Gary L. Long

Gary L. Long is an Associate Professor in Virginia Tech's Department of Chemistry and College of Science, serving as Associate Director of the Academy of Integrated Science and Division Leader for the Integrated Science Curriculum. Previously, he was Associate Dean for Undergraduate Students and Curriculum (2012-2018) and Director of the Chemistry Outreach Program (2000-2006).

Education

• B.S. in Chemistry, Wake Forest University, 1978
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, North Carolina State University, 1982
• Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Florida, 1982-1983
• Fulbright Research Scholar, Weizmann Institute of Science, 1990-1991

Long's research spans chemical education and environmental analytical chemistry. His chemical education work pioneered the Virginia Tech Mobile Chemistry Laboratory for K-12 outreach, developed mathematics tutorials for General Chemistry, and co-created the interdisciplinary Integrated Science Curriculum. Environmental projects focus on heavy metal analysis in contaminated ecosystems, including extraction technologies for sediments, selective ion traps for groundwater remediation, and studies of metal mobility via chemisorption to colloidal Fe(OH)₃.

His publications reveal dual expertise in educational innovation and environmental analysis, with recent work emphasizing scalable outreach models and mechanistic studies of metal behavior in aquifers, bridging pedagogy with real-world analytical challenges.

Scientific Awards

• Sally Bohland Excellence in Access and Inclusion Award (2018)
• Academy of Faculty Service (2014)
• William Preston Society (2012)
• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award (2011)
• Alan F. Clifford Faculty Service Award (2011)
• Excellence in Access and Inclusion Award (2011)
• William E. Wine Award for Excellence in Teaching (2005)
• Academy of Teaching Excellence (2005)
• Alumni Award for Excellence in Team Outreach (2004)
• Academy of Outreach Excellence (2004)
• Cultural Diversity Award (1999)
• Certificates of Teaching Excellence (1995-96, 1998-99)
• Phi Beta Delta Honor Society (1997)
• Fulbright Research Scholar (1990-1991)
• Phi Lambda Upsilon Chemistry Honor Society (1980)

Long has mentored 13 Ph.D. students, 6 M.S. students, and 16 undergraduates in senior research projects. As NSF Program Director (1998-1999) and Faculty Senate President (2009-2010), he shaped national and institutional science policy while directing major outreach initiatives.

He leads the Virginia Tech Mobile Chemistry Laboratory team and the Integrated Science Curriculum development group, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration through hands-on science education and environmental research.