Chemist Couple to Give First Ever Dual Harrington Lecture Oct 24
Berry and May, who are also married, will speak on “Lanthanides, Lasers, and the Liberal Arts.” In this lecture, they will present an overview of their individual research in luminescent nanomaterials and provide a personal perspective on the role of research at a liberal arts institution. The lecture takes place on Thursday, Oct. 24, at Farber Hall in Old Main at 7:30 p.m.
Mary Berry received her Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Virginia with a specialization in lanthanide spectroscopy. In 1991 she joined the chemistry faculty at USD, where she has remained for the last 28 years. During that time Berry served as the chair of chemistry, director of the PhotoActivated Nanoscale Systems collaborative and currently serves as vice president for research and sponsored programs. Berry’s current research area is in mathematical modeling of upconversion dynamics and of nanocrystal growth mechanisms.
Stanley May earned his Ph.D. in physical inorganic chemistry from the University of Virginia in 1988. He joined the faculty in the Department of Chemistry in 1994, where he currently holds the rank of professor. He was director of one of the first S.D. Governors Research Centers, which focused on light-activated materials. He is currently the associate director of the Center for Security Printing and Anti-Counterfeiting Technology, which is a research collaborative involving scientists and engineers from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and South Dakota State University. His expertise is in laser spectroscopy, plasmonics, electronic structure of metal ions, and nanotechnology. May’s current research interest is in basic and applied research in the synthesis and characterization of novel photonic nanomaterials.
Named in 1966 in honor of Elbert Harrington, professor of speech and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences (1945-1970), the lecture is an annual event featuring a distinguished professor with long-standing service to the College of Arts & Sciences. Each year a faculty committee in Arts & Sciences recommends to the dean the name of a faculty member to deliver the Harrington Lecture. The faculty member must be a teacher and scholar, and the lecture must be non-technical, blending insight into liberal education with the faculty member’s work as a scholar. A reception will be held immediately following the lecture.
