Dr. Rebecca DeVasher leads an active research program in green chemistry, which seeks to develop new methods and technologies that reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals. One of her projects with students involves the investigation of a tautomeric system with commercial implications. The winner of the 2020 Dean's Outstanding Teacher Award, Dr. DeVasher is involved with various sustainability initiatives on campus, has been a faculty mentor to visiting high-school seniors completing science projects in Rose-Hulman’s Operation Catapult program, and is the faculty adviser for the Unity student organization.
Academic Degrees
- BS, University of Alabama, 2000
- PhD, University of Alabama, 2004
Awards & Honors
2020 - Dean's Outstanding Teacher Award - Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
2019 - Rose-Hulman Alumni Association Honorary Alumni Award
Research Experiences
- Biofuels
- Catalyst method development
- Designer solvents
- Educational evaluation/assessment
Select Publications & Presentations
- DeVasher, R., Chen, H., and Turns, J., “Evidence for the Entrepreneurial Mindset,” VentureWell OPEN Conference, Portland, Oregon, 2016
- Shaughnessy, K., Ciganek, E., and DeVasher, R., “Copper-Catalyzed Amination of Aryl and Alkenyl Electrophiles,” Organic Reactions, Volume 85; Denmark, Wiley, 720 pages, 2014
- DeVasher, R. and Welmers, M., “Computational Study of Cesium Effect in Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions,” 246th National American Chemical Society Meeting, 2013
Teaching Interests
- Organic chemistry
- Green chemistry