Lou Ann Tom

Lou Ann Tom is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Susquehanna University, with a 20-year career in academia and industry. She serves as Program Director of the GO Hawaii initiative and co-leads collaborative research projects with students in environmental and analytical chemistry.

• PhD in Chemistry from Lehigh University (2005)
• MS in Chemistry from Bucknell University (1994)
• BS in Chemistry & Biology from Lycoming College (1987)

Her research focuses on molecularly imprinted polymers for detecting pharmaceuticals/pesticides, photocatalytic degradation of drugs to prevent environmental contamination, and spider-based chemical analysis for natural pesticides/heavy metal bioaccumulation. She has secured over $400,000 in funding, including NSF grants.

Recent publications emphasize environmental chemistry, with keywords spanning analytical techniques, polymer design, and ecological risk assessment. Her work intersects with public health, pollution control, and innovative material science.

• Merck Award For Excellence (2003)
• March Fellowship in Ethical Leadership (2020)

Lou Ann has mentored 20+ undergraduate students on peer-reviewed research. She actively maintains departmental analytical instruments and participates in community initiatives like the Geisinger Medication Take-Back Program. Her collaborations with Bucknell University and work on the Susquehanna River watershed highlight her interdisciplinary approach.