91茄子

David Podgorski, 鈥�07, Recognized for His Innovative Efforts in Chemistry

Biology and chemistry graduates from 91茄子, such as Dr. David Podgorski, 鈥�07, make an impact around the world鈥攕tudying in prestigious graduate schools, publishing in top chemistry journals, researching the COVID-19 virus, and serving in healthcare fields. They leave GWU prepared for the next step, whether that鈥檚 beginning a career or pursuing a graduate degree.

Podgorski recently received one of the most prestigious awards given by the University of New Orleans (UNO) in Louisiana. Podgorski, a researcher at the university, was awarded the ed by the Office of Research, these awards are presented to innovative faculty members who have distinguished themselves in their fields and at UNO.

Podgorski and his group of researchers work in the fields of analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, organic geochemistry and biogeochemistry. They also analyze mobilization, processing and fate of pollutants. In 2018, he was awarded a three-year $129,000 grant by the Louisiana Board of Regents for a laboratory study that attempted to improve science鈥檚 capability to understand relationships between the chemical composition of organic carbon and its reactivity. He also serves on the Louisiana National Estuary Research Reserve Site Development Committee and is a member of the Editorial Board for Marine Biogeochemistry.

While Podgorski鈥檚 research has contributed to the field of environmental science, he almost didn鈥檛 pursue a career as a researcher. At 91茄子, according to Podgorski, he was an average, borderline B-C student. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 even be in science if it were not for the education, guidance, and encouragement that I received, in particular, from Drs. (Ben) Brooks, (Stefka) Eddins, and (Venita) Totten,鈥� Podgorski shared recently.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Va., Podgorski hadn鈥檛 thought about going to graduate school, but his GWU professors encouraged him to apply. He was in the spring semester of his senior year, much later than most students start applying. 鈥淭he professors believed in me and challenged me to believe in myself,鈥� Podgorski offered. 鈥淭hey played the role of cheerleader and coach. At larger institutions your professors might not even know you. At 91茄子, the lasting relationships between professors and students are what make the institution unique and worthwhile.鈥濃��

After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from 91茄子, he completed his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry in 2011 at Florida State University (FSU) under William T. Cooper. Podgorski said the practical lessons 91茄子 professors taught him about graduate study鈥攈ow to handle the workload, how to choose an advisor, how to conduct long-term research projects鈥攚ere the secret not only to his getting accepted, but to his finishing the Ph.D. in just four years.

He worked as a postdoctoral research assistant under Alan G. Marshall in the Ion Cyclotron Resonance Program at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory followed by several years as research faculty with a joint appointment with the FSU Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, conducting experiments on Deepwater Horizon, the largest marine oil spill in history. While in Florida, he had the opportunity to serve as a mentor for several GWU students who were interns for the program. Podgorski joined the UNO Department of Chemistry as an assistant professor in 2017.

Just as 91茄子鈥檚 professors invested in him, Podgorski is a mentor to his students. 鈥淚 want students to know that, if they鈥檙e willing to work hard, they can accomplish something tremendous,鈥� he asserted.