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Robyn Ellen Hannigan is an American academic in the field of science, and an inventor and entrepreneur. She is the 19th president[1] of Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., having previously served as the provost of Clarkson University.[2]

Hannigan and her colleagues have developed four patents and technologies, including one which resolved an analytical chemistry instrument communication issue, and another which was a medical application technology.[3][4][5]

Early life

Hannigan grew up in New Jersey. Her mother was a member of the Narragansett Nation.[6] As a young person, she was an enthusiastic but unsuccessful science student, receiving a D grade in her biology class.[6] Her parents insisted that she attend college, and she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from The College of New Jersey, despite being a reluctant student.[6] After working for her local health department after graduation, she found that she wanted to pursue higher education.[6]

She went on to receive Master of Arts in geology from SUNY Buffalo, and a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Rochester.[7]

Career

Hannigan's previous positions include Founding Dean, School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston; Program Officer, Division of Biological Infrastructure, National Science Foundation;[2] Graduate Program Director, Environmental Science Graduate Program, Arkansas State University; Co-founder and Chief Science Officer, GeoMed Analytical, Boston, Mass.; and co-founder and Chief Science Officer, Hyphenated Solutions, State University Arkansas. She has also held faculty appointments as a professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston and Arkansas State University.[7]

Hannigan is the co-inventor of four patents: Peltier-cooled cryogenic laser ablation cell,[8] Detection of a component of interest with an ultraviolet laser and method of using the same,[9] Oral fluid assays for the detection of heavy metal exposure,[10] and Universal transfer apparatus and method to use same.[11]

Awards

Hannigan is a Fellow[12] of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2010), a Fellow of the Geological Society of America (2008),[13] a recipient of the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences from the American Chemical Society (2007),[14] and a Fellow of the Aldo Leopold Leadership Program (2001).[15]

References

  1. ^ Snyder, Susan (4 March 2022). "From a D in high school biology to graduate degrees in science and now a college presidency: Meet Ursinus' new leader". inquirer.com. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
  2. ^ a b Shea, Kevin (2019-03-30). "Clarkson's new provost appointed". Watertown Daily Times. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  3. ^ "Robyn Hannigan - Entrepreneurial". umb.edu. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  4. ^ "1 May 2009, B6 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". The Boston Globe. Boston. 2009-05-01. p. B6. Retrieved 2020-02-18 – via Newspapers.com. Hannigan is excited by the prospect of developing her own company, GeoMed Analytical.
  5. ^ "Fast start for GeoMed Analytical | VDC". umb.edu. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  6. ^ a b c d "Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science: Robyn Hannigan, PhD". Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  7. ^ a b "Four Women to Serve as Provosts at Major Universities : Women In Academia Report". wiareport.com. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  8. ^ US patent US9679753B2, Robyn Hannigan; Thomas Darrah & Francesco Peri, "Peltier-cooled cryogenic laser ablation cell", published 2017-06-13, issued 2017-06-13 
  9. ^ US patent US8174691B1, Matthew Horton & Robyn Hannigan, "Detection of a component of interest with an ultraviolet laser and method of using the same", published 2012-05-08, issued 2012-05-08 
  10. ^ US patent US7829340B2, Eugene E. Elwell; Robyn Hannigan & Edward Eckert, "Oral fluid assays for the detection of heavy metal exposure", published 2010-11-09, issued 2010-11-09 
  11. ^ US patent US8174691B1, Matthew Horton & Robyn Hannigan, "Detection of a component of interest with an ultraviolet laser and method of using the same", published 2012-05-08, issued 2012-05-08 
  12. ^ "AAAS Honorary Fellows American Association for the Advancement of Science". aaas.org. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  13. ^ "News from Arkansas State University". astate.edu. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  14. ^ "ACS Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences - American Chemical Society". acs.org. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  15. ^ "Fellows Directory | Page 4 | Leopold Leadership Program". stanford.edu. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
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