Rate My Professor David Pursell

Dr. David Pursell serves as Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science in the School of Science and Technology at Georgia Gwinnett College. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from the University of Pennsylvania in 2000, following earlier studies in Chemistry and Science Education at Lehigh University. Prior to joining GGC in 2007, Pursell held the position of Executive Director of Penn Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. His distinguished military career spans 25 years as a U.S. Army combat engineer, during which he served in key roles such as company commander at Fort Drum, New York; battalion plans and operations officer on the Korean DMZ; speechwriter for a three-star general; tactics faculty at the Army Staff College; and chemistry faculty member at the U.S. Military Academy.

At GGC, Pursell served as Associate Dean for the School of Science and Technology from 2007 to 2010 and as administrator of part-time science faculty from 2010 to 2012 before returning to full-time faculty duties. He leads the Pursell Research Group, which employs techniques from biology, chemistry, and physics to address environmental issues impacting the GGC campus ecosystem. A key project involves producing biofuel from waste cooking oil and grease sourced from the campus Chick-fil-A restaurant, characterizing the biofuel, and analyzing combustion exhaust gases. His research interests include biodiesel production, green organic synthesis, course-embedded undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), and improving student success in STEM fields through high-impact practices. Pursell has authored numerous publications, including "Locally Sustainable Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil and Grease Using a Deep Eutectic Solvent: Characterization, Thermal Properties, and Blend Performance" (2021), "Biodiesel Production from Locally Sourced Restaurant Waste Cooking Oil and Grease: Synthesis, Characterization, and Performance Evaluation" (2019), "Enhancing Research Skills and Attitudes in Undergraduate Organic Chemistry with a Course-Embedded Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) via Green Organic Synthesis" (2017), and "Undergraduate Research for All: Addressing the Elephant in the Room" (2016). He has taught courses across all areas of chemistry, environmental law, military strategy, and advanced technologies in military operations.