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Jessica L. Smeltz

Associate Professor | Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Interim Department Head | Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Contact Information

jsmeltz@fit.edu
(321) 674-8572
F.W. Olin Physical Sciences, 102

Expertise

Organometallic chemistry, catalysis, reaction mechanisms, reaction kinetics

Personal Overview

Assocaite Professor and Interim Department Head, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Dr. Smeltz was born and raised in Pennsylvania and completed her undergraduate studies at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. She received her Ph.D. from North Carolina State University in Organometallic Chemistry under the direction of Dr. Elon Ison in 2013. That same year, Dr. Smeltz went back to Millersville University as a Visiting Assistant Professor before joining the faculty at Florida Tech in 2014.

Educational Background

2013 Ph.D. in Chemistry North Carolina State University; Raleigh, NC

2008 B.S. Honors in Chemistry Millersville University of Pennsylvania; Millersville, PA

Professional Experience

August 2020 – Present - Chemistry Program Chair

Florida Institute of Technology; Melbourne, FL

May 2020 – May 2021 - Program Chair for Online Science

Florida Institute of Technology; Melbourne, FL

August 2017 – Present - Assistant Professor of Chemistry

        Florida Institute of Technology; Melbourne, FL

August 2017 – August 2022 - Director of the Chemistry Resource Center

Florida Institute of Technology; Melbourne, FL

August 2014 – August 2017 - Instructor of Chemistry

Florida Institute of Technology; Melbourne, FL

August 2013 – May 2014 - Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Millersville University of Pennsylvania; Millersville, PA

Current Courses

  • CHM 1101 General Chemistry 1 lecture (honors and non-honors)
  • CHM 1102 General Chemistry 2 lecture (honors and non-honors)
  • CHM 1111/1112 Laboratory Coordinator
  • General Chemistry 1 and 2 Supplemental Instructor Coordinator
  • EDS 1021 – General Physical Science (Florida Tech Online)
  • Faculty Supervisor for Florida Tech Pre-College Pathway Program

Selected Publications

  • Perez, D. E.; Smeltz, J. L.; Sommer, R. D.; Ison, E. A. “Cationic Rhenium(III) Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity for Hydrosilylation of Aldehydes.” Dalton Trans., 2017, 46, 4609.
  • Robbins, L. K.; Lilly, C. P.; Smeltz, J. L.; Boyle, P. D.; Ison, E. A. “Synthesis and Reactivity of Oxorhenium(V) Methyl, Benzyl, and Phenyl Complexes with CO: Implications for a Unique Mechanism for Migratory Insertion.” Organometallics, 2015, 34, 3152.
  • Liu, S.; Senocak, A.; Smeltz, J. L.; Yang, L.; Wegenhart, B.; Yi, J.; Hilkka I. Kenttamaam H. I.; Ison, E. A.; Abu-Omar, M. M. “Mechanism of MTO-Catalyzed Deoxydehydration (DODH) of Diols to Alkenes.” Organometallics, 2013, 32, 3210.
  • Smeltz, J. L.; Lilly, C. P.; Boyle, P. D.; Ison, E. A. “The Electronic Nature of Terminal Oxo Ligands in Transition Metal Complexes: Ambiphilic Reactivity of Oxorhenium Species.” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2013, 135, 9433.
  • Smeltz, J. L.; Boyle, P. D.; Ison, E. A. “Role of Low-Valent Re Species in Catalytic Hydrosilylation Reactions with Oxorhenium Catalysts.” Organometallics, 2012, 31, 5994.
  • Smeltz, J. L.; Webster, C. E.; Ison, E. A. “Computational Investigation of the Mechanism for the Activation of CO by Oxorhenium Complexes.” Organometallics, 2012, 31, 4055.
  • Smeltz, J. L.; Boyle, P. D.; Ison, E. A. “Mechanism for the Activation of CO via Oxorhenium Complexes.” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2011, 133, 13288.

Recognition & Awards

2022 The Kerry Bruce Clark Award for Excellence in Teaching

2020 Florida Tech Most Valuable Panther

2020 Florida Tech Student Government Association: “Professor of the Year BCES”

2019 Selected by Florida Tech’s Teaching Council for Series: “What’s Your Teaching Philosophy?”

2018 Phi Eta Sigma Excellence in Teaching Award, FIT

2016 Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society “Outstanding Four-Year College Teacher Award”

2016 Phi Eta Sigma Excellence in Teaching Award, FIT

2015 Phi Eta Sigma Excellence in Teaching Award, FIT

2012 Caitlin J. Muddiman Outstanding Research Award, NCSU

2012 Inorganic Division Outstanding Research Award, NCSU

2011 Caitlin J. Muddiman Outstanding Research Award, NCSU

2010 Inorganic Division Outstanding Research Award, NCSU

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