The College of Science warmly congratulates Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Staci Simonich on her new position as Associate Vice President for Research, effective January 1, 2018.
Joining OSU's faculty in 2001, Simonich was promoted to Full Professor in 2011 and has joint appointments in the College of Science's Department of Chemistry and the College of Agricultural Sciences' Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, where she served as Associate Department Head from 2015-17.
Highly respected and nationally recognized environmental chemist, Simonich's interdisciplinary research is focused on novel and improved analytical methods and techniques for studying the fate of semi-volatile organic contaminants in the atmosphere, aquatic, and terrestrial compartments. Her lab examines how these compounds move throughout the environment and transform during the application of various remediation technologies. They also investigate what implications the new products may present to the environment and its inhabitants.
Possessing strong experience in proposal development and project management, she has successfully acquired research funding throughout her career from National Science Foundation, NIH-National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Department of Defense, Proctor & Gamble and Dupont. Her research has been published in Science, Nature, Environmental Health Perspectives, Environmental Science & Technology, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, and the Journal of Geophysical Research.
Since February 2017, Simonich has led College of Science efforts to improve undergraduate student success and equalization by closing gaps in degree completion for Pell-eligible, first-generation and underrepresented students in science. She also helped identify and implement strategies to improve the academic, recruitment, retention, and co-curricular programs in the College while supporting diversity and inclusion by enhancing partnerships with LSAMP, SACNAS and STEM Leaders Program.
An exceptional teacher, Simonich has taught and mentored dozens of undergraduate and graduate students at OSU for more than 15 years. She has been honored for her outstanding scholarship and mentoring. She received the Impact Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Award, and University Mentoring and Professional Development Award.
An outstanding scholar and researcher, Simonich received the 2001 Roy F. Weston Environmental Chemistry Award by Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry for early to mid-career scientists who have accomplished and published outstanding contributions that have advanced the understanding or development of environmental systems, technologies, methodologies or other relevant research in the environmental sciences. In 2003, she received an NSF Career Award, the most prestigious award given to junior faculty members for outstanding and innovative research and the application of that research in university teaching and education.
Prior to joining OSU, Simonich worked in Procter & Gamble's consumer product division from 1995-2001. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and her Ph.D. in chemistry from Indiana University.
