Clarkson University Professor Galina Melman Receives Distinguished Teaching Award

Galina Melman, an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science in Clarkson University's School of Arts & Sciences, was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award during the University's spring 2023 commencement ceremonies.

The $1,500 prize is given "in recognition of the importance of superior teaching." Candidates are nominated for the award by Clarkson alumni, and the final selection is made by a faculty committee.

Melman teaches courses in the areas of Organic Chemistry and Food Chemistry.

She has received several awards including the Clarkson Student Ambassadors Award in 2015, the Respect Award in 2011, and the Phalanx Commendable Service Award in 2011.

Melman received her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. She worked in multiple startup companies in Israel, developing specialty inks for secure documents dealing with fluorescent dyes and probes – designed of transition metal and lanthanide complexes with task-oriented properties, working with self-assembled monolayers designed for “electronic nose” explosive detector applications. She worked as a group leader developing anti-diabetic drugs and later on moved back to the Weizmann Institute to work as a Staff Scientist and a Research Professor in the group of Prof. A. Shanzer.  

Meman joined Clarkson University in 2009 as a teaching professor. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and cross-country skiing.