ABOUT
Melanie M. Cooper is a professor of chemistry and Lappan-Phillips Professor of Science Education, recognized for her contributions to improving teaching and learning in large-enrollment general and organic chemistry courses. She is a leader in evidence-based curriculum reform, holding joint appointments in the MSU Departments of Chemistry and Teacher Education, and is a faculty member of the CREATE for STEM Institute.
Cooper conducted postdoctoral work in organic chemistry at Clemson University in South Carolina before joining MSU in January 2013. Her dedication to advancing chemistry education is evidenced by her fellowships with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the Royal Society of Chemistry. She also serves on the National Research Council Advisory Board on Science Education. Her honors include the ACS Award for Achievement in Research on Teaching and Learning in Chemistry, the Norris Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Chemistry, and the Outstanding Undergraduate Science Teacher Award from the Society for College Science Teaching. In December 2016, Cooper was awarded an honorary doctorate of science by the University of South Florida.
Cooper was a professor at Clemson University from 1987 to 2012 at Clemson University and became a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2017.
Cooper earned her B.S. in 1975, M.S. in 1976, and Ph.D. in 1978, all from the University of Manchester, England.
