Gina Mancini-Samuelson PhD

Gina Mancini-Samuelson PhD
  • Professor
  • Chemistry: Biochemistry - BS (CFW only) Professor
Professor Gina Mancini-Samuelson earned her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Minnesota. She has been teaching at St. since 1996 where her primary teaching responsibilities are the analytical chemistry courses and the general chemistry for health sciences course. In 2008 she was recognized for outstanding teaching through the Teaching Excellence Award sponsored by the Myser Family Foundation, a great honor as nomination for this award comes from St. alumna. She has directed over 20 undergraduate research projects ranging from analytical chemistry and materials science to environmental science. Her recent area of inquiry focuses on exploring the chemical properties of the novel nanomaterial graphene oxide and suspensions of reduced derivatives through spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. In 2012 she received a grant for a sabbatical from the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network - Laboratory Experiences for Faculty funded by the National Science Foundation to collaborate with Professor Andre Mkhoyan in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota where she was first introduced to the nanomaterial graphene oxide and its intriguing properties. She brought this scholarly focus back to her laboratory and along with undergraduate student researchers has presented their findings on “greener” methods for preparing and characterizing stable graphene oxide derivatives at American Chemical Society and National Council of Undergraduate Research national conferences from 2015-2020. Her scholarly interests intersect with science curriculum development. Professor Mancini-Samuelson co-authored a paper with Professor Tony Murphy published in 2012 in the Journal of College Science Teaching describing the process of creating an interdisciplinary collaborative with STEM and Education Departments. She presented this work at the National Science Teachers Association, Association of American Colleges and Universities, and Materials Research Society conferences in 2011 and 2012. Her presentation at the 2012 Materials Research Society National Conference titled “Using Nanoscience as a Theme for Capstone Projects in an Elementary Education Majors Course” was awarded best paper in symposium. She has experience developing engaging courses, curriculum, and laboratory experiences. In 2020 she developed a course module for chemistry on the meso- and nanoscales along with a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) for the advanced analytical chemistry course. In 2004 she was awarded a National Science Foundation grant to develop interdisciplinary case studies for the quantitative analysis laboratory and a series of projects for the advanced analytical chemistry laboratory. For each class, a laboratory manual was created and assessed. These manuals continue to be used in their respective courses. Her work on this project was presented at the 2006 and 2007 national Project Kaleidoscope meetings, the 2006 national American Chemical Society meeting, and the inaugural Inclusive Science Conference held at St. in 2008. She has also developed curriculum for and taught Chemistry of Life, Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytical Chemistry courses.  Professor Mancini-Samuelson’s leadership includes serving as the chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at St. from 2005-2011 and member or chair of the university’s Curriculum and Policies Committee from 2013-2019. She was elected to the School of Humanities, Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee for the term 2020-2023. She served as a co-chair for the campus STEM Integration team to promote STEM faculty collaboration from 2011-2019. Professor Mancini-Samuelson continues to serve as the treasurer of the Mercury Chapter of Iota Sigma Pi honor society, a role she has had since 2004. She served as a board member for the Minnesota Academy of Science from 2009-2015. Additionally, she is a member of Project Kaleidoscope and the American Chemical Society.