Edmond Bowden Named Head of Chemistry Department at NC State

Edmond Bowden, a longtime NC State professor and prominent chemist, has been named the new head of the university’s Department of Chemistry.

Bowden has been with NC State since 1984 and was serving as interim department chair prior to his permanent appointment.

As head of the department, Bowden oversees academic, administrative and budgetary matters for 360 students and 39 faculty. The department offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees and features research programs in many areas of chemistry including analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, biological, polymers, materials, nanoscience, theoretical and magnetic resonance.

During his time at NC State, Bowden has directed a research program in bioanalytical chemistry and electrochemistry that has resulted in nearly 60 peer-reviewed publications while also mentoring graduate students and postdocs. His research focuses on the electrochemistry of protein monolayers and enzymes. His group developed an influential method for immobilizing active proteins on electrode surfaces that has fueled important research and development related to biosensors.

Bowden served nine years as director of graduate programs for the department, during which time the program grew by around 30 percent while raising its admission standards. He has taught extensively at all levels, including graduate and advanced undergraduate, and has also taught general chemistry to more than 5,000 first-year students.

He is a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Electrochemical Society and the Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry. He has also served on several National Science Foundation national advisory panels.

Bowden received a Ph.D. in chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University and a B.S. in aerospace engineering from Syracuse University. He did postdoctoral work at the University of Minnesota.