The Observer, September 9, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2
New professors to teach introductory Chemistry classes
With the passing of Professor Ignacio Ocasio, two professors, M. Cather Simpson and Rameen Aryana, will take over the courses that Ocasio once taught. With a record-breaking number of freshman students this year, Chemistry 111, Principles of Chemisty for Engineers, now has 422 students and Chemistry 105, Principles of Chemistry, has 340 students enrolled.
The new Chemistry 111 professor, Simpson, received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia in 1987 and her Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in 1994. She recently received tenure in Case's chemistry department.
In her research, Simpson is very excited about the innovative "Dragon" photothermal therapy directed towards cancerous tumors. This involves using light in the visible range to kill cancerous cells directly through a "dragon-like" conducting molecule.
Simpson also taught the "Gods, Monsters, or Innocents?" SAGES class last semester. But teaching a small SAGES class is a different experience than teaching a 422-student chemistry class. "On the first day, there were literally students sitting in the aisles because the balcony seats were not opened up yet," Simpson said.
After the first week of class, Simpson is pleased with her students. "They're great. So far, it's just been fantastic. There was a slow start, but things are moving along. 'Doc's Place' in Millis 205 is busy as ever during my office hours. Students are extremely willing to learn, and they come for help with 'Problem of the Day' in Doc's Place," Simpson said.
Why did she choose to teach the class on top of all her research?
Though Simpson is fully involved in her research, her decision to teach the class was partly personal. "I was a colleague of Doc Oc's, and I volunteered to teach this class because of Doc. It was hard on the first day of class to sit in his chair in 'Doc's Place.' His picture is still on the wall, and he will always be in the memories of his students," Simpson said.
A few changes may have been made in the curriculum but the course, in general, should be the same as before. "Well, Doc and I worked together on the syllabus for the course, so very much will be similar. Perhaps my tests are a little harder. But ultimately, I view my role as helping students achieve their career goals and ambitions. I'm going to do whatever I can to help them," Simpson said.
Aryana, who teaches Chemistry 105 and Chemistry 113, Principles of Chemistry Lab, was a professor at the University of Maine prior to coming to Case. Aryana received his bachelor's degree at University of Tehran in Iran. In 1984, he received his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from University of Georgia, Athens.
Aside from the academic world, Aryana has also spent time as a government employee in Iran. Now a visiting professor at Case, he greatly enjoys interacting with his students. "It always surprises me the amount of activities students these days have, they don't just study, they do everything else as well," Aryana said.
Though Aryana will be teaching more than three hundred students, he is not fazed by the large class size and is pleased with his supplementary instructors. "Well, they're big. But the size is no problem. My SI's are just amazing. They seem to do everything for me. When I enter the classroom, everything is ready to go. The projector is up; the computer is ready to go; the blackboard is cleaned," Aryana said.
After the first day of class, Aryana reflected on his new students. "On one hand, I know that the students are anxious and a little bit intimidated to meet the new professor; but on the other hand, it's tough for us professors to approach the students too. Overall, though, the students at Case are great. They're smart and many are over-achievers."
Because of Ocasio's popularity and well-known teaching skills, Aryana hopes to fill the void left by Doc. "When I was at University of Maine, everybody said I was a great teacher after the first day because the guy before me was not too good. But here, everybody always mentions how excellent Doc Oc was. So I hope I can match up."
