Research Areas
The primary area of research for the Yestrebsky group is Chemistry Education at the college level. At UCF, we have unique opportunities to study learning science in very large classroom environments as well as smaller classrooms and laboratories. The interaction of faculty and students in these learning spaces greatly impacts the success of students in the first years of college-level science education. Additionally, on-line learning has only been popular for the past two decades. Much is still missing in our knowledge of science education through distance learning. UCF has a high number of students who transfer from state colleges and community colleges in addition to a population rich in diversity. Understanding how we can help students from a variety of educational and life backgrounds improve learn in the STEM disciplines drives our research efforts.
Presentations
Presentations in Past Five Years
Cherie L. Yestrebsky. Novel Degradation Methods for Environmental Contaminants: Kinetics and Mechanisms through to Development of Industrial Remediation Technologies. Florida Southern College, Lakeland Florida. October 9, 2014.
Cherie L. Yestrebsky. Flipping a large general chemistry class: Comparisons of results with traditional lecture and suggestions for success. 2014 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education. Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan. August 3-7, 2014.
Cherie L. Yestrebsky, Erin Saitta. Transforming the Freshman Chemistry Laboratory Program at a Large Research University. 2014 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education. Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan. August 3-7, 2014.
Cherie L. Yestrebsky, C. A. Clausen, Douglas Tomlin. Hydrodefluorination of Decafluoropentane in Aqueous Media using Mg-Pd/C. 97th Canadian Chemical Conference and Exhibition. May 2014, Vancouver, B. C., Canada.
Cherie L. Yestrebsky, C. A. Clausen, Marc Elie. Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and their Oxygenated Derivatives Using Magnesium and a Co-solvent System. 97th Canadian Chemical Conference and Exhibition. May 2014, Vancouver, B. C., Canada.
Juan C. Rueda, Andrew A. Randall, Chuck Davis, Carolina Franco, Cherie L. Yestrebsky. Toxicity Studies of Akga/Hydrazines Degradation Byproducts and Their Compatibility with Sewage Treatment Plant Operation. JANNAF 2014, Charleston S.C., May 2014.
Carolina Franco, Chuck Davis, Rodolfo Martinez, David Glass, and Cherie L. Yestrebsky. Laboratory Study of Alpha-Ketoglutacric Acid Treatment of Hypergolic Fuel Waste Streams. JANNAF 2014, Charleston S.C., May 2014.
Carolina Franco, Chuck Davis, Rodolfo Martinez, David Glass, and Cherie L. Yestrebsky. Investigation of Interferences in the Degradation of Hydrazine and Monomethylhydrazine. JANNAF 2014, Charleston S.C., May 2014.
Edwards, Erin K., Cherie Yestrebsky, Erin K. H. Saitta. Transforming the General Chemistry Program at a Large Research University. World Conference on Educational Sciences, University of Malta, Malta, February 2014.
Yestrebsky, Cherie L. Flipping the Classroom in a Large Chemistry Class-Research University Environment. World Conference on Educational Sciences, University of Malta, Malta, February 2014.
Novaes-Card, S.E.; Clausen, Christian A.; Yestrebsky, Cherie L. Optimization of a Two-Step Soil Washing Process for Extraction and Dechlorination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls. Presented at the 89th Annual Florida Annual Meeting and Exhibition of the American Chemical Society Florida Section, Palm Harbor, FL, May 9-11, 2013.
Novaes-Card, Simone E.; Clausen, C.A.; Yestrebsky, C.L. Towards Greener Soil Washing: A Two-Step Process for Extraction and Dechlorination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls. Presented at the 245th American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition, New Orleans, LA, April 7-11, 2013.
Novaes-Card, Simone E.; Groenevelt, H.; Secker, S.; Clausen, C.A.; Yestrebsky, C.L. A Field Study on the Removal and Destruction of Polychlorinated Biphenyls from Vertical Painted Surfaces. Presented at the 49th Annual Florida Pesticide Residue Workshop/North American Chemical Residue Workshop, St. Petersburg Beach, FL, July 14-18, 2012.
Patel, J., C. Franco, D.J. Diaz. An Innovative Method for Oxidizing Hydrogen Sulfide using Hydroxyl Radicals. Presented at the Odors and Air Pollutants, WEF Meeting, Louisville, KY, April 15-18, 2012.
Franco, J., R. Martinez, D. Glass, C. Davis, C.A. Clausen, C.L. Yestrebsky. Potential Treatment of Toxic Hypergolic Fuels Waste Streams. Presented at the 89th FAME/ACS Meeting, Palm Harbor, FL, May 9-11, 2013.
