Steve Desjardins

Desjardins teaches courses in general and physical chemistry. His research interests include statistical mechanics, nonlinear dynamics, and chemical kinetics.

Steve Desjardins

Steve Desjardins

Professor of Chemistry

Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • 1985 The University of Texas, Austin, TX
    • Postdoctoral Research Associate with Dr. Peter J. Rossky
    • Research: Theoretical Studies in Statistical Mechanics; Development of Interaction Site integral equation theory for molecular fluids such as water.
  • 1984 Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI
    • Thesis Advisor: Professor Richard M. Stratt, Department of Chemistry, Brown
    • Thesis Topic: Theoretical Studies in Statistical Mechanics
      • Quantum effects on the conformational behavior of small molecules and polymers
      • Interaction of intramolecular degrees of freedom with a condensed phase environment
      • Classical and quantum behavior of lattice spin systems, such as the Ising-Lenz and Heisenberg models
  • 1980 B.A., Chemistry and Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude, Clark University, Worcester, MA

Research

  • statistical mechanics
  • nonlinear dynamics
  • chemical kinetics

Teaching

  • Chem 106 Disorder and Chaos
  • Chem 110 General Chemistry
  • Chem 112 Aqueous Inorganic Chemistry
  • Chem 260 Physical Chemistry of Biological Systems

Selected Publications

  • Holland, M. G., Griffith, V. E., , France, M. B., and Desjardins, S. G., “Kinetics of the Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of a 7-Oxanorbornene Derivative by Grubbs’ Catalyst”, J. Poly. Sci.: Part A: Poly. Chem., 41, 2125-2131 (2003)
  • Williams, H. T.; Goodwin, L.; Desjardins, S. G.; Billings, F. T.; “Two-Dimensional Growth Models,” Physics Letters A, 1998, 250, 105.
  • Easton, R. E.; Murray, W. R.; Desjardins, S. G. “Fractal Analysis of Trajectories in Two Dimensional Argon Clusters.,” J. Mol. Graphics (1992)
  • Desjardins, S. G.; Stratt, R. M.; “The Statistical Mechanics of a Liquid of Breathing Hard Spheres.,” J. Chem. Phys. 1989, 90, 6809.
  • Stratt, R.M.; Desjardins, S. G.; “The Solvation of the Methyl Radical and its Implications.,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1984, 106, 256.
  • Desjardins, S. G.; Stratt, R. M.; “The Statistical Mechanics of a Liquid of Two-State Molecules.,” II. “The Competition between Quantum Mechanics and the Condensed Phase.,” J. Chem. Phys. 1984, 81, 6232.
  • Stratt, R. M.; Desjardins, S. G.; “Quantal Effects on Conformational Equilibria.,” J. Chem. Phys., 1982, 76, 5134.
  • O’Gara, J.; Jones, A.A.; Desjardins, S. G.; “Spin Relaxation and Local Motion in Four Structurally Related Dissolved Polycarbonates,” 1981, Macromolecules 14, 64.

Grants

  • Jeffress Research Grant, 1989, $12,600
  • Dr. Scholl’s Foundation, 1999, $25,000
  • W. Keck Foundation, 2001, $500,000