R. Carlisle Chambers, PhD
Professor of Chemistry
Research Interests
- Novel chemical systems for applications in nanotechnology and medicine
Carlisle Chambers started teaching at George Fox in 1994, and his appreciation for the mission of this community has only grown since then. He values a Christ-centered environment that encourages honest reflection, sincere seeking, and personal growth, and believes that the undergraduate liberal arts-based education at George Fox attempts to educate the whole person in preparation for a life of service.
Chambers loves chemistry, as it provides a wonderful way of understanding how our world works. He's intrigued by the detail, economy and complexity that is evident in the chemical basis of our world. However, he doesn't just love chemistry for the sake of learning the fundamental scientific principles of the universe. He also loves how chemistry equips one to solve important problems, and believes that a knowledge of chemistry provides creative opportunities to prepare novel chemical systems that address real-world issues.
Academic Background
BS, Chemistry, Milligan College (1986)
PhD, Inorganic Chemistry, Emory University (1992)
Expertise and Research Interests
Chambers' broad research interest is the preparation of novel chemical systems for applications in nanotechnology and medicine. His specific research projects involve the following areas: organic and inorganic compound synthesis and characterization; preparation of modified silver nanoparticles for antibacterial and anticancer applications; inorganic-organic hybrid polyoxometalate-based lyotropic liquid crystal systems; self-assembled monolayers for nanoscale electronic devices.
In addition to his doctoral research at Emory University, he also worked as a research associate at the University of Texas-Austin before coming to George Fox. All of his research work at George Fox involves undergraduate students.
He believes that research is a crucial component to the development of a young scientist, and he greatly enjoys joining students in the discovery and creation of knowledge. Students are involved in every facet of the research projects, including design of the experiments, the actual laboratory work, analysis of the data, and presentation of the results.
Select Research Bibliography
Peer Reviewed Book Chapters
R. Carlisle Chambers, "Oregon NMR Consortium: A collaboratory for NMR data acquisition and processing" NMR Spectroscopy in the Undergraduate Curriculum, American Chemical Society.
Peer Reviewed Publications
R. Carlisle Chambers, Elissa J. Bell, Tauni M. Records, Anna E. Cherian, Karen Ragan, and Bonnie Swartout, "Cholesteric liquid crystal displays as optical sensors of barbiturate binding" Liquid Crystals 2007, 34, 1221-1226
R. Carlisle Chambers, Christina E. Inman, and James Hutchison, "Electrochemical detection of nanoscale phase separation in binary self assembled monolayers" Langmuir 2005, 21, 4615.
R. Carlisle Chambers, Elizabeth J. Osburn Atkinson, David McAdams, Eric J. Hayden and Davida J. Ankeny Brown, "Creating monolayers and thin films of a novel bis(alkyl) substituted asymmetrical polyoxotungstate, {[CH3(CH2)11Si]2OSiW11O39}4- using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique" Chem. Comm, 2003, 2456.
Primary Teaching Responsibilities
CHEM 211/212 - General Chemistry
CHEM 310 - Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 320 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 460 - Experimental Chemistry
Outside the Classroom
Chambers has been blessed with a wonderful wife and two children, with whom he loves to explore the outdoors. As most current and former students will tell you, he follows all Pittsburgh-related sports teams, loves good barbecue, enjoys classic movies, and plays the piano accordion.
He also enjoys traveling and has had the good fortune to go on several Juniors Abroad trips to Africa, South America and Europe. These trips have also provided opportunities to practice his photography hobby.