Areas of expertise: K-12 science education, surface chemistry of plastics and polymers, industrial pollution, air pollution, soil contaminants, brownfield cleanups, urban farming
Joseph (Joe) A. Gardella, Jr. is director of the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Partnership (ISEP), a major initiative to improve science education at 12 Buffalo Public Schools. ISEP brings together partners including UB, the Buffalo Museum of Science and Buffalo State College to increase hands-on learning in science classes. The program engages about 60 middle and high school teachers each year in research-based professional development that encourages them to enliven their classrooms with experiments and other hands-on activities. Besides directing ISEP, Gardella, PhD, has conducted numerous studies examining the environmental impact of industrial pollutants on communities in Western New York. As an expert in surface chemistry, he also investigates topics relevant to the development of new materials for coatings, drug delivery and controlled release for wound healing.
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