Daniel Collins & Gabrielle Risica

Dr. Daniel Collins is currently teaching in the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University after receiving his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in 2012. He previously taught at South Carolina (2012-2013), Presbyterian College (2013) and the Florida State University (2013-2015). His current classes are the General Chemistry CHEM 101/102 series for the First-Year Program. Along with lecturing at Texas A&M, Dr. Collins has helped design and implement three programs focused on assisting students succeed as a first year chemistry student: The Chemistry Reinforcement Module, recitation program for the First-Year courses, and an improved teaching assistant training and observation program. Dr. Collins is also part of Aggie Honor Council, Texas A&M Faculty Senate, and the University Disciplinary Appeals Panel. Outside of his work at Texas A&M, he is an avid sports fan (GO CUBS!), runner, book reader and youth sports volunteer. Ms. Gabrielle Risica is a doctoral student for the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University in the lab of Dr. Michael Nippe. Her current research focuses on the synthesis of molecular magnets. In addition to her graduate, she has taught for the First-Year Program, including CHEM 111 lab as a teaching assistant and CHEM 101/102 lectures as an instructional assistant. Gabrielle is an elected member of the Graduate Student Association of Chemistry where she is the treasurer and chair of the outreach committee. She is also an event coordinator for the Texas State Science Olympiad. Gabrielle completed her B.A. in Liberal Arts at Sarah Lawrence College in 2017 where she helped found the Health and Science Afterschool Program and was a member of the varsity swim team.