Chemistry and Physics Directory
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Dr. Dissanayake received her PhD from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. She is currently a COSEM lab instructor. Her research interests include biopolymers and bioproducts: Developing new techniques to dissolve biopolymers (cellulose, wood, chitin, and chitosan), generating value-added and functionalized bioproducts, such as films, fibers, aerogels, hydrogels, monoliths, and beads. She is a member of…
Read Niwanthi Dissanayake, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Mr. Sconzert attained his MS from McNeese State University in Chemical and Environmental Science in 2019. Research interests include computational modeling of novel chemical bonds and nanoclusters. Courses taught include CHEM 101, CHEM 102, CHEM 120, CHEM 211, CHEM 301L, and CHEM 391L. Mr. Sconzert is a co-advisor for the McNeese State University Student Chapter…
Read Phoenix Sconzert, M.S.'s Full BioDr. McGraw earned his Doctoral Degree at Louisiana Tech University. He has taught Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics classes for 30 Years. His research interests include Cosmology, Particle Physics, and Mathematical Physics, the very early universe in particular. He is excited that the James Webb Telescope is discovering new things about our fascinating Universe.
Read David McGraw, Ph.D.'s Full BioDr. Patil received her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Chemical Technology from the Institute of Chemical Tech- nology, Mumbai, India. Followed by her doctorate in Chemistry from Kansas State University. Her research interests include Organometallic Chemistry, Metal Salen Complexes, and Asymmetric Catalysis. She is an Instructor and General Chemistry Lab Coordinator for the McNeese Chemistry Department….
Read Smita Patil, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Dr. Paudyal received his PhD degree in analytical chemistry from Florida International University and a master’s degree in physical chemistry from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal. Dr. Paudyal’s research involves a) the development of new electrochemical sensors/biosensors for the detection of various analytes of biological, forensics, and environmental significance, with the major focus on neurotransmitters. b)…
Read Janak Paudyal, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Dr. Thalangamaarachchige received his PhD from Texas Tech University focusing on organometallic and organosilicon chemistry. His research interests include generating novel biomaterials using biopolymers Ionic liquids (ILs), CO2 capture with ILs and designing task specific ILs as emulsifying and demulsifying agents. He is a member of American chemical society (ACS), ACS Cell division and also…
Read Vidura Thalangamaarachchige, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Dr. Boggavarapu earned his PhD in Computational Chemistry from the University of Hyderabad, specializing in aromaticity and metal-silicon multiple bonding. Currently a Professor of Chemistry and Physics at McNeese State University. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Boggavarapu’s research interests encompass nanocatalysis, hydrogen storage, and the structure of cluster-assembled materials, contributing significant findings published in…
Read Kiran Boggavarapu, Ph.D.'s Full BioDr. Vaughan obtained his B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS and has research interests in one-pot synthetic methodology, synthesis of donor-σ-acceptors, and probing novel organic reaction mechanisms via GC-MS with additional collaborations in the GC-MS quantification of cannabinoids in hemp and commercial cannabinoid products. He is a member of the…
Read Trey Vaughan, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Dr. Merchant teaches primarily Biochemistry courses (CHEM 610, CHEM 421, CHEM 421L, CHEM 422, CHEM 265, CHEM 275) or courses that contain biochemistry content (CHEM 120). His research interests include mechanisms of immunity of crocodilians, snakes, turtles, and other ectotherms (scorpions). In addition, his lab is also focused on molecular approaches to ectotherm behavior, characterization…
Read Mark Merchant, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Ms. Bushnell received her BA in Special Education and BS in Physics both from McNeese and MS in Physics from the University of Louisiana Lafayette. She has taught Special Education in the public school system along with Physics at the high school level and teaches Physics, Astronomy and Physics Labs at McNeese since 2006. She…
Read Suzanne Bushnell, M.S.'s Full Bio
Dr. Robicheaux completed his MS and PhD in Physics from Texas A&M University. He began working as a Physics Instructor at McNeese in 2024. Current research interests include analytic calculations in QCD, extra time dimensions as a means of grand unification, and the axioms of physical theories.
