James Cizdziel

Chair and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

James V Cizdziel

Dr. James Cizdziel is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Mississippi. He is also the Coordinator of Forensic Chemistry in the department.

Research Interests

Developing novel analytical methods for Environmental Monitoring and Fingerprinting

Biography

Dr. James Ciezdziel received his bachelor's of science from State University of New York at Buffalo, 1991, and then went on to pursue his Ph.D. from the University of Nevada Reno, 1998. His research interests include analytical, environmental, and forensic chemistry. Dr. Ciezdziel's research group has pioneered methods in determining microplastics and trace elements in environmental and biological samples, the analyses of trace evidence from 3D-printed guns, atmospheric sampling using unmanned aerial vehicles, and the biogeochemical cycling of mercury. He has published over 90 papers and has been funded by the EPA, DOE, NSF, and DOJ. During his time as an instructor, Dr. Ciezdziel has mentored 11 Ph.D. students and 2 MS students. He teaches courses in analytical chemistry, instrumental analysis, and spectroscopy and enjoys working with students to develop new analytical methods or apply methods in novel ways. When not in the laboratory Dr. Ciezdziel enjoy fishing, golfing, hockey, tennis, live music, and traveling.

Courses Taught

  • Chem 251 Introduction to Individual Research
  • Chem 271 Biochemical Concepts
  • Chem 314 Quantitative Analysis
  • Chem 351 Individual Research
  • Chem 441 Forensic Chemistry Senior Research
  • Chem 451 Senior Individual Research
  • Chem 469 Introduction to Instrumental Analysis
  • 512 Advanced Instrumental Analysis
  • Chem 513 Principles of Analytical Chemistry
  • Chem 554 Analytical Environmental Chemistry
  • Chem 563 Applied Spectroscopy
  • Chem 615 Selected Topics in Analytical Chemistry
  • Chem 617 Research Methodology in Chemistry I
  • Chem 618 Chem 618 Research Methodology in Chemistry II
  • Chem 697 Thesis
  • Chem 797 Disertation

Education

B.S. Analytical Chemistry, SUNY at Buffalo (1991)

Ph.D. Environmental Chemistry, University of Nevada-Reno (1998)

Recognitions

  • "Assessing Microplastic Pollution in the Mississippi River System and at Oyster Reefs in the Mississippi Sound Estuary", National Water Resources Institute, (2018-2021)
  • “Physical and Chemical Trace Evidence from 3D-Printed Firearms”, National Institute of Justice, (2018-2021)
  • “Microplastics in the Mississippi River and Mississippi Sound: concentrations, sources, sizes, types, and loadings to the northern Gulf of Mexico”, Water Resource Research Institute and the USGS, (2018-2019)