Build Relationships & Provide Opportunities to Get to Graduate School

Advances in many fields of study have been possible because of the contributions of many individuals, each one providing a unique perspective to solve a problem, which in turn allows progress. Diverse viewpoints and backgrounds enhance the collaborative efforts necessary to achieve superior outcomes that ultimately benefit society. Identifying of graduate talent to contribute to such endeavor requires dedication. Dr. Luis Colón, SUNY Distinguished Professor and the A. Conger Goodyear Chair Professor of Chemistry, makes the argument that relationship building, and mentoring are key factors to bring students to graduate programs who eventually will diversify the workforce. Interventions that serve individuals, enhancement of support, and institutional changes are all contributors to provide better outcomes. The mentoring and support of graduate students and new faculty becomes essential in this endeavor.

About Luis Colón
Luis A. Colón a SUNY Distinguished Professor and the A. Conger Goodyear Chair Professor of Chemistry. He is also Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences at University at Buffalo (SUNY). He received the B.Sc. degree from the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, the Ph.D. degree in chemistry (analytical) from UMASS-Lowell and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University. His current research focuses on the development and study of materials for use in chemical separations and chemical analysis, with particular attention to chromatographic media and the development of new strategies to separate and analyze complex chemical or biochemical sample mixtures. Colón has authored over 100 publications including seven US patents. His research work has also led to over 480 presentations at national and international universities, conferences, and at industrial and national laboratories. His has mentored over 50 graduate students earning PhD and Masters degrees. He also works on issues that advance diversity in graduate education.

Colón is Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS), the American Chemical Society, and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). He has received numerous awards for his work; the most recent ones include the Outstanding Achievements in Separation Science Award and Dal Nogare Award in Chromatography. Among his accolades for the mentoring work are the ACS Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) from President Obama.