The best part of Roger Harrison’s work is seeing his students learn and helping them apply their knowledge.
“I appreciate that at BYU I don’t have to choose between teaching and doing research,” he said. “This school gives me great opportunity to find fulfillment.”
For his many years of service to the BYU community, Harrison was honored with the Distinguished Citizenship Award at the college’s annual awards banquet on February 6.
Harrison has been a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for twenty years. He received his bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in 1986 and his PhD in chemistry from the University of Utah in 1993. Following his PhD, Harrison worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota. In 1995, he accepted a position as an assistant professor at BYU.
Harrison’s research interests include molecular recognition, separations by ion chromatography, and nanomaterials. Much of his lab work involves identifying and separating small quantities of contaminates and making molecules that grab on to other molecules. This research is applicable for identifying levels of contaminates in different water sources, including detecting traces of over the counter drugs in Utah Lake and body fluids.
“I enjoy my research, and I feel like I have had success, so that makes me feel like I’m doing what I should. I feel fortunate to enjoy what I do,” he said.
In the coming years, Harrison plans to continue teaching and working to incorporate new technology into his classes to prepare his students for the changing world. He is particularly grateful for this award because it gives him extra research funding to mentor and support more students in his lab.
“There are many qualified and deserving people in the college who could and should get this award,” Harrison said. “You don’t seek an award; you just do your job and invest in the students. They’re why we’re here.”