Richard Gurney

Dr. Gurney, Professor and Co-Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Simmons University is an expert in the field of Green Chemistry Education, where he has been actively developing curricula since 2001. He focuses his teaching and research on the applications of green chemistry and finding solutions for everyday problems using materials that are "benign by design," and the research and development of research-integrated undergraduate curricula.

As the Principal Investigator and Director of the Undergraduate Laboratory Renaissance Program, funded by the W. M. Keck Foundation and the National Science Foundation, Dr. Gurney studied the effectiveness of an entirely project-based, research-integrated, greener, organic chemistry laboratory experience as one component of a completely re-engineered, undergraduate laboratory curriculum. Dr. Gurney is also highly active in the development of greener polymeric systems capable of closed-loop molecular recycling, Dr. Gurney's research has been funded by the NSF OISE (#1031394), the Semiconductor Research Corporation Educational Alliance-Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, the W. M. Keck Foundation, the Presidential Fund for Faculty Excellence at Simmons College.

Dr. Gurney is one of the ten founding faculty Board Members for the Green Chemistry Commitment. Currently, Dr. Gurney is the Director of the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs), and is leading the development and delivery of Simmons Mentored Assistantships in Research Training - a competency-based, undergraduate research program in STEM, providing undergraduate research opportunities through a tiered mentoring approach for undergraduates at Simmons University. 

Dr. Gurney was nominated for the SAB by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.