Faculty & Staff

B.Sc. in Radiochemistry, Institute for Nuclear Sciences and Technology, Havana (Cuba), 1995 

M.Sc. in Radiochemistry, Institute for Nuclear Sciences and Technology, Havana (Cuba), 1997

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia (Canada), 2004

(click here to go to Dr. Hernandez research page)

Research Interests:

             Theoretical chemical physics, statistical mechanics, condensed matter theory,  molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo method, coarse-grain modeling, quantum dynamics, path integral methods, non-equilibrium statistical mechanics.

Current Teaching:

• Chemistry 361: Physical Chemistry I
• Chemistry 363: Physical Chemistry II
• Chemistry 491: Physical Chemistry Special Topics

• L. Hernández de la Peña and G. H. Peslherbe, "Quantum effects on the free energy of ionic water clusters evaluated by nonequilibrium computational methods", J. Phys. Chem. B 114, 5404 (2010) 

• R. van Zon, L. Hernández de la Peña, G. H. Peslherbe and J. Schofield, "Quantum free energy differences from non-equilibrium path-integrals: II. Convergence properties for the harmonic oscillator", Phys. Rev. E 78, 041104 (2008)

• R. van Zon, L. Hernández de la Peña, G. H. Peslherbe and J. Schofield, "Quantum free energy differences from non-equilibrium path-integrals: I. Methods and numerical application", Phys. Rev. E 78, 041103 (2008)

• L. Hernández de la Peña, R. van Zon, J. Schofield and S. B. Opps, "Discontinuous molecular dynamics for rigid bodies: Applications", J. Chem. Phys. 126, 074106 (2007)

• L. Hernández de la Peña, R. van Zon, J. Schofield and S. B. Opps, "Discontinuous molecular dynamics for semi-flexible and rigid bodies", J. Chem. Phys. 126, 074105 (2007)

• L. Hernández de la Peña and P. G. Kusalik, "Quantum effects in liquid water and ice: Model dependence", J. Chem. Phys. 125, 054512 (2006)

• L. Hernández de la Peña, M. S. Gulam Razul and P. G. Kusalik, "Quantum effects in ice Ih", J. Chem. Phys. 123, 144506 (2005) 

• L. Hernández de la Peña, M. S. Gulam Razul and P. G. Kusalik, "Effects of quantization on the properties of liquid water", J. Phys. Chem. A 109, 7236-7241 (2005)

• L. Hernández de la Peña and P. G. Kusalik, "Temperature dependence of quantum effects in liquid water", J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127, 5246-5251 (2005)

• L. Hernández de la Peña and P. G. Kusalik, "Quantum effects in light and heavy liquid water: A rigid body centroid molecular dynamics study", J. Chem. Phys. 121, 5992-6002 (2004)

• L. Hernández de la Peña and P. G. Kusalik, "The rotational centroid and its application in quantum molecular dynamics simulations", Mol. Phys. 102, 927-938 (2004)

  

Dr. Diana A. Phillips, Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry
Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in Physical Chemistry, with expertise in physical chemistry, catalysis, surface chemistry and analysis.

Phillips views Kettering students as bright, eager and insightful and feels that they are more motivated and focused than students she has had elsewhere. What she enjoys most about teaching at Kettering is the opportunity to meet and interact with tomorrow's leaders. She feels that Kettering's high quality students "make teaching here a pleasure."

She has a list of advice for prospective students: "be prepared to hit the ground running; don't believe you know everything from high school; if you do not understand something or are having trouble with a class get help right away, don't wait until it is too late to catch up; and enjoy yourself!"

Hidden talents and outside interests: In addition to travel and spending time with her family, Phillips also enjoys making mead in her meadery.

Adhesion
Adsorption
Catalysis
Corrosion
Interfacial phenomena
Surface chemistry

Dr. Montserrat Rabago-Smith, Assistant Professor of Bio-organic Chemistry
Ph.D. in Chemistry from Michigan State University, with expertise in organic chemistry and bioorganic chemistry.

Rabago-Smith finds Kettering students hardworking, smart and distinguished from students at other universities by their motivation and how hard they study. She was first attracted to teaching at Kettering because it is a small university with "a very good batch of students" and it is the interaction with these students that keeps her here.

Hidden talents and outside interests: When not teaching or working with students, Rabago-Smith enjoys activities such as Aikido, camping, hiking, swimming, and reading.

Dr. Stacy Seeley, Department Head of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Program Director of Chemical Engineering; and Professor of Biochemistry

Professional Preparation:
B.S. Chemistry,1989 - Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
Ph.D. BioPhysical Chemistry,1995 - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Post-Doc Biochemistry 1997-1997, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA

Seeley has taught at Kettering for more than eleven years and feels that some of the best descriptors of Kettering students are motivated, bright and hard-working. Additionally, she says that Kettering students are more driven to succeed and learn, and more focused than students at other institutions.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of teaching at Kettering for Seeley is the chance to work with students in labs, since this provides the best opportunity to get to know her students better. She also says that when looking at institutions where she would like to teach, she held Kettering in high regard, since the school is focused on teaching.

Hot tip for prospective students: "Come to Kettering!  Our programs are rigorous but we provide a nurturing environment"