Patel, J., Josh Knorr, Amit Kumar, Diego Díaz, Cherie Yestrebsky. Non-enzymatic amperometric hydrogen peroxide sensor for biological applications, Presented at the ACS 245th National Meeting, New Orleans, FL, April 7-11 2013. (Poster)
Patel, J., Josh Knorr, Amit Kumar, Diego Díaz, Cherie Yestrebsky Non-enzymatic amperometric hydrogen peroxide sensor for biological applications, Presented at the Graduate Research Forum, University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL, April 2013.
Williamson, R., C. L. Geiger, C. A. Clausen. Feasibility Study on the Use of Pseudomonas putida and Psuedomonas fluorescens for the Biodegradation of Oxygenated
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons. Presented at the 245st ACS Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 7-11, 2013.
Williamson, R., C. L. Geiger, C. A. Clausen. Feasibility Study on the Use of Pseudomonas putida and Psuedomonas fluorescens for the Biodegradation of Oxygenated Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons. Presented at the UCF Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence, Orlando, FL, April 4, 2013.
Legron-Rodriguez, T., C. L. Yestrebsky, C. Clausen. Development of an in situ Remediation Technology for PCB Contaminated Concrete. Presented at the University of Central Florida 10th Graduate Research Forum. April 2, 2013.
Bookstaver, K., C. Clausen, C. L. Yestrebsky. Green Solvents for Precision Cleaning Aerospace Components. Presented at the UCF Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence, Orlando, FL, April 4, 2013.
Hernandez, V., C. A. Clausen, C. L. Yestrebsky, DDT Dechlorination with Magnesium and Acidified Alcohol. Presented at the UCF Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence, Orlando, FL, April 4, 2013.
Hernandez, V., C. A. Clausen, C. L. Yestrebsky, DDT Dechlorination with Magnesium and Acidified Alcohol. Presented at the 245st ACS Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 7-11, 2013.
Legron-Rodriguez, T., Clausen, C., Yestrebsky, C. Laboratory Studies for the Development of an in situ Remediation Technology for Polychlorinated Biphenyl Contaminated Concrete. Presented at the 89th Florida Annual Meeting and Exposition of the ACS, Palm Harbor, FL, May 9-11, 2013.
Elie, M.R.; Geiger, C.L.; Clausen, C. Activated Magnesium/ethanol System for the Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. 76th Annual Florida Academy of Sciences Meeting (Tampa, FL), 2012.
Novaes-Card, S.E.; Groenevelt, H.; Secker, S.; Yestrebsky, C.L.; Clausen, C.A. 2012 Proceedings Booklet, 2012 Graduate Research Forum, Orlando, FL, April 3, 2012; University of Central Florida: Orlando, FL, 2012.
P. Maloney, C. Clausen, C. Geiger, J.W. Quinn, and R.W. DeVor. Degradation of Various Organochlorine Pesticides by Microscale Magnesium and Acidified Ethanol: Proof of Concept and Potential Field Applications. Platform presentation, 8th International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds. May 21-24, 2012. (Invited)
A. Gerszuny, A.; Legron-Rodriguez, T.; Yestrebsky, C. L. Degradation of Chlordane Using Magnesium and Acidified Alcohol. Presented at the 2012 Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence, Orlando, FL, April, 2012.
C.L. Geiger, C.A. Clausen, S. Novaes-Card, C. Acevedo Parra, J.W. Quinn, G. Booth. Degrading Aroclor 1248 and 1260 in Wet and Dry Soils from a Contaminated Site. The Sixth Battelle Sediment Conference. New Orleans, February, 2011.
T. Krug, S. O’Hara, J. Quinn, C. Clausen, C. Geiger, N. Ruiz. Activated Magnesium for Treatment of PCBs in Building Materials. The Sixth Battelle Sediment Conference. New Orleans, February, 2011.
T. Krug, S. O’Hara, C. Geiger, N. Ruiz, H. Groenevelt and B. Steets. Source Control of PCB in Building Materials to Mitigate Stormwater Impacts. CASQA Seventh Annual Stormwater Conference. September 26 – 28, 2011, Monterey, California.
Elie, M.R.; Geiger, C.L.; Clausen, C. Remediation of Environmental Contaminants with Active Metal Particles in Liquid Membranes Systems. Platform presentation, Material Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting (Boston, MA), 2011. (Invited)
Fidler-Albo, R., C. L. Geiger, T. Legron, C. A. Clausen. Development of a Remediation Technology for Energetic Compounds (TNT, RDX, Nitrocellulose, and TATP). Battelle 7th International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds 2006, Monterey, CA, May 23-28, 2010.
