Education

• Ph.D., Chemistry, Purdue University (1985)
• B.Sc., Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University University (1980)

Dr. Dominick Casadonte has been teaching at Texas Tech since 1989 and is currently chairman of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His research interests include the chemical effects of high-intensity ultrasound, environmental remediation, supramolecular chemistry, design of photoactive metallopolymers, and photochemistry. For example, he uses ultrasound as an effective tool for removing hydrocarbon contaminants from aqueous media. This process may prove effective in the environmental remediation of waterborne pollutants.

Dr. Casadonte enjoys teaching because he likes the freshness of the students, their inquisitiveness, and the fact that they are eager to learn. He also says the faculty and administration are friendly and helpful, which creates a nice community atmosphere. Casadonte plans on staying at Texas Tech for many years. “My plans for the future are right now inextricably tied up with the plans for the future of the department,” Casadonte says. “One of our stated goals is to move the chemistry department into the top 50 in the country.”

Dr. Casadonte is an active member of Habit for Humanity, and his happiest moments are when he sees that his efforts have bettered the lives of others. From a student’s "aha" moment to getting a homeless person off the street, Dr. Casadonte’s happiness and goodwill rub off on everyone he meets.

Courses Taught
Principles of Chemistry

Selected Publications

• "Enhancing Sonochemical Degradation of Environmental Contaminants Using Power-Modulated Pulsed Ultrasound: An Initial Study,“ Casadonte, Jr., D.J.; Petrier, C.; Flores, M. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 2005, 12(3), 147-152.
•  "Facile Sonochemical Synthesis of Graphite Intercalation Compounds,“ Jones, J. E.; Cheshire, M. C.; Casadonte, Jr., D.J.; Phifer, C.C. Org. Letts. 2004, 6(12), 1915-1917.
• "Photobleaching Comparison of Poly(methylphenylsilylene) and Poly(phenylsilyne)," Thomes Jr., W.J.; Simmons-Potter, K.; Phifer, C.C.; Potter Jr., B. G.; Jamison, G.M.; Jones, J.E.; Casadonte, Jr., D.J. J. App. Phys. 2004, 96(11),  6313-6318.
• "Methanol Electrochemical Oxidation at Nanometer-Scale PtRu Materials,“ Korzeniewski, C.; Basnayake, R.; Vijayaraghavan, G.; Li, Z.; Shanhon, X.; Casadonte, D.J. Surface Sci. 2004, 573 (1), 100-108.
• "The Use of Pulsed Ultrasound Technology to Improve Environmental Remediation: A Comparative Study," Casadonte, Jr., D.J.; Flores, M.; Petrier, C. Environmental Technology 2004, Accepted for Publication.
• "Variable Frequency Sonochemistry I: Design of a Variable Frequency Sonicator," Wayment, D.G.; Casadonte, Jr., D.J. Ultrasonics: Sonochemistry 2002, 9(4), 189-195.
• "Variable Frequency Sonochemistry II: Frequency Dependence of the Sonochemical Degradation of Alachlor,“ Wayment, D.G.; Casadonte, Jr., D.J. Ultrasonics: Sonochemistry 2002, 9(6) 251-257.