Amelia S. Taylor-Perry

Amelia S. Taylor-Perry is a Senior Lecturer and Lab Coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry (Analytical) from the same university (2012) and a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina at Aiken (2004). Her academic roles include overseeing General Chemistry courses and labs for ~4,000 students annually, managing chemical stockrooms, and supervising instructional assistants. She is LEAD certified and emphasizes innovative teaching methods in chemistry education.

Education:

• Ph.D., Chemistry (Analytical), University of South Carolina (2012)
• B.S., Chemistry (Magna Cum Laude), University of South Carolina at Aiken (2004)

Research & Teaching Interests: Taylor-Perry focuses on general chemistry education, laboratory technique development, and the application of atomic spectroscopy (e.g., laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy). She designs curricula and lab manuals for undergraduate students and integrates real-world chemistry into non-science majors' education.

Awards:

• 2025: Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award
• 2022: Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovations
• 2018: USC College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Teaching Award
• Multiple Two Thumbs Up Awards (2016, 2018–2021)

Grants & Advising: She has coordinated large undergraduate courses and supervised graduate/undergraduate research assistants. Her work includes developing the ComPro database for glass durability studies at Savannah River National Laboratory. She also contributed to textbook and lab manual development for general chemistry courses.

Labs & Teams: Leads the general chemistry laboratory program, emphasizing safety and hands-on learning. Collaborates with faculty on spectroscopic research and curriculum design.