Casadonte was honored for his achievements in mentoring nearly 90 undergraduates and 16 high school students in summer research programs.
Dominick J. Casadonte Jr., the Minnie Stevens Piper Professor in Texas Tech University's Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, has been selected to receive the 2021 Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR)-Goldwater Scholars Faculty Mentor Award. The award consists of a plaque and $5,000 for the recipient's research program and/or undergraduate researchers.
"It is a real honor to be selected as the 2021 CUR-Goldwater Scholars Faculty Mentor Awardee," Casadonte said. "The Goldwater Scholars are some of the finest undergraduate researchers in the country. It has been an exceptional privilege to have some of them in my laboratory and to see the beginnings of what I believe are truly remarkable careers in the STEM disciplines.
"The Council on Undergraduate Research and the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation have done an excellent job in promoting young scientists and providing them with opportunities and the tools for the development of their professional lives. I am humbled to have had the chance to be a mentor to some of these outstanding students at this point in their journey."
Casadonte was honored for his achievements in mentoring nearly 90 undergraduates and 16 high school students in summer research programs. Casadonte, who specializes in inorganic and materials chemistry, earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry with honors at Case Western Reserve University, and his master's degree in physical chemistry and doctorate in inorganic chemistry at Purdue University. He completed his postdoctoral work at the University of Illinois.
"Dr. Casadonte exemplifies the finest in undergraduate research mentors in tailoring his approach to individual student needs, promoting independent thought and nurturing student inquiry and resilience in the face of research setbacks," said Lindsay Currie, CUR's executive officer. "He not only provides a solid foundation for students as they pursue graduate/professional studies or careers in industry but also inspires his colleagues in their work with students."
The award recognizes recognizes faculty mentors who conduct their research in a STEM discipline and have mentored a minimum of three Goldwater Scholars during their career.
"Dr. Casadonte's record of mentoring Goldwater awardees includes seven scholars and two honorable mentions," said John Mateja, president of the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation. "In addition, he has assisted 14 students with their scholarship applications and served on Texas Tech's Goldwater Selection Committee for more than 25 years. Most importantly, his work with students changes their lives when he brings them into his laboratory. One of his students said it best when she said that Dr. Casadonte 'allowed me to uncover my desire to pursue a research career and, without his encouragement, I may have never discovered my passion.'"
The 2021 CUR-Goldwater Scholars Faculty Mentor Award is the most recent honor Casadonte has received for his work, but it's by no means the only one. In 2016, he was named one of the world's top 100 educators leading an innovative movement toward so-called "flipped learning," which he has followed since 2008. In 2017, he was among the top 40 worldwide. And in 2019, he was one of only three people in Texas to be given the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
"Throughout his career, Dom Casadonte has impacted the academic and personal lives of so many students," said Lawrence Schovanec, president of Texas Tech. "He's an exemplary teacher and selfless mentor, and his notable contributions to the success of our students in and out of the classroom can't be overstated. Dom exemplifies the commitment of Texas Tech University to students, and we are proud of him for receiving this well-deserved recognition."
About the Council on Undergraduate Research
The Council on Undergraduate Research supports faculty development for high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. More than 700 institutions and more than 13,000 individuals belong to CUR. CUR believes that the best way to capture student interest and create enthusiasm for a discipline is through research in close collaboration with faculty members.
About the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation
By providing scholarships to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation is helping to ensure that the United States is producing the number of highly qualified professionals needed by the nation in these critical fields.
