Robyn E. Hannigan | |
|---|---|
| Hannigan in 2019 | |
| 19th President of Ursinus College | |
| In office July 1, 2022 –October 23, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Brock Blomberg |
| Scientific career | |
| Alma mater | University of Rochester SUNY Buffalo The College of New Jersey |
| Fields | Earth Science Environmental Science Geology Biology |
| Institutions | Ursinus College Clarkson University University of Massachusetts Boston National Science Foundation Arkansas State University |
| Thesis | Trace and major elements in sedimentary and igneous processes:REE geochemistry of black shales and MORB and major element chemical variations in plume-generated basalts (1997) |
| Doctoral advisor | Asish Basu |
Robyn Ellen Hannigan is an American academic in the field of science,and an inventor and entrepreneur. She was the 19th president [1] of Ursinus College in Collegeville,Pa.,having previously served as the provost of Clarkson University. [2]
Hannigan and her colleagues have developed four patents and technologies,including one which resolved an analytical chemistry instrument communication issue,and another which was a medical application technology. [3] [4] [5]
Hannigan grew up in New Jersey. Her mother was a member of the Narragansett Nation. [6] As a young person,she was an enthusiastic but unsuccessful science student,receiving a D grade in her biology class. [6] Her parents insisted that she attend college,and she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from The College of New Jersey,despite being a reluctant student. [6] After working for her local health department after graduation,she found that she wanted to pursue higher education. [6]
She went on to receive Master of Arts in geology from SUNY Buffalo,and a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Rochester. [7]
Hannigan's previous positions include Founding Dean,School for the Environment,University of Massachusetts Boston;Program Officer,Division of Biological Infrastructure,National Science Foundation; [2] Graduate Program Director,Environmental Science Graduate Program,Arkansas State University;Co-founder and Chief Science Officer,GeoMed Analytical,Boston,Mass.;and co-founder and Chief Science Officer,Hyphenated Solutions,State University Arkansas. She has also held faculty appointments as a professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston and Arkansas State University. [7]
Hannigan is the co-inventor of four patents:Peltier-cooled cryogenic laser ablation cell, [8] Detection of a component of interest with an ultraviolet laser and method of using the same, [9] Oral fluid assays for the detection of heavy metal exposure, [10] and Universal transfer apparatus and method to use same. [11]
Hannigan is a Fellow [12] of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2010),a Fellow of the Geological Society of America (2008), [13] a recipient of the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences from the American Chemical Society (2007), [14] and a Fellow of the Aldo Leopold Leadership Program (2001). [15]
Hannigan is excited by the prospect of developing her own company, GeoMed Analytical.