesticides/intro.html , Peregrine Publishers (September 16, 1998)

• "Innovations in teaching chemistry using the World Wide Web and web-based resources." ,Ron Rusay,  Nicholas J. Turro, Presentation, 15th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, University of Waterloo, Canada (August 11, 1998)

• "Some recents examples of Web-based resources developed for student centered learning", Presentation, Columbia University, (August 6, 1998)

• "Student Centered Active Learning in Chemistry using Visualizations and the WorldWideWeb", R. Rusay, B. Lindow,, Presentation,International Arctic Seminar (IAS'98 ), Murmansk State Technical University, Murmansk, Russia (May, 1998)

• RasMol: A Molecular Visualization/Conceptualization Tool", an appendix to: Principles of Chemistry in Biology (A Companion to Texts for Freshman Chemistry) Elizabeth C. Theil, editor, American Chemical Society, publisher, 0-8412-3506-6. R. Rusay, M. Molinaro, L. Smith. (June, 1998)

• "WEB-ster: A Collection of Web-based Resourcesfor Undergraduate Chemistry and Examples of its Applications", Presentation, Columbia University, (November, 1997)

• "Web Applications Workshop: The Chemistry Place", Presentation, DeAnza College, (October 30, 1997)

• WEB-ster's Organic Chemistry A Living Document of Internet Resources, Information and Applications, N.J. Turro and R.J. Rusay. (Launched: March 1997)

• Malathion, Medflies and Medicines Organic Chemistry Teaching Module (Description). L. Smith and R.J. Rusay.

• American Chemical Society, Presentation, April 1997 meeting (San Francisco), "Web-sters" Organic Chemistry, A collection of Internet resources for students of organic chemistry", N, J. Turro and R. J. Rusay

• American Chemical Society, Presentation, April 1997 meeting (San Francisco), "Malathion, Medflies and Medicines: An instructional module for the second semester organic chemistry course", L. Smith and R.J. Rusay

• "Visualization, Conceptualization and Active Learning", Gordon Research Conference: "Innovations in Teaching College Chemistry" (1996).

• "Interdisciplinary Approaches to Chemistry", Biennial Conference on Chemical Education", UC Davis (1992).

• "U.S./Japan Trade: Overcoming Invisible Market Barriers", Pacific Rim Conference, UC Berkeley (1987).

• U.S. Pat. 4,488,897 (1984)
• U.S. Pat. 4,227,919 (1981)
• U.S. Pat. 4,277,500 (1981)
• U.S. Pat. 4,202,840 (1980)
• U.S. Pat. 4,202,685 (1980)

• The Retro-ene reaction, Journal of Organic Chemistry (1977).

• Approaches to the Synthesis of Botryococcene, Proceedings of the NW section of the American Chemical Society (1976).

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  Web Pages:

STE(A)M, Arts, Humanities/ Musings:
Water
Global Warming & Your Carbon Footprint
"If Only ...."
Humanity HAS a QuarterBack
"TRUTH & Living for Today"
Wisdom haiku
B. E. Beppie
Aethelgard
Euler - Lagrange
Veterans Day:
aka Armistice Day/ Remembrance Day/ Memorial Day
"A Soldier's Prayer"
"Meditative RESILIENCE"
Gaslighting
Thanksgiving 2024
The Mighty Colbert
"Chiura Obata"
"Always Keep the Jet Ready & Close By"



29,220 ^th Daybreak, from Kailua Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
Evening, Kailua22: omakase (chef's choice)
Highlights from some of the best of the 29,220 Days!

Kevin Crane, "Humanity's Candle"

Africa:
http://chemconnections.org/Africa/

Patagonia:
http://chemconnections.org/Patagonia/

Yosemite:
http://chemconnections.org/Yosemite/

Music:
http://chemconnections.org/music/

Chemistry links (WEBsters):
http://chemconnections.org/Websters

Courses:

Introductory Chemistry Introductory Chemistry (Japan) Chemistry for non-Science Majors General Chemistry I General Chemistry II Organic Chemistry I Organic Chemistry II Independent Study (Undergraduate Research)

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Awards/Achievements:

Who's Who in America (2023/2024)
Who's Who Among America's Teachers (1996, 1997-98, 2004-2005)
Visiting Scientist, Industrial Research Institute, University of Puget Sound, Western Washington University
Sigma Xi, Honorary Science Society
American Men and Women of Science
Who's Who in the West
Who's Who in California
Model Multisensory Showcase Award (1998)

Associations :

American Chemical Society (ACS)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Contra Costa & Solano Food Bank, Board of Directors, (1992-1998), (2000 - 2002), Past President 1996-1997.
U.S. Army, O-2, Vietnam (1970-1971)