Russell Franks

I am Dr. Russell J. Franks, a dedicated chemist with a passion for education and research. My academic journey began at Stephen F. Austin State University where I earned my B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry in 1994 and 1996 respectively. I furthered my studies at the University of Oklahoma, earning a Ph.D. in Chemistry with an emphasis in Organic & Organometallic Chemistry in 2002. My dissertation was titled “Palladium-Catalyzed Carboxylative Coupling Reactions of Allyltributylstannanes and Allyl Chloride” under the guidance of George Lynn Cross Research Professor Emeritus Kenneth M. Nicholas.

My professional journey has been marked by various roles in academia. I served as a Graduate Assistant at both Stephen F. Austin State University and the University of Oklahoma. I then became a Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma from January 2003 to May 2005. Since July 2005, I have been serving as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Throughout my career, I have contributed to numerous publications and presentations, focusing on topics such as the synthesis and characterization of fatty acid methyl ester mixtures and the effects of an ionic liquid on the synthesis of biodiesel fuels. I have also supervised numerous research students and served on several Master’s Thesis Committees.

In addition to my academic responsibilities, I have been actively involved in professional service, serving on various committees at the department, college, and university levels. I am also a member of several professional affiliations including the American Chemical Society, the American Oil Chemists Society, the Council on Undergraduate Research, and the Texas Academy of Science.

My dedication to my field has been recognized with several honors and awards, including the C.A. Baumberger Foundation Scholarship, the R.A. Welch Foundation Research Scholarship, the Phillips Petroleum Scholarship, the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award from the University of Oklahoma, and the Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre Health-Professions Outstanding Professor Award from Stephen F. Austin State University.