The Department of Chemistry

Dr. Richard Fairman

Lecturer, Inorganic Chemistry

Qualifications

• Ph.D. Inorganic Chemistry UWI, 1994
• B.Sc. (Special Chemistry) UWI, 1989

Research Interests

• Custom Linux Cluster for Computational Chemistry and Molecular Dynamics
• Langmuir Blodgett Studies of Thin Films and Surface Phenomena
• Surface tension studies of molecular assembly
• Synthesis of Unsymmetrically Functionalized Macrocycles and Dendrimers
• Isothermal/Differential Titration/Batch Flow Calorimetry
• Model Systems for Biological Transport Studies (U-tube experiments)
• Conductivity through supported bilayers as model membranes

Professional Experience

• Lecturer, Inorganic Chemistry, UWI, St Augustine 2025
• Head of Department of Chemistry, UWI St Augustine 2018-2024
• Lecturer, Subject Leader 2008-2018
• Adjunct Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, UWI - Instrumental Methods of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2007-2018
• Professional Assistant I, Prof. Peter Pulay, University of Arkansas 2015
• Adjunct Lecturer, Radiopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmacy, UWI 1998-2007
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Manchester, UK 1996
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Oxford, UK 1995
• Assistant Lecturer, UWI, St Augustine 1994
• Programming and Telemetry Consultant - National Water Commission, Jamaica; Alcan Jamaica Company Ltd, Jamaica; Wireless Network System Analysis (MOTOROLA) 1993

Skills

• Programming Languages
• Pascal
• BASH Scripting Language
• Visual Basic (.NET)
• C, C++
• Python
• Linux Operating System
• Secure Shell (SSH) Network protocols
• GCC (GNU Compiler Collection)
• OpenMPI (Message Passing Interface)

UWI Service

• Subject Leader Inorganic Chemistry
• Annual Science Expo for Primary Students of the University School
• Chemistry Representative to Faculty Secondary School Visit Program
• Department Research Seminar Coordinator
• Department Liaison, Board for Graduate Studies and Research (GSR)
• Department Research Projects Coordinator
• Chairman of Faculty Timetable Committee
• Deputy Dean, Student Matters
• Chemistry Department Representative at CariScience
• Software Development: Building a Timetable Program for the Faculty of Science and Agriculture in Pascal

Public Service

• Department Representative: HIV Education Workshop UWI-HARP Eu / SIRHASC
• Faculty Representative at Workshop: Analysing the Agricultural Science Technology and Innovation Systems of the Caribbean
• Member of Planning Committee, National OSHA-NOSH Week
• Judge, UWI National Debating Competition

Courses Taught

• CHEM 1066 Introductory Chemistry I
• CHEM 1067 Introductory Chemistry II
• CHEM 2160 Main Group Chemistry
• CHEM 2170 Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry I
• CHEM 2673 Core Chemistry Laboratory II
• CHEM 3162 Chemistry of Metal Catalysed Transformations
• CHEM 3163 Chemistry of Technologically Important Materials
• CHEM 3167 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
• CHEM 3170 Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry II
• CHEM 3468 Advanced Analytical Chemistry

Research Projects

• Macrocyclic Amphiphiles
• Gemini Surfactants
• Computational Chemistry – Kinetics and Mechanisms

Graduate Students

• 4 Ph.D. Graduates, 4 Masters Graduates, 4 current M.Phil. students

Grants

• Campus Research and Publication Fund TT $74,829 Honey Adulteration Detection 2021
• Campus Research and Publication Fund TT $13,480 Computational Chemistry 2017
• United States National Science Foundation US $10,000 Research Fellowship 2015
• Campus Research and Publication Fund TT $12,171 International Conference 2012
• Campus Research and Publication Fund TT $24,000 Research Chemicals 2011
• Campus Research and Publication Fund TT $19,370 Graduate Student Training 2010
• Campus Research and Publication Fund US $2,990 Research Equipment 2001
• Campus Research and Publication Fund TT $18,000 Oligomeric Surfactants 2000
• Campus Research and Publication Fund TT $25,000 Research Chemicals 1998
• Inter-American Development Bank TT $220,412 Staff Development Award 1996