B.S., John Carroll University, University Heights, OH (1999)
Ph.D., Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (2006)
Analytical Chemistry
Dr. Wetzel obtained a B.S. in Chemistry from John Carroll University in 1999. At John Carroll, Bill performed research in both Analytical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry under Dr. Michael Ketterer and Dr. David Ewing, respectively, and enjoyed singing in the John Carroll Concert Choir. After his undergraduate studies, Bill moved to Bloomington, IN where he worked for Professor Gary Hieftje at Indiana University. In the Hieftje Research Group, Bill constructed a time-of-flight mass spectrometer which he used to identify and overcome limitations found in atomic mass spectrometry. He also worked with a number of analytical plasma sources, including an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) and a variety of glow discharges. Bill completed his doctoral dissertation, entitled “Overcoming Interferences in Plasma Source Mass Spectrometry: Alternative Ionization Sources, Novel Correction Methods, and New Instrumentation,” and received a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry in 2006.
Dr. Wetzel began teaching at Thomas More in 2006, and is currently the Department Chairperson and Professor of Chemistry. In addition to teaching General Chemistry, Quantitative Analysis, Instrumental Analysis, and Physical Chemistry, he has been involved with other Thomas More science faculty in the Thomas More STEM Initiative (TSI). He also currently serves on the board of the Science and Engineering Fair of Northern Kentucky (SEFNK). His current research involves the analysis of periodical cicadas, human cremated remains, and bourbon by various instrumental methods, including Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry. Dr. Wetzel has authored five peer-reviewed publications, co-authored eleven publications, co-authored one patent, has reviewed Analytical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry textbooks, and has given contributed and invited research presentations at regional, national, and international conferences. Similarly, Bill’s undergraduate students at Thomas More have presented their research at local, regional, and national conferences, including the Pittsburgh Conference in Analytical Chemistry, the Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium, and Central Regional Meetings of the American Chemical Society.
Selected Publications
Methods and Apparatus for Ionization and Desorption Using a Glow Discharge, Gary M. Hieftje, Steven J. Ray, Francisco J. Andrade, William C. Wetzel, Michael R. Webb, Gerardo Gamez, and Jacob T. Shelley, U.S. Patent Number 7893408.
Clutterbuck, A.A., Caruso, J.A., and Wetzel, W.C., Qualitative Methods for VOC Detection in Condensed Hookah Tobacco and Steam Stone Smoke, Microchem. J., 131, 154-162, (2017).
Wetzel, W.C., Shelby, D.E. and Hieftje, G.M., Overcoming Interferences in Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry via Gas-Flow Modulation: Part 2 – Correlation Methods, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 21(12), 1377-1386 (2006).
Wetzel, W.C., Andrade, F.J., Broekaert, J.A.C., and Hieftje, G.M., Development of a Direct Current He Atmospheric Glow Discharge as an Ionization Source for Elemental Mass Spectrometry via Hydride Generation, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 21(8), 750-756 (2006).
McClenathan, D.M., Ray, S.J, Wetzel, W.C., and Hieftje, G.M., Plasma Source TOFMS, Anal. Chem., 76(9) 159A-166A, (2004).
Wetzel, W.C., Broekaert, J.A.C., and Hieftje, G.M., Determination of arsenic by hydride generation coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry with a gas sampling glow discharge, Spectrochimica Acta, Part B, 57B(6), 1009-1023, (2002).
Ketterer, M.E., Wetzel, W.C., Layman, R.R., Matisoff, G., and Bonniwell, E.C., Isotopic Studies of Sources of Uranium in Sediments of the Ashtabula River, Ohio, U.S.A., Environ. Sci. Technol., 34(6), 966-972, (2000).
Selected Research Presentations
Improved Digestion Methods for Bone Ash and Portland Cement, Amy L. Rice, William C. Wetzel, Kelsey L. Kaht, and Christa A. Currie, Butler University Undergraduate Research Conference, Indianapolis, IN, April 7, 2017.
Considerations for the Analysis of Cremated Remains by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry, William C. Wetzel, Christina A. Farwick, Kelsey L. Kaht, Amy L. Rice, and Christa A. Currie, 2017 Pittsburgh Conference, Chicago, IL, March 5-9, 2017.
Mathematical Strategies for Identifying Cremated Remains, Christina A. Farwick, William C. Wetzel, Kelsey L. Kaht, and Christa A. Currie, 2017 Pittsburgh Conference, Chicago, IL, March 5-9, 2017.
Elemental Profiles of Brood V Periodical Cicadas, Thomas A. Payne, William C. Wetzel, and Amberlie A. Clutterbuck, 2017 Pittsburgh Conference, Chicago, IL, March 5-9, 2017.
Effect of Water on the Chemical Residue of Combusted Accelerants, Kelsey L. Hood and William C. Wetzel, 47th Annual Central Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Covington, KY, May 18-21, 2016.
| Departments | Positions | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Department Chair | Department Chair |
| Chemistry | Faculty | Professor |