Laura Lanni

Laura Lanni is a Senior Instructor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of South Carolina, part of the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. Her academic career spans over 35 years, with roles including high school teacher, industry chemist, and university faculty. She holds a B.S. in Engineering Chemistry from Oakland University (1987) and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of South Carolina (2010).

Her research focuses on porous materials synthesis, including boronate ester-linked polymers, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and phthalocyanines. She has directed undergraduate research projects funded by grants such as the National Science Foundation’s REMAST program ($800,000) and the South Carolina Computational Chemistry Consortium (SC4). Her work emphasizes practical applications in gas storage, molecular separations, and photovoltaic devices.

Lanni is a dedicated educator, recognized with awards like the William S. Boyd Professorship for Teaching Excellence and the Bouknight Outstanding Teaching Award. She has developed innovative curricula, including student-designed labs and virtual lab simulations. Her teaching portfolio includes Organic Chemistry I/II, Honors College courses, and Advanced Placement Chemistry.

Her leadership roles include directing the Organic Chemistry program at Clemson University, supervising science/math internships, and mentoring STEM teacher candidates via the REMAST program. She has also contributed to curriculum development through textbooks like Dr. Lanni’s Orgo Lecture Notebooks and peer-reviewed publications in J. Chem. Ed. and J. Am. Chem. Soc.

Lanni’s professional certifications include National Board Teaching Certification and Advanced Placement Chemistry training. Her industry experience at BASF Corporation informs her expertise in polymer synthesis and electrocoat technology. She remains active in outreach, judging science competitions and hosting high school students in lab activities.