HHMI Clark Seminar--2003

Distinguished Chemistry Alumni Seminar
in Honor of Professor Howell Clark

2003

Dr. Jeff Siria

Dr. Jeff Siria and Dr. Howell Clark

Dr. Siria is currently Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Global Environmental Laboratories, Inc.

The title of Dr. Siria's talk was "Experiences of an Analytical Chemist".

ABSTRACT

A look back at projects that required "real time" chemical analysis using fundamental chemistry principles and techniques

BIOGRAPHY

As Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Global Environmental Laboratories, Inc. (GEL), Dr. Siria is responsible for all laboratory and administrative operations within GEL. He is the Quality Assurance Coordinator for all laboratory divisions within GEL<, including specific ISO 17025 compliant programs administered by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) for Environmental Lead (ELLAP), Environmental Microbiology (EMLAP), and Industrial Hygiene (IHLAP). He performs analytical method development as well as investigative and routine chemical analysis.

Dr. Siria has worked as an analytical chemist since 1976 and is experienced in a variety of both organic and inorganic analytical methodologies, with an emphasis on industrial hygiene and environmental applications in the field as well as chemical analysis in the laboratory. He has conducted research and published papers on projects ranging from water quality and trace organic contaminant analysis to homogeneous catalysis in the area of organometallic inorganic chemistry.

His experience includes:

• Environmental Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (AIHA ELLAP/EPA NLLAP) analysis of lead in paint chips, soil, dust wipes, and air cassettes

• Member of the Advisory Committee on Lead Poisoning for the State of Missouri (by appointment by Governor Bob Holden)

• Member of the Ad Hoc Committee for the development of Missouri Lead Work Practice Standards by the Missouri Department of Health

• Lead and microbiological analysis of drinking water; successful completion of Illinois EPA drinking water certification

• Approved Quality Assurance Coordinator by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Successfully completed multiple laboratory accreditations for industrial hygiene (IHLAP) and environmental lead (ELLAP); successfully supervised AIHA laboratory proficiency for the Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing (EMPAT) program for both fungi and bacteria.

• Residential, commercial, and occupational site sampling and analysis for nuisance dust, formaldehyde, chlordane, PCBs, metals, permanent gases, and organic solvents

• Sampling and analysis of drinking waters, wastewaters, soils, hazardous waste TCLP leachates for semivolatile/volatile organics, PCBs, pesticides, herbicides, and trace metals.

• Trace analysis of anionic and non-ionic surfactants in waters and sediments using desulfonation GC/FID and HPLC

• Research on chlorination and control of trihalomethane formation in drinking water

• Analytical methods development for preconcentration and electrochemical analysis of selected organic species on platinum electrodes

• Research on use of diphosphineplatinum(II) carboxylates as homogeneous catalysts

• Deformulations of commercial products.

• Research on charging effects on metal oxide surfaces using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

• Research on acid formation potential of strip mines in western Kentucky

• Analysis of fluoride concentrations in pottery to determine potential for hydrogen fluoride gas generation in kiln emissions

• Evaluation of alcoholic beverages for ethanol and calorie content; determination of trace level methyl alcohol contamination in wine

• Forensic, arson, and investigative field inspections; consultation and expert court testimony

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Ph.D., Chemistry (Inorganic), University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1993

M.S., Chemistry (Analytical), University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1986

B.S., Chemistry, Murray State University, 1975

Full member, American Industrial Hygiene Association

PUBLICATIONS

Hubbs, S.A.; Goers, M.; Siria, J.W. “Plant Scale Examination and Control of a Chlorine Dioxide-Chloramine Process at the Louisville Water Company”. Water Chlorination, Vol. 3 (R.L. Jolley, et al, editors) Ann Arbor Publishing, 1979.

Siria, J.W.; Baldwin, R.P. “Adsorption Pre-Concentration of Dopamine at Platinum Electrode Surfaces”. Analytical Letters, 13(A7), 1980, p. 577.

Duke, D.T.; Siria, J.W.; Burton, B.D.; Amundsen, D.W. “The Control of Trihalomethanes in Drinking Water”. Journal of the American Water Works Association, 72, 1980, p. 470.

Anderson, G.K.; Lumetta, G.J.; Siria, J.W. “Photochemical Reactions of Diphosphineplatinum(II) Oxalate Complexes”. Journal of Organometallic Chemistry, 434, 1992, p. 470.

Xu, C.; Siria, J.W.; Anderson, G.K. “Platinum and Palladium Complexes of the Type [M(Eph)2(dppe)] (E = O, Se, S)”. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 206, 1993, p. 123.

Pictures (click on thumbnail for larger image):

Dinner Reception

Seminar

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Last Modified: April 29, 2003