Vincent F. Scalfani - From Studying Block Copolymers to Chemical Information

From Studying Block Copolymers to Chemical Information

A Journey of an Alternative Chemistry Career as an Academic Science Librarian

Vincent F. ScalfaniScience and Engineering Librarian

vfscalfani@ua.eduThe University of Alabama

Rodgers Library for Science and Engineering

245th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA

Education: Chemistry B.S. (2003–2007) 2

Chemistry B.S. 2007, State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego

(Bu4N)2[Mo6Cl8Cl6] + excess Ag(OTf ) (Bu4N)2[Mo6Cl8(OTf )6] + 6 AgCl (s)

X (excess)

[Mo6Cl8(X)6]2– or [Mo6Cl8(X)6]4+ + 6 OTf –

Performed undergraduate research w/ Casey Raymond. Synthesized and modified inorganic metal clusters.

X = Cl–, RCN–, OR–, RSO3

–, pyridine, etc.

Johnston, D.H. et al. Inorg. Chem. 1992, 31, 1869.

2000 nm

Education: Chemistry Ph.D. (2007–2012) 3

200 nm

Studied polymer chemistry with Travis Bailey.

Block copolymers are hybrid macromolecules that undergo microphase separation, order on the nanoscale.

Chemistry Ph.D. 2012, Colorado State University

+

Anderson, K.S. et al. J. Appl. Sci., 2003, 89, 3757; Khandpur, A.K. et al. Macromolecules, 1995, 28, 8796.

Done w/ Graduate School…Now What? 4

Was very undecided on what to do after Graduate School (May 2012).

Chemistry/ScienceKnowledge

Solid background of science and technology

Experimenting Laboratory techniques, instrumentation, data analysis, procedures, not afraid of failure.

Technical Writing/Graphics

Writing publications, dissertation, peer-review, graphics, plotting data.

Teaching/Communication

Taught chemistry lab classes, instrument TA, mentored lab group members, presented research findings.

Literature Research Knowledge of science databases and other tools.

Critical Thinking Independent learning, problem solving, alternative hypotheses.

Top Skills Acquired From Chemistry Training 5

Did I need the Lab Bench to use these skills? 6

NOPE!

Now I knew what skills I had. What about the actual job?

I enjoy the lab, but it is only a small part of my skills and what I enjoy doing:

Chemistry/Science KnowledgeExperimenting (does not have to be at lab bench!)

Technical Writing/GraphicsTeaching/Communication

Literature ResearchCritical Thinking

Career as a Librarian Was Very Attractive 7

Found searching for information fun in grad school—putting the pieces together.

Changing role of libraries — Libraries are rapidly changing how they operate, services offered, and how they serve campuses, for example:

• Dynamic spaces• Support for mobile electronic resources• Integration of Library services with curriculum• Desire for Increased subject knowledge (take a look at library job ads)• New emerging technologies• Support for data management/ e‐science

Noticed that half or even more of my research as a graduate student was performed using library resources.

Worked in Library as an undergraduate — enjoyed atmosphere.

1

23

4

ACRL Review Committee, C&RL News, 2010, 71, 286.; ACRL Review Committee, C&RL News, 2012, 73, 311.

Libraries are a Critical Component of Research 8

Research ProjectHypothesis

Literature Review/Background

Materials/Synthetic Schemes

Experimentation/Experimentation/Lab Work

Analysis of Data/

Observation

Re-evaluate hypothesis/additional experiments that support or refute

Writing/Publish Data

Reference services, comparison to past data

Research consultations, classroom instruction, E-resources support,database instruction

Support software

Data Storage/Sharing

Critical analysis

Helped me understand how I can fit in to the libraries.

With That, Accepted Current Position 9

Science and Engineering Librarian at The University of Alabama Rodgers Library for Science and Engineering

5 libraries at UA (main, Business, Special Collections, Education, Science) Approximately-- 4 Deans, 40 Librarians, 150 staff

At Rodgers we serve ~ 2000 patrons per day.

Responsibilities 10

Librarianship Reference, Instruction, and Outreach to Chemistry, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics.

Research Publications, Presentations, Conference Committees, etc.

Service UA committee work, taskforces, etc.

Position Highlights: Full time, tenure track faculty

N.B. Some Librarian positions are tenure track, some not-- varies widely.

80%

10%

10%

Transitioning from the Lab to the Library 11

Easier than you think... still view everything as an experiment. Knew going in that this was critical or else I would not enjoy it.

???

How have I used my experience as a Chemist in the Library? A few sample projects from year 1.

(And more importantly, ideas for how you can too!)

Project 1: Instruction Sessions 13

Example--Designing Posters, Presentations, and Figures

Many other great topics Chemists can teach out of library such as literature search strategies, SciFinder, ChemBioDraw, peer-review, how to read a scientific paper, organization of research paper, etc. You can get very creative.

Project 2: 3D Printing 14

Are we a research lab or a library?? Both!

Used my experience as a Chemist to manage a 3D Printing Lab at UA Libraries:

Open Access 3D Lab (Nov 2012)

• Two Step training process

• Introduced a scientific research strategy. Students are free to experiment which includes failure and success.

• Very Successful Program—We have trained over 150 users from departments across campus. 30 users have printed objects independently.

Scalfani, V. F. and Sahib, J. Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship, 2013, accepted.

Project 2: 3D Printing 15

…and who ever sad you would not be doing science in the library, we are melt processing polymers and experimenting!!

Project 2: 3D Printing 16UA Student work, 3D fabricated objects in a library!

Project 3: E-Science/Data Management 17

Data management plans, file management, preservation, sharing data, metadata, digital lab notebooks, etc.

Working on an e-science team to plan and help researchers with e-science related issues.

Testing tools to help researchers work and share data

Project 4: Graduate Chemistry Research Course 18

Collaboration between UA Chemistry Department and UA Libraries to teach a new Chemistry Research Methods course (Graduate 500 level CHEM/LIB) beginning Fall 2013.

Highlights: replacing literature seminar course, required 3 credit class for all 2nd

year chemistry graduate students, 10 page report, 20 minute seminar.

**Librarian (myself ) as primary instructor, Chemistry faculty as co-instructor.

• Ethics, plagiarism and trust in science• Chemistry information resources• Literature searching techniques• Critical analysis of literature• Peer review• Technical writing• Presentations

Topics we will cover:

For overview of Chemical Information Instruction in Universities, see:

Garritano, J. R. and Culp, B. F. Journal of Chemical Education, 2010, 87, 340.

Advice For New Graduates 19

If you are thinking about a career in Libraries:

• Outline skills and think about how they transfer. Is the lab bench required for you?? #1 question is why do you want to be a librarian?

• Continue to think like a scientist, find ways to apply your skills.

• Read a lot of library science literature in order to better understand the field and to determine if librarianship is for you.

Take Home Messages/Future Outlooks 20• Changing role of libraries opens many opportunities.

• Libraries are a critical part of research and teaching.

• Chemistry degree is a great start for a career in librarianship. (Many Academic librarian job ads seek “Advanced Scientific degree” and/or Masters in Library Science.

• Librarians can work on exciting projects such as science instruction, new technology, and data management issues.

Acknowledgements 21

Chemistry Advisors:

Travis S. Bailey (Ph.D., Colorado State)Casey C. Raymond (B.S., SUNY Oswego)

Current Support:

UA Libraries TeamUA Chemistry FacultyJohn SandyMangala KrishnamurthyStephen WoskiAssociate Dean Tom WilsonDean Louis Pitschmann