Dr. Michael Messina
University of NC at Wilmington
Dr. Michael Messina's primary interests are physical and theoretical chemistry, including quantum chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, and statistical mechanics.
He teaches courses at all levels and is equally successful engaging students in large undergraduate sections and one-on-one in the laboratory. He develops original books for each course he teaches, and, although familiar with and proficient in the use of the newer educational technologies, he finds that the 'old' strategies, including knowing the students' names, taking attendance, and "chalk-blackboard lectures" which have been "painstakingly honed . . . to teach chemical concepts in the clearest way possible," work best for him.
A colleague, who calls Dr. Messina's connection with students "unparalleled in the department, both in teaching and research," writes, "When he first joined our faculty as a theoretical chemist I was concerned that he would not attract undergraduate research students. Quickly, I became concerned he would not leave any for the rest of us." Another colleague, referring to Dr. Messina's success in teaching Physical Chemistry, "the most rigorous class any undergraduate at any institution will take during their collegiate career," writes, "Not only does he make the material accessible to his students he performs the almost herculean task of making it an interesting and enjoyable experience. Students will choose this class as an elective even when it is not a major requirement which is unheard of in this field."
Believing that "chemistry majors might be more interested in science than the average, but on the whole they are not smarter than the average," he introduces new chemical concepts with explanations which have passed his 'person on the street test': Can a person of average intellect and no scientific background understand the rudiments of the concept with this explanation? He revises each lecture until the answer to that question is "yes." And his students clearly respond to his lectures and labs, consistently placing him in the "Top Fifth" across university, college, and department results in their evaluation of teaching.
The selection committee noted in particular his well-organized class materials containing "clear objectives and learning outcomes... [and] helpful information for students to do well in his classes," his "remarkable record of involving students in his research," and his skill and success in "tying together UNCW's teaching and research goals." In fact, Dr. Messina identifies two teaching venues, the classroom and the research laboratory. Over the past 16 years he has mentored 71 UNCW undergraduate researchers in his lab; 27 of them have had their name on a peer-reviewed research publication in chemistry journals, 42 have pursued graduate degrees, and three are now professors of chemistry at other universities.
At UNCW since 1996, Professor Messina has received a Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award and a Distinguished Teaching Professorship from UNCW and the Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, a prestigious chemistry discipline national award with an unrestricted research grant of $60,000.
He received a baccalaureate from State University of New York at Stony Brook and a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh.