Dr. Melissa A. Collini

Lecturer

University of North Texas

Department of Chemistry

(940) 565-4296

Email: Melissa.Collini@unt.edu

Education

PhD, University of North Texas, 2022

Major: Chemistry Education
Dissertation: The Development of the Attitudes Towards Organic Chemistry Instrument
MS, University of North Texas, 2018

Major: Chemistry
Dissertation: Synthesis and Studies of AzaBODIPY Derived Donor-Acceptor Systems for Light Induced Charge Separation

Licensures and Certifications

Certificate for Excellence in Teaching Online, UNT DSI CLEAR. (2025 - 2025).

Professional Memberships

OranicERS. (May 2025 - Present).
American Chemical Society. (2021 - Present).

Development Activities

Continuing Education Program, Certificate of Excellence in Teaching Online, UNT DSI CLEAR. Denton,Texas,United States of America. (August 2025 - December 2025).
Continuing Education Program, UNT Annual Ethics Training: Ethics and Standards of Conduct, UNT University Integrity & Compliance Office. Denton,Texas,United States of America. (October 26, 2025 - December 26, 2025).
Conference Attendance, ChemEd, ChemEd Conference. United States of America. (July 20, 2025 - July 24, 2025).
Conference Attendance, All-Day Symposium: Bridging Organic Chemistry and Chemistry Education, OrganiCERS & Graulich Research Group. United States of America. (May 2025 - May 2025).
Conference Attendance, American Chemical Society National Conference, American Chemical Society. San Diego,California,United States of America. (March 2025 - March 2025).
Continuing Education Program, UNT Annual Ethics Training: Professional Standards in the Workplace, UNT Compliance Training. United States of America. (August 2024 - September 2024).
Continuing Education Program, UNT FERPA Training, UNT Compliance Training. United States of America. (August 2024 - September 2024).
Continuing Education Program, UNT Policies & Title IX: Preventing Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct & Retaliation (updated: 7.20.24), UNT Compliance Training. United States of America. (August 2024 - September 2024).
Continuing Education Program, University Forum on Teaching and Learning: Generative AI, Office of Faculty Success. Denton,Texas,United States of America. (September 25, 2024 - September 25, 2024).
Continuing Education Program, Texas Cybersecurity Awareness Training, UNT Bridge App. United States of America. (August 2024 - August 2024).
Conference Attendance, Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Education. United States of America. (July 2024 - July 2024).
Conference Attendance, Gordon Research Conference - Chemistry Education Research and Practice, Gordon Research Conference. United States of America. (July 2023 - July 2023).
Conference Attendance, Gordon Research Seminar - Chemistry Education Research and Practice, Gordon Research Conference. United States of America. (July 2023 - July 2023).
Conference Attendance, American Chemical Society National Meeting, American Chemical Society. United States of America. (March 2023 - March 2023).
Conference Attendance, American Chemical Society South WestRegional Meeting (SWRM), American Chemical Society. United States of America. (November 2022 - November 2022).
Conference Attendance, American Chemical Society National Meeting, American Chemical Society. United States of America. (March 2022 - March 2022).
Conference Attendance, American Chemical Society SouthWest Regional Meeting (SWRM), American Chemical Society. United States of America. (November 2021 - November 2021).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

University of North Texas

CHEM 2370 - Organic Chemistry I, 21 courses.
CHEM 2380 - Organic Chemistry II, 12 courses.

