Larry Kolopajlo

A photo of Larry Kolopajlo

Professor

Chemistry

501T Science Complex

734.487.5805

[email protected]

Education

  • BS, Mathematics and Chemistry, Muskingum College
  • MS, Physical Chemistry, Penn State University
  • Ph.D. Physical-Inorganic Chemistry, Western Michigan University
  • Teaching Certificate with Endorsements in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics

Interests and Expertise

Chemical Education
  • Elementary and Secondary Education
    My teaching and research interests revolve around the primary and secondary curricula. Research currently includes developing methods to train pre-service teachers in Modeling Pedagogy as developed at Arizona State University, and as supported by recent grants. What's more, I am interested in developing new chemistry NGSS activities.
  • College Level Chemistry Education
    Recent work centers on:
    • Flash ActionScript to develop animations
    • Visual Basic to perform simulations and solving problems involving numerical analysis in Microsoft Excel. App to teach chemistry.
  • Other Interests
    Demos, videos, teaching technology, developing new lab experiments, cosmetic chemistry and the history of chemistry. In outreach, I am actively involved in chemistry olympiad, science fairs, science olympiad and crime scene investigation workshops.
Inorganic Chemistry

My research explores the kinetics and mechanisms of solution reactions involving these fields of coordination chemistry:

  • ligand exchange
  • metal exchange
  • complex formation

Courses

  • CHEM 526 Modern Chemistry for Educators II
  • CHEM 525 Modern Chemistry for Educators I
  • CHEM 520 Advanced Methodology for Secondary Chemistry Teachers
  • CHEM 510 Computer Applications in Chemistry
  • CHEM 407 Nature of Science for Elementary Teachers
  • CHEM 406 The Nature of Science
  • CHEM 325 Methodology for Secondary Chemistry Teachers
  • CHEM 312 Teaching Elementary Chemistry
  • CHEM 121, 122, 123, 124 General Chemistry
  • CHEM 101 Chemistry for Elementary Teachers

Publications and Presentations

  • Juwon Park, Joseph Kolopajlo, Lawrence Kolopajlo.  Acid-Base Indicators from Flowers: Safe and Eco-rich. MSTA Journal.  Volume 66.1.  Summer 2021, 17-26.

  • Kolopajlo, Larry. "Green chemistry outreach" Physical Sciences Reviews, vol. 6, no. 3, 2021, pp. 20180083.  https://www.degruyter.com/journal/key/PSR/6/3/html.   https://doi.org/10.1515/psr-2018-0083.

  • Mariah Ford, Benjamin Gietzen, Larry Kolopajlo.  A Green synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles. MSTA Journal.  Volume 65, Issue 2.  Winter 2020, 18 – 31.       

  • Nathan Barnett, Larry Kolopajlo. Multicolored Gummy Bear Combustion Demos. MSTA Journal.  Volume 65, Issue 2.  Winter 2020, 15 – 17.

  • Kolopajlo,  Larry.  Attitudinal and Mathematical Assessments as Measures of Student Success in a College General Chemistry II Course.  The Ohio Journal of Science; Vol. 119. No. 2, 2019, pages 17-27.

  • Kolopajlo, Larry and  Benvenuto, Mark Anthony.  Preface: Green Chemical Processing: Volume 4. Green Chemistry in Education: Recent Developments, De Gruyter; Berlin, 2019, pages VII- XI. Kolopajlo, Larry.  Green Chemistry Outreach (Chapter 8)  in: Green Chemistry in Education; Vol. 4, Green Chemical Processing, De Gruyter; Berlin, 2019, pages 149-169.

  • Coleman, Shelby and Kolopalo, Larry. Ligand Exchange Kinetics of 2,2’-Bipyridine with Nitrilotriacetatenickelate(II). Journal of Student Research, 2018, Volume 6, Issue 2: pp 71-75.

  • Kolopajlo, Larry. Analytical Methodologies for Arsenic, Selenium, and Mercury: A Historical Perspective in: Elements Old and New: Discoveries, Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Implications. Mark A. Benvenuto, Ed. ACS Symposium Series. Oct. 30, 2017.

  • Kolopajlo, Larry. Illuminating Conductivity. Michigan Science Teachers Association Journal. Spring 2017. Volume 62.1, pages 25–43.

