Portrait image of Ronald Brown
Ronald Brown

Chair, Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry, Professor

Contact Information

OFFICE: Zurn 305
PHONE: 814-824-2389

Dr. Brown has a strong interest in sharing his love for basic science and in exploring why the world is the way that it is. Toward this end, he has taught a wide range of courses at Mercyhurst University. Along with igniting student interest in science in the introductory chemistry sequence, he most enjoys working with students on problems in chemical thermodynamics and quantum chemistry. Dr. Brown is also a research mentor to students interested in the utilization of computational chemistry to investigate a diverse array of topics.

About Dr. Brown
    • Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 1999
    • B.S., Chemical Physics, Michigan State University, 1994
    • CHEM 121/122: General Chemistry I and Labs
    • CHEM 131/132: General Chemistry II and Labs
    • CHEM 341: Physical Chemistry I
    • CHEM 351: Physical Chemistry II
    • CHEM 343: Experimental Physical Chemistry
    • CHEM 310: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
    • Dr. Brown currently engages undergraduate students in computational research projects using electronic structure calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. His research interests involve the study of localized processes occurring within large chemical systems. Examples of systems under study are surface adsorptions to carbon nanotubes and ligand-protein interactions. Applications of these projects are diverse, ranging from more sustainable forms of energy usage, electronics, and medicine. Dr. Brown is the author of several research articles in this field and is included in Marcel Dekker's "Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology."
    • Mercyhurst University Teaching Excellence Award, May 2018