Sherwood To Lead Undergraduate Studies for Chemistry

Carnegie Mellon University Teaching Professor and Director of Laboratories Gizelle Sherwood has been named Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Chemistry in the Mellon College of Science. The appointment was effective June 1. Sherwood replaces Professor Karen Stump, who served in that role for 24 years and will retire next summer.

"It's difficult to imagine anyone replacing Karen Stump, who has been the backbone of our undergraduate program for more than two decades, but I'm excited to work with Gizelle in recruiting more majors to our department, broadening our appeal to nonmajors and innovating our curriculum to train students who can tackle the great challenges facing our planet" said Bruce Armitage, Chemistry department head, professor and co-director of the Center for Nucleic Acid Science and Technology.

In her new role, Sherwood will oversee the Department of Chemistry's curriculum and laboratories to ensure that coursework prepares the next generation of scientists. Traditionally the core role of the director of undergraduate studies is to coordinate and align the undergraduate curriculum with the central missions of the department, the college and the university.

"In this role I also hope to be the bridge between the department and our students — chemistry majors as well as anyone who takes a chemistry course," Sherwood said. "As faculty we have a set of expertise. But our students can be empowered to drive their experiences and choices."

Sherwood earned her Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon in 2008 and joined the faculty as a special lecturer in 2009. In 2014, she was named an assistant teaching professor. She was promoted to associate and full teaching professor in 2019 and 2023, respectively.

Sherwood teaches first and second-year courses such has modern chemistry, Laboratory 1: Introduction to Chemical analysis and Techniques in Quantitative Analysis and helps to build strong foundational knowledge. She also has created and co-taught courses such as The Design and Making of Skin and Hair Products and provides students with real-word applications and opportunities for hands-on learning.

"I am here to be a resource, a tool that students can utilize in their journey on their paths to becoming researchers, doctors, teachers, changemakers ... the list can go on and on. In particular, I want to help them understand the place of chemistry in their life's journey. Because it's everywhere!" she said. "Our department is known for being a small tight knit community. I also hope to maintain that level of familiarity and community, established by my predecessors, that has been integral to our departmental success."

Sherwood is a strong advocate for outreach programs and works with organizations such as Carnegie Mellon's Gelfand Center, Pittsburgh Junior Academy of Science and Boy Scouts of America to develop K-12 outreach programs in chemistry for K-12.

Among her accolades, Sherwood was named a Provost's Inclusive Teaching Fellow in 2021 and earned the Julius Ashkin Teaching Award in 2020.