Darlene Ingram

Dr. Darlene Ingram is an Associate Professor of Chemistry in the Natural Sciences & Mathematics department at Kentucky Wesleyan College. With over two decades of teaching experience across multiple institutions including University of Southern Indiana, Indiana University Southeast, University of Evansville, and Pellissippi State Community College, she brings extensive expertise in chemistry education and research.

Dr. Ingram's research interests focus on creative problem solving in chemistry, skin care and cosmetic formulation, peptide synthesis, and synthesis of transition metal complexes to serve as catalysts. Her work has particular applications in Alzheimer's disease research through the development of peptide analogs such as iAβ5 and b-Sheet Breaker Peptides. She has supervised undergraduate research projects in these areas, with students presenting their work at university research programs.

Her scholarly output shows a progression from fundamental peptide synthesis techniques in the 1990s to more applied research with medical relevance in the 2010s, and most recently expanding into environmental applications with CO2 reduction catalysts. Her publications span both research chemistry and chemistry education, reflecting her dual commitment to advancing chemical knowledge and effective teaching practices.

Her professional recognitions include:

• Southeast Region Teacher of the Year award through Kaplan (2007)
• EURP Grant recipient from University of Southern Indiana (2014)
• Online Course Development Program recognition (2016)
• GAANN Fellowship (1993)
• PB&S Chemical Company Award (1989)

Dr. Ingram is deeply committed to student engagement and outreach, regularly participating in programs to introduce young people to chemistry through Girl Scout and Boy Scout merit badge programs, science fairs, and specialized camps. She has adapted her teaching methods to include innovative online approaches, particularly evident during the pandemic when she developed resources on 'Face Masks: Materials, Disinfection, and Reuse During COVID-19' and participated in faculty panels on teaching during the pandemic.