Annual Report Text, 1995-1996

With the arrival of Dr. Taylor's postdoc, Dr. Vyvyan, Dr. Sanford became an old timer in her second year at Hope. Last summer she and four research students made significant progress in two different research projects--the synthesis of substituted[1.1.1]propel- lanes and functionalizing molecular tubes made from cyclodextrins. Both projects use concepts from molecular recognition to build macromolecules that will be used as new materials. In the fall Jon Reeves (Hope '97) developed a new method to make highly conjugated polymers. This result has now taken us into a third research area--conduct- ing polymers. During each semester, Dr. Sanford had four students working on research projects in her lab. This summer four students, three from Hope and one from Claflin College in South Carolina, will be joining Dr. Sanford's group. In addition, Dr. Tom Neils, a professor at Grand Rapids Community College, who has taught both first year and organic labs for us in the past, will join the group for the summer. Dr. Sanford's research is currently supported by the NSF, the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, the Howard Hughes Foundation and the Petroleum Research Fund.

Dr. Sanford's teaching responsibilities were focused on organic chemistry lecture and laboratory this year. She is interested in introducing more polymer chemistry into the organic curriculum next year and in establishing stronger ties with the engineering program.

Dr. Sanford was selected this year by Project Kaleidoscope as a member of their Faculty for the 21st Century program. This program recognizes promising faculty who are seen as future leaders in education.