Chemistry and Biochemistry

Department Chair

  • Daniel Moriarty
    Associate Professor Chemistry
    Morrell Science Center 219
    (518) 783-2472
    dmoriarty@siena.edu

Dr. Jason Hofstein

Email: jhofstein@siena.edu

Educational Background

B. E. Chemical Engineering, 1993, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, New York, NY

Graduate Education

Ph.D., 1999, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York

Courses Taught

  • General Chemistry I
    • Chem 110 and associated lab
  • General Chemistry II
    • Chem 120 and associated lab
  • Integrated Lab I
    • CHEM 316
  • Physical Chemistry I
    • CHEM 310
  • Physical Chemistry II
    • CHEM 320

Reasearch Interests

My research is in physical chemistry, particularly in the field of high-resolution laser absorption spectroscopy. Using Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy, a technique that is similar to conventional absorption spectroscopy (only orders of magnitude more sensitive), as well as molecular modeling, I address fundamental and applied problems in chemistry and chemical physics. Planned research efforts include temperature-dependent combustion chemistry of aromatics, peptide and polymer dynamics in multiple phases, monitoring of chemical markers in environmental tobacco smoke emissions from the lungs of smokers, developing an early warning sensor for asthma suffers, and development of a low-cost, high-resolution replacement for conventional Breathalyzers.

Recent Publications

  1. CHE 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory A: Workbook 2002-2003, Dr. Jason D. Hofstein and Marjorie Kandel, McGraw-Hill, 2002.
  2. CHE 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory A: Workbook 2001-2002, Dr. Jason D. Hofstein and Marjorie Kandel, McGraw-Hill, 2001.
  3. Enhancing Student Preparation for Laboratory Courses via Web-Based Multimedia Presentations, Presidential Mini- Grant for Innovative Teaching Projects. Awarded Spring 2001.
  4. "Reassessing the orbitals of pi systems using photoinduced Rydberg ionization spectroscopy", P.M. Johnson, R. Anand, J.D. Hofstein and J.E. LeClaire, J. Electron Spectrosc. 108 (1-3), 177-187, July 2000.
  5. "MATI and PIRI spectroscopy of the X and A state of trans-1, 3-butadiene cation", J. Hofstein and P. M. Johnson, Chem. Phys. Lett. 316 (3-4), 229 - 237 (2000).
  6. Assignment of the B+ state of the chlorobenzene cation using photoionization Rydberg ionization (PIRI) spectroscopy., R. Anand, J.D. Hofstein, J. E. LeClaire, P. M. Johnson, and C. Cossart-Magos, J. Phys. Chem., 103, 8927-8934 (1999).
  7. "A comparative investigation of Rydberg state survival in several molecules using Mass Analyzed Threshold Ionization", J. Hofstein, J. Goode and P. M. Johnson, Chem. Phys. Lett, 301 (1-2), 121-130, 1999.
  8. "The observation of strong pseudo-Jahn-Teller activity in the benzene cation (B 2E2g) state", J. Goode, J. Hofstein and P. Johnson, J. Chem. Phys. 107, 1703 (1997).

Recent Oral Presentations

  1. Spring 2004: Invited Speaker – Siena College – Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Title of talk: Quantum Dots: Quantum Mechanics, Absorption Spectroscopy, and the Wonderful World of Approximations.
  2. Spring 2000: Invited Speaker – SUNY at Stony Brook – Department of Chemistry. Title of talk: The physical and chemical properties of carbon dioxide.
  3. Fall 1998: Invited Speaker - AIChE sponsored seminar - Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering - The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Title of talk: High Resolution Spectroscopy: A Guided Tour.
  4. Fall 1996: Seminar – SUNY at Stony Brook – Department of Chemistry. Title of talk: “Table Top” Soft x-ray Lasers: Some Concepts and Applications.