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

Journal Article

Collini, M.A., Donkor, B., Harshman, J. (2025). Identifying the underlying challenges that face doctoral education in chemistry. PloS ONE.
Donkor, B., Collini, M.A., Harshman, J. (2024). Doctoral education in chemistry: faculty perspectives on programmatic elements’ goals and outcomes. Chemistry Education Research and Practice.
Donkor, B., Collini, M.A., Jordan, H. (2024). The Goal of Doctoral Education in Chemistry: Faculty Perspectives. Journal of Chemical Education.
Collini, M.A., Miguel, K., Weber, R., Atkinson, M.B. (2024). Investigating changes in students' attitudes towards organic chemistry: a longitudinal study. Chemistry Education Research and Practice. Royal Society of Chemistry.
Collini, M.A., Rocha, L.E., Ford, J.E., Rebecca, W., B, M.B. (2023). Characterizing and identifying influences on undergraduates’ attitudes towards organic chemistry. Chemistry Education Research and Practice.
Collini, M.A., Thomas, M.B., Bandi, V., Karr, P.A., D'Souza, F. (2018). Directly Attached Bisdonor‐BF2 Chelated Azadipyrromethene‐Fullerene Tetrads for Promoting Ground and Excited State Charge Transfer. Chemistry: A European Journal.

Presentations Given

Invited Talk

Collini, M.A. (Presenter), OBU Women in STEM Conference, Lessons as a woman in STEM, OBU Chemistry Outreach, Remote, United States of America. (2026 - 2026).

Oral Presentation

Collini, M.A. (Author & Presenter), Donkor, B. (Author), Harshman, J. (Author), Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Faculty Influence on Transforming Chemistry Doctoral Education, United States of America. (2024 - 2024).
Collini, M.A. (Author & Presenter), Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Faculty Influence on Transforming Chemistry Doctoral Education, United States of America. (2024 - 2024).

Media Contributions

Internet

"What is the Chemistry Behind Curling Ribbons?," Video Reel. (December 2025).

Magazine

"Podcast 'Chemistry for Your Life' Featured in The North Texan," The North Texan. (June 24, 2025).

Radio

"Happy Friday North Texas - Podcast," #HFNT 22: Happy Anniversary, North Texas!. (March 2025).

Contracts, Grants, Sponsored Research

Grant - Teaching

Collini, M.A., "UNT OER Grant for developing open education resources," sponsored by UNT University Libraries, University of North Texas, $3000 Funded. (2024 - 2025).

Service

University Service

Committee Member, Academic Dishonesty Appeals Committee. (August 2025 - Present).
Member, Chemistry Education Division. (November 2024 - Present).
Committee Member, Digital Public Relations Committee. (September 2024 - Present).
Other (Mentor to undergraduate students), Mentorship to undergraduate students. (August 2024 - Present).
Reference Writer, Student Reference Writer. (January 2026 - December 2026).
Reference Writer, College of Science Scholarships. (January 2026 - February 13, 2026).
Other (Mentor to PLTL leaders), PLTL Leader Mentorship. (January 2025 - December 2025).
Other (Mentor to TAs/Graduate students), TA/Graduate student mentorship. (January 2025 - December 2025).
Reference Writer, Writing Recommendation Letters. (January 2025 - December 2025).
Committee Member, HPAC advising comittee. (October 2024 - May 15, 2025).
Other (Mentor to TAs/Graduate students), TA/Graduate student mentorship. (August 2024 - December 2024).

Public Service

Other (Creator, Co-Host), Chemistry For Your Life. (August 2019 - Present).
Other (Creator), Database of context-based examples by chemical concept for educators. (August 2019 - Present).
Other (Creator), Database of instructional materials/curricula for educators. (August 2019 - Present).

Professional Service

Committee Member, Division of Chemistry Education Early Career Chemistry Education Scholars Committee. (January 2024 - Present).
Reviewer, Journal Article, Journal of Chemical Education. (November 2024 - November 2024).
Reviewer, Journal Article, Journal of Chemical Education. (August 2024 - August 2024).
Reviewer, Journal Article, Journal of Chemical Education. (July 2024 - July 2024).
Reviewer, Journal Article, Chemistry Education Research and Practice. (June 2024 - June 2024).
Reviewer, Journal Article, Chemistry Education Research and Practice. (April 2024 - April 2024).
Reviewer, Journal Article, Chemistry Education Research and Practice. (March 2024 - March 2024).