Dan Sykes

Dan Sykes is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Pennsylvania State University, focusing on chemical education and environmental/forensic chemistry. He serves as Director of Analytical Laboratory Instruction, overseeing educational innovation through the SMILE (Small, Mobile Instruments for Laboratory Enhancement) program.

• Education: B.S. from University of Oregon (1985), Ph.D. from University of Alberta (1990)

Research Interests: Pedagogical transformation of chemistry curricula via student-built instrumentation; environmental and forensic chemical detection; development of low-cost analytical tools; and consulting on spectroscopic/chromatographic methods. His work addresses nanoplastics in water, antidepressant contamination in fluids, and novel stationary phases for chromatography.

Publications & Projects: His 15 most recent articles highlight advancements in educational instrument design (e.g., fluorimeters, colorimeters) and theoretical/experimental studies on materials like TiO2 and aluminosilicate glasses. The SMILE program's innovations include portable NMR probes, DNA sensors, and electropolymerized electrodes for PFAS detection.

Consulting & Awards: Dr. Sykes leads students in senior instrumental analysis courses (CHEM 423W/425W) to provide forensic/environmental consulting, including arson investigations and real-world LC-MSMS/GC-MSMS applications. His team has won national/regional awards in forensic science and environmental research.

Students & Lab: Supervises undergraduate researchers in the Sykes Group, emphasizing hands-on training with research-grade instrumentation. Recent projects include longitudinal microplastic studies in the West Branch Susquehanna River and development of eMIPs (electromembrane-coated electrodes) for contaminant detection.