Dr. Porter has enjoyed teaching chemistry at Wabash since 2003. He was born in Houston, Texas and earned his B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Houston, having pursued undergraduate research with Professor T. R. Lee. After receiving a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship in 1999, he studied with Professor Jillian M. Buriak at Purdue University and earned his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry. Currently, Dr. Porter’s research focuses on materials chemistry with an emphasis on organic monolayer formation reactions on important substrates, such as silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide. 

Dr. Porter teaches a variety of courses, ranging from introductory and advanced chemistry to freshman tutorial and senior colloquium.  In addition to teaching, he enjoys working with students in his research laboratory exploring nanotechnology and inorganic materials chemistry. Together, they work on developing exotic new materials for electronics fabrication, medical sensors/drug delivery, and other high-tech applications. In his spare time he enjoys watching films, reading science fiction, and playing video and tabletop games. Dr. Porter loves his role as the faculty advisor to the Wabash Dork Club, the campus gaming club. He enjoys living two blocks from campus with his wife and furry, four-footed pets (two dogs and four cats).

Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry, Purdue University, 2003
B.S. in Chemistry, University of Houston, 1999

CHE 101 — Survey of Chemistry
CHE 102 — Forensic Chemistry
CHE 111 — General Chemistry
CHE 211 — Structure and Reactivity
CHE/PHY 302 — Electron Microscopy
CHE 441 — Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CHE 471 — Materials Chemistry

Organic Functionalization of Porous Silicon via Hydrosilylation Pathways: Probing Monolayer Stability through Degradation Studies, Lon A. Porter, Jr., oral presentation, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (2008). –Invited

Using Nanoscience in a Supporting Role: Introducing Nanoscience into an Upper-Level Undergraduate Materials Chemistry course, Lon A. Porter, Jr., oral presentation, Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE), Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (2008).

Using Popular Media References to Nanoscience in the Chemistry Classroom: Read, Watch, and Play On!, Lon A. Porter, Jr., oral presentation, Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE), Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (2008). –Invited

Engaging and Challenging Undergraduates via Interdisciplinary Coursework: A New Learner-Centered Approach to Materials Chemistry, Lon A. Porter, Jr., oral presentation, American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2008).

Comparing Hydrosilylation Routes to Functionalized Porous Silicon, Lon A. Porter, Jr., oral presentation, American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Boston, MA (2007).

Fostering Student Engagement via Interdisciplinary Themes: A Liberal Arts Approach to Chemistry for Non-Majors, Lon A. Porter, Jr., oral presentation, American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Boston, MA (2007).

See: CHEMICAL & ENGINEERING NEWS, Sept. 2007, Vol. 85, No. 38, pp. 38-40, " Chemistry Isn't Just For Majors"

Engaging Non-Majors Beyond Introductory Chemistry: A Liberal Arts Science Course in Forensic Chemistry, Lon A. Porter, Jr., oral presentation, American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Boston, MA (2007).

Functionalized Porous Silicon in a Simulated Gastrointestinal Tract: Modeling the Biocompatibility of a Monolayer Protected Nanostructured Material., Lon A. Porter, Jr., oral presentation, Materials Research Society (MRS) National Meeting, Boston, MA (2007).

(* indicates undergraduate co-author)

Functionalized Porous Silicon in a Simulated Gastrointestinal Tract: Modeling the Biocompatibility of a Monolayer Protected Nanostructured Material, Daniel S. Albrecht*, Jacob T. Lee*, Nick Molby*, Steven D. Rhodes*, Hieu Minh Dam*, Jason L. Siegel*, and Lon A. Porter, Jr., Materials Research Society (MRS) Symposium Proceedings, Volume 1063, OO06-01 (2008).

Introductory Nanoscience and Nanotechnology for Undergraduates: A Liberal Arts Approach, Lon A. Porter, Jr., in Nanoscale Science and Engineering Education: Issues, Trends and Future Directions, edited by Sudipta Seal and Aldrin E. Sweeney, (American Scientific, New York, 2008). –Invited

Chemical Nanotechnology: A Liberal Arts Approach toward a Basic Course in Emerging Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Lon A. Porter, Jr., J. Chem. Educ., 84, 259 (2007).

Nanotechnology and the Future of Bioanalytical Methods, Lon A. Porter, Jr., in Immunoassay and Other Bioanalytical Techniques, edited by Jeanette van Emon, (Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, 2007). –Invited