My name is Derek Gragson and I am a professor in the chemistry and biochemistry department at California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo (aka. Cal Poly, SLO)

I did my graduate work in the chemistry department at the University of Oregon in Eugene Oregon with Professor Geri Richmond studying the structure and hydrogen bonding of interfacial water molecules (here is a post thesis defense picture). The primary focus of my work was on studying the structure of interfacial water molecules in the presence of a variety of surfactant molecules. Surfactant molecules act to solublize nonpolar molecules or aggregates (eg. dirt particles) so that they will dissolve in water (this is how detergents work). Through our experiments we gained insight into how water molecules arrange themselves in the presence of surfactants at both air/water and oil/water interfaces.

As a postdoctoral fellow in the chemistry department at Harvey Mudd College I studied the adsorption of polymers onto solid/liquid, air/liquid, and liquid/liquid interfaces with Professor Shenda Baker. The research focused on understanding the factors that control the geometries of polymers adsorbed to various interfaces. We employed neutron reflectivity, atomic force microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and surface tension measurements to characterize polymer adsorption.

As strange as it may seem life is not all science and chemistry!!!! I also enjoy hiking, fishing (some great links here), basketball (NCAA fan and love to play), pool and darts (no electronic darts please!).

I also have a wonderful family! My wife also teaches chemistry at Cal Poly (her web page is here) and we have two wonderful daughters, Claire and Emma (see some pictures here). I know, I know... poor kids, growing up with two chemistry professors as parents! Don't worry though, we will make sure they are exposed to life outside science!

Want even more information? My CV is here.