Novaes-Card, S., C. L. Geiger, P. Maloney, C. Clausen. Magnesium and Acetic Acid/Ethanol Solution for Degradation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls: From Laboratory Kinetics to Application. Battelle 7th International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds, Monterey, CA, May 23-28, 2010.
Saitta, E.H. Engaging STEM: A case study in chemistry education and community partnerships. Accepted to be presented at 21st Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Denton TX. August 2010
Saitta, E.H.; Bowdan, M.; Geiger, C. Engaging Stem: Using Emerging Technologies To Initiate Service Learning Into University Chemistry Courses. FAME conference, Tampa, FL. May 2010
Selected Publications
Publications In Last 10 Years
- Saitta, E.K., Gittings, M.J., Clausen, C.A., Quinn J., Yestrebsky, C.L. (2015) Case Study of a Non-Destructive Treatment Method for the Remediation of Military Structures Containing Polychlorinated Biphenyl Contaminated Paint. Accepted by Journal of Environmental Management.
- Rueda, J.C., Randall, A.A., Davis, C., Franco, C., Yestrebsky, C.L. (2015) Toxicity Studies of AKGA/Hydrazines Degradation Byproducts and their Compatibility with Sewage Treatment Plant Operation. Environmental Engineering Science, 32(2): 71-85.
- Maloney, P., Clausen, C.A., Yestrebsky, C.L. Degradation and Kinetics of Organochlorine Pesticides, PBDE, and Chlorinated Dioxins Using Mg and Mg/C. Submitted to Chemosphere, submitted 12/2014.
- Tomlin, D., Clausen, C.A., Yestrebsky, C.L. Catalytic Hydrodefluorination of Decafluoropentane by Mg-Pd/C in Aqueous Media via Bimetallic Activation of the C-F Bond. Environmental Science & Technology, submitted 12/2014.
- Elie, M.R., Clausen, C.A., Yestrebsky, C.L. (2014) Application of a Magnesium/co-solvent System for the Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and their Oxygenated Derivatives in Spiked Soil. Chemosphere, Issue 117, pp. 793-800.
- Edwards, E.K., Yestrebsky, C.L., Saitta, E.K. (2014) Transforming the General Chemistry Program at a Large Research University. Proceedia Social and Behavioral Sciences. Accepted 9/2014.
- Yestrebsky, C.L. (2014) Flipping the Classroom in a Large Chemistry Class-Research University Environment. Proceedia Social and Behavioral Sciences. Accepted 9/2014
- Saitta, E.K., Gittings, M.J., Clausen, C.A., Quinn, J., Yestrebsky, C.L. (2014) Laboratory Evaluation of a Prospective Remediation Method for PCB-Contaminated Paint. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 12:57. doi:10.1186/2052-336X-12-57.
- Elie, M.R., Clausen, C.A., Yestrebsky, C.L. (2013) Multivariate Evaluation and Optimization of an Activated-magnesium/co-solvent System for the Reductive Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Journal of Hazardous Materials, pp. 248- 249, 150- 158.
- Elie, M.R., Clausen, C.A., Yestrebsky, C.L. (2013) Degradation of Oxygenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (OPAHs): A Chemical reduction Treatment. Chemosphere, Issue 91, pp. 1273-1280.
- Patel, J., Franco, C., Diaz, D.J., Yestrebsky, C.L. (2013) Indirect Determination of Hydroxyl Radicals in Fine Particle Mist Generated from an Odor Control Technology Via HPLC. Ozone: Science & Engineering.
- Elie, M.R., Geiger, C.L., Clausen, C.A. (2012) Reduction of Benzo[a]pyrene with Acid-activated Magnesium Metal in ethanol: a Possible Application for Environmental remediation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, Pp. 203-204, 77-85.
- Young, C., Georgiopoulos, M., Hagen, S., Geiger, C.L., Falls, M., Islas, A., Ramsey, P., Lancey, Forde, D., Smith, E. (2011) Improving student learning in calculus through applications. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 42:5, 591-604.
- Saitta, E.K., Bowden, M., Geiger, C.L. (2011) Incorporating service-learning, technology, and research supportive teaching techniques in the university classroom. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 20, 790-795.
- Maloney, P., Devor, R., Novaes-Card, S., Saitta, E., Quinn, J., Clausen, C.A., Geiger, C.L. (2011) Dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls using magnesium and acidified alcohols. Journal of Hazardous Materials, Issue 187 (1-3), 235-40.
