AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY NAMES OU PROFESSOR AS AWARD RECIPIENT

Norman – Michael R. Abraham, David Ross Boyd Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma, recently was presented the American Chemical Society’s Award for Achievement in Research for the Teaching and Learning of Chemistry, sponsored by Pearson Education.

The $5,000 award recognizes outstanding contributions to experimental research that increases understanding of how to effectively teach chemistry to students and how to improve teaching and learning of chemistry.

In the OU College of Arts and Sciences Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Abraham directs research and educational programs in the instructional aspects of chemistry, or how people learn and are taught chemistry.  He also directs the doctoral program in chemical education, is an adjunct professor of science education and currently serves as director of the freshman chemistry program. 

Abraham received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Grinnell College, master’s degree in teaching from Emory University and doctoral degree in science education from Florida State University. 

He has taught science at all academic levels, from elementary school to college. 

Abraham’s current research and curriculum developments efforts are focused on the role of laboratory in learning science, student misconceptions of chemistry concepts and the effects of computer-generated animation on student visualization of atomic and molecular behavior.

The OU College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest, largest and most diverse college at the university and provides 61 percent of course hours to the university student body.  Visit their Web site at www.ou.edu/cas.