BOONE—Following an internal search, Dr. Nicole Bennett has been named interim director of the Research Institute for Environment, Energy, and Economics (RIEEE) at Appalachian State University. Her appointment is effect March 1.

RIEEE was established in 2008 to enhance opportunities for faculty and students whose research interests involve the environment, energy and economics and especially their intersections.

Bennett is an associate professor in Appalachian’s Department of Chemistry. She has been on scholarly leave from Appalachian to serve as a program officer for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Undergraduate Education in Washington, D.C.

She received a B.S. in chemistry at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1990 followed by a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1996. Her 18-year career as a teacher/scholar began in the chemistry department at Hope College in Holland, Michigan.

In 2002, she joined the faculty at Appalachian where she established a vigorous undergraduate research program in physical organic studies of microwave-induced synthesis of biodiesel and small molecules. She enjoys the strong sense of community that research collaboration imparts on students and faculty alike.

Bennett has been the principle investigator or co-principle investigator for undergraduate research projects funded through the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Professional Opportunities for Women in Research program; NSF Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement program; Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program; NFS Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program; NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program; NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates; N.C. Space Grant; and Pfizer Inc.

As an NSF program officer, Bennett worked with the Noyce Foundation, NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education and S-STEM programs, which have a cumulative yearly budget of approximately $235 million.

Bennett will work closely with Interim Vice Provost for Research Alan Utter to provide new initiatives and resources to enhance external funding to the RIEEE. “Nicole brings a track record of interdisciplinary research, successful grant-writing, mentoring of students and faculty, NSF program experience and an informed vision for the future for RIEE,” Utter said. “We look forward to having her back on campus in this capacity.”

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.