Lee Penn

Lee Penn
Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Distinguished University Teaching Professor, Merck Professor of Chemistry, College of Science & Engineering Distinguished Professor, Institute on the Environment Resident Fellow, Department of ChemistryContact
Smith Hall Room 225 207 Pleasant Street SeMinneapolis, MN 55455
Education
B.S. Beloit College, 1992
Ph.D. University of Wisconsin, 1998
Post Doctorate Johns Hopkins University, 1998-2000
Experimental Physical Chemistry: nanocrystalline materials
Nanoscience & Materials Chemistry: nanoparticles
Environmental & Green Chemistry: mineral surface chemistry
- Elucidate fundamental, particle-mediated crystal growth mechanisms,
- Characterize chemical reactivity and evolving reactivity of nanoparticles in environmental systems,
- Reactions for sulfide remediation in sulfide-contaminated water,
- Fate and transport of microplastics,
- Oil in water dispersions,
- Green materials synthesis for applications related to sustainable energy, and
- Development of smartphone based experiments geared towards use in the field and for middle and high school laboratories.
Students in the Penn group use many state-of-the-art materials characterization methods, including in situ and ex situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in combination with a broad suite of correlative methods, to characterize solid-state changes resulting from reactions with both natural and anthropogenic chemicals. This enables us to quantitatively assess reactivity, reactive surface area, and how reactivity and reactive surface area evolve as reactions proceed and solution conditions change. In addition, materials collected from the field are used in parallel experiments so as to enable meaningful comparisons between the field and the lab.

Honors and Awards
George W. Taylor Award for Distinguished Service, 2020
Merck II Professor of Chemistry, 2017
Community Excellence Award from the University of Minnesota’s Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life
Charlotte Striebel Equity Award from the University Office for Equity and Diversity’s Women’s Center, 2016-17
American Chemical Society Fellow, 2015
Horace T. Morse University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education, 2015
Breaking the Silence Award from the University of Minnesota's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Ally Programs Office, 2014
Institute on the Environment Fellow, 2011-present
McKnight Presidential Fellow, 2008-2011
George Taylor Career Development Award, 2008
Best Chemistry Professor of the Year Award
Institute of Technology Student Organization, 2008
University of Minnesota Thank a Teacher Award, 2007 & 2002
National Science Foundation Career Award, 2004-2009
Mailing Address
Lee Penn
University of Minnesota
Department of Chemistry
B-4, 139 Smith Hall, 207 Pleasant St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0431