Dr Wayne Clark

Associate Professor of Science

Although I was born in London I grew up in the countryside of North Wales and this exposure to nature has greatly influenced my interest in environmental issues in my adult years. I returned to London for my BSc in chemistry, which I did at King's College, University of London. From there I went to WPI, Massachusetts in the USA where I was awarded a teaching scholarship while studying for my PhD in inorganic chemistry. Following this I became an Industrial Post-doctoral Fellow at a company near Boston, USA researching lithium ion rechargeable batteries. At the end of my fellowship I became a Senior Scientist with the company.

After almost nine years in the USA I returned to Britain and joined Richmond as Assistant Professor in Science, where I have taught a large variety of courses, including chemistry and environmental studies. I have also recently served as Chair of Department, Computing, Mathematics and Science (1999-2002). My favourite course to teach is Turning Points in the History of the Life Sciences, which leads students on a journey through the life sciences, from Egypt and Mesopotamia, Ancient Greece and Rome, to The Ancient Islamic Empire, China, Western Europe through the Renaissance, and finally to modern genetics. I also contribute a number of guest lectures to other courses, including courses in the Honours Society.

My current research interests include collaborative work with Dr. Saad Tahir in catalytic water treatment and catalytic removal of VOC's. We currently have a proposal to develop a small water treatment research centre at Richmond.

When not at Richmond you can find me on long walks with my beloved Border Collie, Talla, or practicing and teaching Chinese martial arts. I am a fully qualified Tai Chi instructor with the United Kingdom Tai Chi Association and train in the traditional style of health form, combat, weapons, pushing hands and chi kung.

Courses Taught

• BIOL/HIST 125/126 Turning Points in the History of the Life Sciences and Laboratory
• CHEM 113/114 Chemistry I and Laboratory
• CHEM 115/116 Chemistry II and Laboratory
• CHEM 221/223 Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory
• CHEM 222/224 Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory
• ENVT 113/114 Energy: A Global Perspective and Laboratory
• ENVT 150/151 Introduction to Environmental Issues and Laboratory
• MATH 100 Fundamentals of Mathematics

Publications

• Clark, W., Tahir, S., Janbey, A. "'Capture of Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Methanol by Modified Absorbents', Chemosphere" submitted 2002.
• Janbey, A., Clark, W., Noordally, E., Tahir, S. "Noble Metal Catalysts for Methane Removal" Chemosphere, accepted 2003.
• Clark, Wayne J., Book Review "Nature and the English Diaspora: Environment and History in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Cambridge University Press" 2004.
• Clark, Wayne J. "'Taoism, Alchemy and Health in Ancient China', Tai Chi News, Newsletter of the United Kingdom Tai Chi Association and Hine Tai Chi Schools, Volume 1, Issue 3" March 2003.
• Clark, Wayne J. "Book Review, 'The Physical Environment, A New Zealand Perspective, Oxford University Press', The British Review of New Zealand Studies" December 2002.
• Clark, Wayne J. "The Greener Richmond Guide. Co-advisor for production of publication by COMM 400, Communications Project Workshop students for Richmond Environment Information Centre and Local Agenda 21 committee, 1997." .
• Kildahl, Nicholas K. and Clark, Wayne J. "The Solvent Role in the Lewis Acidity of Cobalt (I)" J. Coord. Chem., 25, 291, 1992. Berka, L.H., Clark, W.J. & White, D.C. "Comparison of Two Laboratory/Computer Interfacing Systems for Temperature and Absorbance Measurements" J. Chem. Ed., 69 (11), 891, 1992.

Conferences, Presentations and Proceedings

• Janbey, A., Clark, W., Tahir, S., 'Development of Combustion Catalysts', Poster Session, EUCHEM Conference on Environmental Catalysis, Goteborg, Sweden Nov/Dec 2002
• Environmental Technology '95 and Eurochem Exhibition, NEC, Birmingham, 8 June 1995
• Modern Analytical Techniques Symposium, The Laboratory of the Government Scientist March 1995
• The Electrochemical Society, Annual Conference, New Orleans, USA October 1993
• Berka, L.H., Bergin, S.J., Burns, D.S., Clark, W.J., Kildahl, N.K. and White, D.C. "Evaluating Laboratory/Computer Interfacing Systems", Massachusetts Association of Science Supervisors, Worcester, MA, USA presented May 7, 1993
• Berka, L.H., Clark, W.J. and White, D.C. "Comparison of Two Laboratory/Computing Interfacing Systems for Temperature and Absorbance Measurements", National Science Teachers Association, National Convention, Boston, MA, USA presented March 29, 1992

Professional Activities

• Reviewer for "The Chemical Educator", Journal of Education in Chemistry, Springer-Verlag, 1995-present.
• American Chemical Society, Member, 1987-present.
• Royal Society of Chemistry, Associate Member, 1995-2001.
• Richmond Environmental Information Centre: Trustee 1996-1998.
• Richmond Environmental Information Centre: Richmond University Voting Representative 1995-present.
• Richmond Park Wildlife Group: Richmond College Voting Representative 1996-1999.
• The Electrochemical Society, Member, 1993-1994.
• Backman Fund Scholarship, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, May 1992