Meet Seth Blackwell, a graduate student at UNL who is doing research with Dr. Gerard Harbison and working as a TA with the Chemistry Department.  Seth was recently given the Citation for Excellence in Teaching Chemistry Award by UNL’s Department of Chemistry. Seth’s ability to connect with his students and his mentoring skills were quickly recognized by Resource Center administrators and faculty.

“I am very honored to receive this award, and I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had to be a teaching assistant for the Chemistry Department. I look forward to more opportunities to teach, as it will continue to build my experience in preparation for a career in academia,” commented Seth regarding his award.

When Seth isn’t busy doing TA duties, he’s working hard in the lab.  Seth’s research is focused on theoretical and experimental nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in the gas-phase. The primary project he is working on is the spin-rotation interaction in acetylene gas. They are currently modifying a two-dimensional NMR experiment to study this relaxation mechanism.

“Overall, I truly enjoy physical chemistry because it is such a fundamental realm of science. Within this, I am most interested in the quantum mechanics of atoms and molecules, which is incredibly fascinating,” commented Seth about his research.

“The UNL Department of Chemistry has been invaluable to my development in teaching and researching. I have learned an incredible amount through the experience, and it continues to increase. The Department has all the resources one would need, and I enjoy the positive learning atmosphere. I thoroughly value the opportunity to guide and educate students and to explore research pursuits. After graduation, I plan to seek a career in academia. UNL has and continues to guide and equip me with the skills and expertise to obtain those goals.”

Additional Accomplishments:

Freed-Hardeman Honors College

• Elected Senior Representative on 2012-2013 Honors Council
• Presenter at 2012 & 2013 Tennessee Collegiate Honors Conference

American Chemical Society Chapter at Freed-Hardeman University

• President of Club Spring 2012 - Spring 2013
• Established Club as a National Chapter of ACS
• Vice President of Club from Fall 2010 - Fall 2011

If you’re interested in graduate school and love the idea of being a teaching assistant like Seth, check out our application page.