Read Stephen Robicheaux, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Dr. Dissanayake received her PhD from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. She is currently a COSEM lab instructor. Her research interests include biopolymers and bioproducts: Developing new techniques to dissolve biopolymers (cellulose, wood, chitin, and chitosan), generating value-added and functionalized bioproducts, such as films, fibers, aerogels, hydrogels, monoliths, and beads. She is a member of…
Read Niwanthi Dissanayake, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Mr. Sconzert attained his MS from McNeese State University in Chemical and Environmental Science in 2019. Research interests include computational modeling of novel chemical bonds and nanoclusters. Courses taught include CHEM 101, CHEM 102, CHEM 120, CHEM 211, CHEM 301L, and CHEM 391L. Mr. Sconzert is a co-advisor for the McNeese State University Student Chapter…
Read Phoenix Sconzert, M.S.'s Full BioDr. McGraw earned his Doctoral Degree at Louisiana Tech University. He has taught Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics classes for 30 Years. His research interests include Cosmology, Particle Physics, and Mathematical Physics, the very early universe in particular. He is excited that the James Webb Telescope is discovering new things about our fascinating Universe.
Read David McGraw, Ph.D.'s Full BioDr. Patil received her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Chemical Technology from the Institute of Chemical Tech- nology, Mumbai, India. Followed by her doctorate in Chemistry from Kansas State University. Her research interests include Organometallic Chemistry, Metal Salen Complexes, and Asymmetric Catalysis. She is an Instructor and General Chemistry Lab Coordinator for the McNeese Chemistry Department….
Read Smita Patil, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Dr. Paudyal received his PhD degree in analytical chemistry from Florida International University and a master’s degree in physical chemistry from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal. Dr. Paudyal’s research involves a) the development of new electrochemical sensors/biosensors for the detection of various analytes of biological, forensics, and environmental significance, with the major focus on neurotransmitters. b)…
Read Janak Paudyal, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Dr. Thalangamaarachchige received his PhD from Texas Tech University focusing on organometallic and organosilicon chemistry. His research interests include generating novel biomaterials using biopolymers Ionic liquids (ILs), CO2 capture with ILs and designing task specific ILs as emulsifying and demulsifying agents. He is a member of American chemical society (ACS), ACS Cell division and also…
Read Vidura Thalangamaarachchige, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Dr. Boggavarapu earned his PhD in Computational Chemistry from the University of Hyderabad, specializing in aromaticity and metal-silicon multiple bonding. Currently a Professor of Chemistry and Physics at McNeese State University. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Boggavarapu’s research interests encompass nanocatalysis, hydrogen storage, and the structure of cluster-assembled materials, contributing significant findings published in…
Read Kiran Boggavarapu, Ph.D.'s Full BioDr. Vaughan obtained his B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS and has research interests in one-pot synthetic methodology, synthesis of donor-σ-acceptors, and probing novel organic reaction mechanisms via GC-MS with additional collaborations in the GC-MS quantification of cannabinoids in hemp and commercial cannabinoid products. He is a member of the…
Read Trey Vaughan, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Dr. Merchant teaches primarily Biochemistry courses (CHEM 610, CHEM 421, CHEM 421L, CHEM 422, CHEM 265, CHEM 275) or courses that contain biochemistry content (CHEM 120). His research interests include mechanisms of immunity of crocodilians, snakes, turtles, and other ectotherms (scorpions). In addition, his lab is also focused on molecular approaches to ectotherm behavior, characterization…
Read Mark Merchant, Ph.D.'s Full Bio
Ms. Bushnell received her BA in Special Education and BS in Physics both from McNeese and MS in Physics from the University of Louisiana Lafayette. She has taught Special Education in the public school system along with Physics at the high school level and teaches Physics, Astronomy and Physics Labs at McNeese since 2006. She…
Read Suzanne Bushnell, M.S.'s Full Bio
Dr. Robicheaux completed his MS and PhD in Physics from Texas A&M University. He began working as a Physics Instructor at McNeese in 2024. Current research interests include analytic calculations in QCD, extra time dimensions as a means of grand unification, and the axioms of physical theories.
Read Stephen Robicheaux, Ph.D.'s Full BioAbout Us
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For over 85 years, McNeese State University has been trusted and respected as an institution of innovation and academic excellence. Ranked as one of the top public universities in the United States and one of the finest regional universities in the South.
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For over 85 years, McNeese State University has been trusted and respected as an institution of innovation and academic excellence. Ranked as one of the top public universities in the United States and one of the finest regional universities in the South.
Student Life
For over 85 years, McNeese State University has been trusted and respected as an institution of innovation and academic excellence. Ranked as one of the top public universities in the United States and one of the finest regional universities in the South.