- Coutts, J.L., Devor, R.W., Aitken, B., Hampton, M.D., Quinn, J.W., Clausen, C.A., Geiger, C.L. (2011) The Use of Mechanical Alloying for the Preparation of Palladized Magnesium Bimetallic Particles for the Remediation of PCBs. Journal of Hazardous Materials, Issue 193(3), 1380-1387.
- Saitta, E.H., Gittings, M., Geiger, C.L. (2011) Learning Dimensional Analysis through Collaboratively Working with Manipulatives. Journal of Chemistry Education, Issue 88, 910-915.
- Hermanussen, M., Godina, E., Ruhili, F.J., Blaha, P., Boldsen, J.L., Van Buuren, S., MacIntyre, M., Abmann, C., Ghosh, A., de Stephano, G.F., Sonkin, V.D., Tresguerres, J.A.F., Meigen, C., Scheffler, C., Geiger, C.L., Lieberman, L.S. (2009) Growth variant, final height and secular trends. Proceedings of the 17th Aschauer Soiree. HOMO-Journal of Comparative Human Biology, Issue 61, 277-284
- Fidler, R., Albo, L., Legron, T., Gittings, M.J., Ellis, M.R., Holland, Saitta, E., Sigman, M.E., Geiger, C.L., Clausen, C.A. (2010) Degradation of Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) Using Mechanically Alloyed Mg/Pd. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 35, 100-104.
- DeVor R., Carvalho-Knighton, K., Aitken, B., Maloney, P., Holland, E., Talalaj, L., Elsheimer, S., Clausen, C.A., Geiger, C.L. (2009) Mechanism of the degradation of individual PCB congeners using mechanically alloyed Mg/Pd in methanol. Chemosphere, 76, 761-766.
- DeVor, R., Carvalho-Knighton, K., Aitken, B., Maloney, P., Holland, E., Talalaj, L., Fidler, R.,
Elsheimer, S., Clausen, C.A., Geiger, C.L. (2008) Dechlorination comparison of mono-substituted PCBs with Mg/Pd in different solvent systems. Chemosphere, 73, 896-900. - Sigman, M.E., Clark, C.D., Fidler, R.F., Geiger, C.L., Clausen, C,A. (2006) Analysis of Triacetone Triperoxide by Gas Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry by Electron and Chemical Ionization. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 20:19, 2851-2857.
Highlights
Professional Service
National Councilor Orlando Section American Chemical Society: 2001-2004
State Section Chair Environmental and Chemical Sciences, Florida Academy of Sciences: March 1999-March 2000 and March 2002-2003
President, Florida Academy of Sciences: March 2003-March 2005
Reviewer for over 30 journals
Awards
2011 Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Award presented by UCF for outstanding efforts in research in the teaching enterprise
2011 Teaching Incentive Program (TIP) Award presented by UCF for outstanding efforts in teaching
2008 UCF Women Making History Award
2007 NASA Blue Marble Award
2007 Inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame
2007 Tech Museum of Innovation Award Intel Environmental Laureate
2006 Federal Laboratory Consortium Southeastern Award
2006 Federal Laboratory Consortium National Award
2006 KSC-NASA Environment and Energy Award
2006 2005 NASA Government Invention of the Year Award for “Zero-valent metal emulsion for reductive dehalogenation of DNAPLs”
2006 2005 NASA Commercial Invention of the Year Award for “Zero-valent metal emulsion for reductive dehalogenation of DNAPLs”
2006 NASA Space Act Award
2006 Teaching Incentive Program (TIP) Award presented by UCF for outstanding efforts in teaching
2005 Research Incentive Award: Award presented by UCF for outstanding efforts in research
2004 Gold Quality Dollar Award presented by National Aeronautics and Space Administration for continual improvement in research innovation.
2002 College Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award presented by UCF for outstanding efforts in teaching
2001 Outstanding Chemist Award presented by the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society
2001 Teaching Incentive Program (TIP) Award presented by UCF for outstanding efforts in teaching
Other Highlights
March, 2008: At “Women making History Celebration 2008” ceremony the following faculty were recognized as women that enhance research and leadership capacity of UCF. Kimiko Akita (Communication), Archana Dubey (Physics), Cherie Geiger (Chemistry), Linda Walters (Biology), Jane Waterman (Biology) and Cynthia Young (Math). We honor them during Women’s History Month at the Women Making History Luncheon.
April, 2007: Christian Clausen, Cherie Geiger and Debra Reinhart, professors at UCF, will be inducted in the Space Technology Hall of Fame next week for their role in developing the Emulsified Zero-Valent Iron, or EZVI. They worked with NASA scientists at the Kennedy Space Center to develop the technology that cleans contaminated sites and is environmentally friendly. The professors teach in the chemistry and civil and environmental engineering departments.
