Jeffrey Weidenhamer, Ph.D.
Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of Chemistry
Director, Honors Program
Director, Mohican District Science Day
419 Kettering Science Center
Department(s)
College
Area of Specialty
Methods for analysis of plant root exudates in soil, contamination of consumer products with heavy metals such as lead and cadmium
Biography
- Joined Ashland University in 1989
- Teaches General Chemistry, courses in analytical chemistry and core science courses, including Science as a Cultural Force and Lead and Civilization
- Mentored more than 50 undergraduate students in research projects
- Research in chemical ecology has been funded by the National Science Foundation
- Research on lead contamination of consumer products resulted in 14 recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission involving more than 1.5 million children’s items, and has been cited in a congressional resolution seeking a ban on U.S. export of electronic waste
Education
- Ph.D. in Biology – The University of South Florida
- M.A. in Analytical Chemistry – Louisiana State University
- M.S. in Agronomy – The Ohio State University
- B.S. in Chemistry – Ashland University
2025-2026 Academic Mentor Award Recipient
"The most valuable thing I have received from Dr. Weidenhamer was his encouragement. He made himself available to speak with if I was struggling in a class or with a research issue. He pushed me to enter scholarship competitions that he thought I could win and assisted me in my graduate school applications. He prayed for me and my family when I was going through hard times and offered a word of advice when I needed it. Dr. Weidenhamer’s confidence in me pushed me to be a better student and a better person, which is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life."
Sydney Vu, Senior, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry