Chemistry Faculty
Veronica Cornel
Veronica Cornel received in 1993 a M.S. Degree in Applied Chemistry from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), South Africa.
Before that, as a Bachelor of Science with Honors from WITS, she spent 3 years as a Research Scientist working for a prominent industrial company, doing research on the catalysis of methanol into higher organics using zeolites.
After moving to the United States, the next 3 years were spent as a Research Specialist at Emory University in Atlanta(GA) doing molecular modeling of pharmaceutical drugs, writing and editing organic chemical articles, developing web pages, compiling databases, helping manage a group of 20 graduate students, and teaching three semesters of Organic Chemistry for the nursing and pre-med students.
Currently she is compiling research articles for the Journal of Organic Chemistry. Veronica returned from maternity leave in spring 2004 and obtained a full time tenure track teaching position at Reedley College in August 2006.
Jan Dekker
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, B.S. Chemistry with a minor in Physics and Math. Technische Hogeschool Delft, M.S. Biochemistry with a minor in Physiology and Pharmacology.
Jan recently accepted the position of Dean of the Math, Science and Engineering departments starting July 1, 2007.
Students who come to Reedley College will have a chance to taste some European flavor by taking chemistry from two knowledgeable and well-traveled instructors. Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa. Chemistry links everywhere.
There is more international flavor available on the RC campus. For example, you might run into CASS students from the Caribbean who complete their studies in the Ag Department at our school, or students from the Netherlands, Brazil, and Mexico.
Taking chemistry at Reedley College means a lot of fun combined with a substantial amount of work. The work will pay off ultimately because the job opportunities are fantastic. Chemical Engineers are in great demand and jobs in the industry will pay 65-100 grand. Pharmacists, veterinarians, dentists, and doctors will make between $70,000 and $200,000. You'll do fine when you are persistent.
Characteristics of the Chemistry Department: Resourceful, accessible, and excellent availability of instructors. All instructors part time and full time are willing to provide tutorial help whenever and wherever they can. For transfer students: extensive help is available to plan your career and to obtain excellent letters of recommendation. In addition, we will guide you to find scholarships and proper financial aid. We also help you find places where you can participate in Summer Undergraduate Research, which will make your resume considerably stronger.
The department has a solid transfer record to reputable four year institutions such as UCLA, UOP, UC Berkeley, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, USC, UC Irvine, UCSF, and UC Davis.
For information on the alumni from the 1992-2007 O.Chem classes and their careers, please click on "solid transfer record" above. In addition, you may find there interesting information about some Dutch students who graduated from the St-Janslyceum ('s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands) and went on to become successful pharmacists, vets and doctors.
Bill Blanken
