Karen Caldwell

Karen Caldwell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry/Physical Sciences within the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at Pace University's Pleasantville campus. She is actively engaged in research and teaching, with a strong focus on environmental and analytical chemistry applications.

Education:

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (1983)
• BA in Chemistry, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY (1977)

Her research centers on the remediation of clandestine methamphetamine labs, specifically investigating the physico-chemical factors affecting the decontamination of interior building surfaces. She uses model compounds (surrogates) to study cleansing methods and develop reproducible techniques for material application and recovery on typical building surfaces. This work aims to reduce the high costs of remediation, which can range from $30,000 to $300,000. Since 2015, she has mentored five undergraduate students in this research.

Dr. Caldwell has been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout her academic and professional career, including:

• Dyson Society of Fellows (2008, Inducted)
• Certificates from Middle Atlantic Region, American Chemical Society (1997) and Westchester Chemical Society (1997)
• Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals Certificate (1993)
• Elected Member of Sigma Xi (1983)
• Included in Who's Who in American Colleges & Universities (1982)
• Fellowships from Eastman Kodak (1979), Exxon Foundation (1979), and National Science Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship (1977)
• Elected Member of Oracle Society, Ithaca College Honor Society (1977)

She has also contributed to intellectual property development, holding a U.S. patent titled "Process for Preparation of Thin Metallic Foils and Organic Thin-Film-Metal Structures" (Non-Provisional). In teaching, she has instructed a broad range of courses including General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry (I and II), Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, Advanced Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Seminar, Independent Study, Research in Chemistry, and Chemistry Internship.