Faculty News INMEMORIAM Dmitri Vezenov January 21, 1967 - October 29, 2021 Arriving at Lehigh University in January of 2006, Dmitri Vezenov brought a wealth of physical chemistry knowledge from both his educational and research background--as well as his realworld experiences. He demonstrated every day his caring commitment to educating students on the intricacies of physical and surface chemistry, microscopy, and nanomechanics--within a field of science that he relished so deeply . Born and raised in Ryazan (a city in the Russian Federation southwest of Moscow), he earned a B.S. (cum laude) in chemistry fromMoscow State University in 1991. He then travelled to the United States to expand upon this knowledge through a master's program at Case Western Reserve University--earning his M.S. in 1994. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1999. Gathering experience in the industry, Vezenov then worked for several years as a senior engineer and science advisor for a corporation focused on nanoscale optical technology. Returning to Harvard in 2003 as a postdoctoral fellow in chemistry, he worked with the eminent and highly-respected Dr. George M. Whitesides on light sources and optical waveguiding for microfluidic applications. It was while completing his work at Harvard that he applied for the position of assistant professor at Lehigh University and was happy to receive an offer to come to the Lehigh Valley to begin this new role. A skilled professor, he taught courses in general chemistry and physical chemistry, including a course in statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. His research interests included physical and surface chemistry; chemical force microscopy; nanomechanics and analytical microdevices. He received a grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute in 2006 for a project that applied force spectroscopy to DNA. In 2011, he was awarded a patent for a quicker, more efficient method of sequencing DNA. Within his lab, his research interests included intermolecular interactions in soft matter; chemical force microscopy; bionano-photonics; analytical microdevices; controlled synthesis and assembly of materials at mesoscale. He described his research as interdisciplinary, where approaches of chemistry, physics and engineering converge. Vezenov's doctoral student, Bil Leon, appreciated this broad research methodology, stating, "Dmitri was a wonderful mentor . . . who shared a love of science, unending curiosity in the research lab . . . and [who] was always supportive of his students' work and would strive to get the best out of them, working constantly to ensure their success." In addition to his expertise in teaching and research protocols, Vezenov also contributed to a multitude of administrative functions including serving on department committees and serving as faculty search committee chair for several key faculty hires. He served in these roles as he served in his professorial role --greeting each challenge with a smile and a calm response to address concerns and steer the conversation and processes to a positive outcome. Department of Chemistry Chair Greg Ferguson, who worked with Vezenov throughout his tenure at the university, spoke for the entire department when he stated for the Lehigh News, "Dmitri was a kind and generous friend and collegue who never hesitated to help others, whether it was contributing to the preparation of a departmental proposal or sharing his thoughtful insights on research or teaching. We are poorer for his loss, but richer for having had him with us at Lehigh for the past 15 years." Vezenov is survived by his parents; his wife, Marina Busuek, and their three children, Maxim, who holds a BS in Chemical Engineering and Computer Science from Lehigh University and is currently a Lehigh graduate student, Elizabeth, and Zoe; as well as his brother Roman and extended family in Russia. Dmitri spent 15 dedicated years investing in passing along his knowledge and outstanding research skills to the next generation of young scientists. The measure of a man can be seen in what he has done with his life. Through his influence on generations of scientists, the loving family he built with his wife, and the memories he leaves within the department, Dmitri was a giant whose infinite measure will still be felt for succeeding generations to come. Department of Chemistry · Page 15
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