Alexey Leontyev, NDSU assistant professor of chemistry, has been selected as a 2022 recipient of the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Environmental Improvement Award for Incorporating Sustainability into Chemistry Education.
Leontyev’s project, “Development and Assessing the Impact of Student Generated Videos, Infographics and Open Education Resources Related to Sustainability and Green Chemistry,” was recognized for exemplary contributions to incorporating sustainability into chemical education.
“Receiving this award recognizes that my work on integrating green chemistry into the curriculum is noticed and deemed worthy by other members of the professional society,” Leontyev said. “I am honored to receive the award that I was selected among many people in the green chemistry community who are bringing green chemistry to their classrooms. I hope to continue my efforts on introducing sustainability and the transformation of biomass into chemistry classes at NDSU, which is especially important to us at NDSU because key commodities from North Dakota include sugar beets and corn.”
Leontyev is scheduled to present his work at the award symposium during the American Chemistry Society meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, in March 2023.
He was nominated for the honor by Gregory Cook, professor and chair of chemistry and biochemistry, and Kimberly Wallin, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics.
“Dr. Leontyev has developed a project-based learning approach to promote student engagement in sustainable chemistry. He has incorporated engaging projects that bring together topical learning, communication, social media and feedback,” the nominators said. “Dr. Leontyev has established a foundation at NDSU for green chemistry and sustainability education. He has been successful in developing several projects that promote the engagement of students making significant impacts in education.”
Leontyev joined the NDSU faculty in 2018. His research areas are assessment practices in organic and green chemistry education and meta-analyses of instructional innovations. He regularly teaches large enrollment organic chemistry classes and coordinates organic labs, where he implements green chemistry experiments.
Leontyev earned his doctorate in chemistry education at the University of Northern Colorado.
He is a member of the leadership committee for the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community. In addition, Leontyev is a co-director of the Green Chemistry REU program at NDSU and assessment consultant for the Green and Sustainable Chemistry Education Module Development Project. He also received NDSU’s 2022 Peltier award for innovation in teaching.
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