Suzanne Ruder received a B.A. in chemistry in 1982 from the College of St. Benedict-St. John’s University (Minnesota) and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Washington State University in 1986. She then went to Brown University as a post-doctoral fellow under the direction of Kathlyn Parker. In 1988 she took a position at Virginia Commonwealth University where she is currently an associate professor of chemistry. Her research interests are in the area of synthetic organic chemistry as well as chemical education. She has been involved in development of POGIL activities for large organic chemistry classes of up to 260 students. In addition she is PI and director of the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program during the summer months. Guided inquiry activities have also been developed for use in orientation activities for both the REU students as well as entering graduate students. She serves on the Steering Committee of the NSF-funded POGIL Project, and is co-PI on a grant from FIPSE to develop and study large-class POGIL.

Suzanne Ruder

Chair, Research Agenda Working Group