  • Kolopajlo, Larry. Green Chemistry Pedagogy, in Green Chemical Processing, Volume 1: Sustainable Green Chemistry; Benvenuto, Ed.; De Gruyter; Berlin, 2017; pp 67–93.
  • Kolopajlo, Larry. Green chemistry education in the Middle East. Physical Sciences Review. June 2017. Volume 43, issue 6.
  • Kolopajlo, Larry. "Chemical Applications of Microsoft Excel, a Text.", 2014, Xanadu Publishing, Ann Arbor, MI.
  • Kolopajlo, Larry. "What You Need for the First Job, Besides the Ph.D. in Chemistry"; Benvenuto, M. (Editor); ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2014.
  • Kolopajlo, Larry, Hollis, Nekuma, Pendelton, Ian, "Kinetics of the Reaction between N(tetren)2+ and Bipyridine, Journal of Student Research, 2012, 2, 39–45.
  • Kolopajlo, Larry and Boston, Jason, " A Thermostatted Holder for a Long-Path Cylindrical UV/Vis Sample Cell, Chem. Educator 12 (2007) 4, 253–254.
  • Kolopajlo, Larry, "Chapter 1: Guided Inquiry Animations in General Chemistry," In "Toward Transformations, EMU Faculty Journal into the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning," Editor, Jeffrey Bernstein, Development Center, August, 2007.
  • Kolopajlo, Larry, "Cosmetic Chemistry Experiments for High School," Michigan Science Teachers Association Journal, Fall 2006, Volume 51.
  • Phillips, Donald and Kolopajlo, Larry, "Chemistry Lab Manual for Elementary Teachers", Hayden McNeil Publishers, 2006.
  • Kolopajlo, Larry, "The Metal Exchange Reaction between NiMIDA and Copper(II), Journal of Coordination Chemistry, Vol. 59, No. 8, 20 May 2006, 891–899.
  • Kolopajlo, Larry, "The Crystal Growth of Gypsum: An Automated Laboratory Experiment for Integrated Science Classes; Michigan Science Teachers Association Journal, Spring 2005, Volume 50, Number 1, pages 8–11.
  • Brewer, Timothy, Kolopajlo, Lawrence and Matteson. Mace, "Kinetics of the Ligand Exchange of Bipyridine in Tetradentate Nickel Complexes", Journal of Coordination Chemistry, July, 2003.
  • W. C. Chen, L.H. Kolopajlo, M. H. Salimi, G. H. Nancollas. Journal of Dental Research, 1984, 63:202, 1 suppl: 162–345 and 346–362.
  • R. K. Steinhaus and L. Kolopajlo, Ternary complex formation kinetics. 3. Reaction of (ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetato)nickel(II) with ethylenediamine, bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, glycine and sarcosine", Inorg. Chem. 1985, 24, 1845–1852.
  • R. K. Steinhaus and L. Kolopajlo, "Ternary complex formation kinetics. 2. Reaction of (triethylenetetramine)nickel(II) with ethylenediamine, bipyridine and sarcosine" Inorg. Chem. 1985, 24, 1839–1844.
  • I.C. Hisatsune, L. Kolopajlo and J. Heicklen, "Low-temperature infrared studies of some chloroethylene-ozone reactions," J. Am. Chem. Soc. , 1977, 99, 3704–3708.
  • I.C. Hisatsune, L. Kolopajlo and J. Heicklen, "Gas phase kinetics of the ozone-1,2-dichloroethylene reaction", Center for Air Environment Studies, July 1976 , CAES Publication No. 447–76.

Professional Affiliations

  • American Chemical Society
  • ACS Division of Chemical Education
  • ACS Division on the History of Chemistry
  • Phi Kappa Phi
  • American Modeling Teachers Association
  • National Science Teachers Association
  • Michigan Science Teachers Association
  • Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association

Additional Information

Dr. Larry’s Diversity Statement

Dr. Kolopajlo was born and raised in Ohio, home to Generals Grant and Sherman, both military geniuses who made essential contributions toward winning the Civil War.  Their successes established an ethic of respect in Ohio toward all people, regardless of race.  Dr. Kolopajlo began his career teaching chemistry at a historically Black University.  He has also worked on projects in urban Detroit to help the impoverished improve their mathematical skills to make them job ready.  At Eastern Michigan University, he has served as science instructor in the Upward Bound Program.  Moreover, as Chemistry Club Director, he pioneered an event to celebrate the accomplishments of Percy Julian, forgotten African American chemist.  Beyond that, his outreach has served Muslim and African American communities.  In his home life, he is father to Joseph Miguel, his son, adopted from Guatemala.