Dear Colleagues,
It is my pleasure to announce that Dr. Cherie Yestrebsky has accepted my offer of reappointment as the Chair of the Department of Chemistry.
Since taking on the role of Interim Chair in 2014, and Chair in 2016, the Department of Chemistry has experienced many positive changes under Dr. Yestrebsky's leadership.
This has included the hiring of over 15 faculty and several staff, steady growth in undergraduate student credit hours, an increase in the number of applications to the doctoral program in concurrence with increased test scores, and an increase in graduate stipends. Dr. Yestrebsky has increased efficiency and safety through the reorganization of the office and Chemistry stockroom/teaching labs and the chemical inventory system in the Department. In addition, she has re-invented the Chemistry Seminar program and obtained funding to aid in inviting outstanding researchers of national and international prominence to meet with students/faculty and to see the department facilities and beautiful campus. She has also created an Industrial Advisory Board and brought American Chemical Society national meeting visitors to the UCF campus to highlight the campus and department research to alumni and colleagues from around the nation.
Remarkably, also while Department Chair, Dr. Yestrebsky graduated six doctoral students in Chemistry, directed the research of three postdoctoral associates, published several peer-reviewed papers, and gave many invited presentations at national and international venues.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Yestrebsky, and in wishing her the best for the coming years as Chair. I thank her for taking on this important role.
Best,
Tosha L. Dupras, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, College of Sciences
Professor, Department of Anthropology
University of Central Florida
