The Maverick Spirit of Exploration and Discovery into Retirement

LSU College of Science Associate Dean and Department of Chemistry Professor Andrew Maverick dedicated 37 remarkable years to LSU as an administrator, researcher, educator, and mentor. Maverick's passion for discovery remained undiminished from his early fascination with science, ignited by childhood experiences, to his research in inorganic photochemistry and supramolecular chemistry. As he embarks into retirement, we celebrate his lasting impact on LSU and the broader chemistry community, sharing his legacy of exploration and a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.

 

Early Years

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Andrew Maverick’s interest in science sparked during a summer space camp where he built a solar system model. The experience led him to explore books on astronomy at his local library, and he still remembers being captivated by the sight of a total lunar eclipse during a childhood camping trip. 

A few years later, Maverick's engineer father brought pieces of laminated glass used for windshields to demonstrate at his elementary school. The introduction to this technology captivated Maverick’s curiosity. They would drop various items on the glass, observing which would break, thus introducing him to experimentation. 

In high school, Maverick's interest took a new direction towards photochemistry. Inspired by a project in a column in Scientific American Magazine for amateur scientists, Maverick replicated an experiment where he shone a light into a solution to create a polymer. His mother, who taught chemistry at a community college, supported this interest by obtaining the necessary chemicals for his experiments. 

During this time, Maverick's mother returned to graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry. Maverick often accompanied her to UCLA's campus, where he learned about her work in crystallography and also how graduate study works. Little did he know then that these early experiences would later emerge as areas of research interest in his career. 

 

College Years

After graduating from high school, Maverick enrolled at Carleton College, where he pursued a degree in chemistry. His introduction to research as an undergraduate came through a first-year seminar course that involved fieldwork in geology, requiring open exploration and assessments. 

Maverick continued his research journey in Professor Jerry Mohrig’s laboratory, where he studied organic diazonium ions and new reaction mechanisms for their decomposition. The research led to his first publication as a co-author, marking a significant milestone in his academic and research career.

During his junior year, Maverick interned at 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he deepened his research skills in the corporate sector. He worked on a project investigating the properties of a new polyester for potential use in next-generation automobile tire cords. 

After completing the internship, Maverick returned to Carleton College and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry in 1975. Uncertain about whether to pursue a future in geology or chemistry, he applied to graduate programs in both fields while considering a life-changing experience centered on volunteerism and teaching. 

Choosing to defer his graduate school acceptance, Maverick embarked on an enriching journey with the Peace Corps, where he was deployed to Ghana, West Africa. There, he taught high school physics and chemistry, an experience that ignited his interest in education and teaching.

“This was a wonderful opportunity to see a new part of the world while learning about the perspectives of international students and education systems. It helped me see teaching as a viable career option,” Maverick said.

After completing his two-year Peace Corps assignment, Maverick enrolled in the California Institute of Technology chemistry doctoral program. He joined Professor Harry Gray's laboratory, where he first met LSU Chemistry Professor Les Butler, who was a postdoctoral researcher in the same lab. 

During his graduate studies, Maverick delved into inorganic photochemistry, focusing on rhodium and molybdenum compounds. Although he chose to pursue a graduate program in chemistry, Maverick’s interest in geology persisted. He took several geology classes that aligned with his interest in crystals and crystal structures. 

His graduate study was related to solar energy conversion, an area of research that would remain a central theme throughout his career.

 

Research Career

Maverick comes from an academic lineage (three grandparents, an uncle, and both parents were faculty in higher education), so he felt well supported in starting as an assistant professor at Washington University in the fall of 1981. There, he met now LSU Chemistry Professor Emeritus George Stanley and spent six years as an assistant professor.

Maverick’s career took an unexpected turn when he was not awarded tenure, a setback many might choose to keep private. However, Maverick now embraces this experience, openly sharing it as part of his journey. The obstacle shaped his resilience and led to new opportunities and a fresh start in his academic career. Speaking of new opportunities, St. Louis was also where he met Anne Beattie; they were married in 1983 and have just celebrated 41 years of marriage.

“When I was searching for a new opportunity and learned about the opening at LSU, I immediately knew it was the right choice, particularly because of the X-ray crystallography facility managed by Frank Fronczek,” Maverick reflected. “The fact that LSU was willing to consider someone who hadn’t secured tenure at their previous institution spoke volumes about the kind of place LSU is. It was an easy decision. I joined the LSU faculty with great optimism.”

One of Maverick's early research projects involved a collaboration with Professor Greg Griffin from LSU’s chemical engineering department. The project centered on chemical vapor deposition, a technique that utilizes volatile inorganic compounds to create thin films of materials, potentially applicable in microelectronics. Their primary objective was to deposit layers of copper metal, which could serve as the conductive pathways connecting integrated circuits in microelectronic devices. 

Another area of research interest that began and continued throughout his career was inorganic supramolecular chemistry, a field centered on assembling large, complex structures from smaller building blocks to discover structures that exhibit unique properties or reactivity. His work focused on two areas where supramolecular chemistry is applied: transport and delivery and redox catalysis. 

In redox catalysis, the Maverick group searched for metal-containing compounds that could efficiently react with molecules like oxygen and carbon dioxide. At one point, the team believed they had discovered a molecule capable of reacting with carbon dioxide, a finding that held significant promise for advancing energy solutions and addressing climate change. However, after further investigation, they realized the results were inaccurate, which ultimately led them to retract their publication.

Reflecting on the experience, Maverick emphasized the importance of integrity in research. “When you realize something is wrong, it’s essential to come forward, acknowledge the mistake, and correct the record.”

His commitment to scientific exploration, coupled with an emphasis on rigor and transparency, led to many discoveries in his lab driven by his students’ and postdoctoral researchers' insight and persistence. Over the years, Maverick advised 55 undergraduate researchers, 8 master's students, 18 PhD students, and 10 postdoctoral researchers. 

“My group members entrusted me with their education, but they also made many important and original contributions to the work. Their collaboration not only advanced the research but also enriched the educational experience for everyone involved,” Maverick stated. “I am deeply grateful for their hard work and dedication throughout my years as their advisor; they are why my choice to become a professor has been truly worthwhile.”

 

Administration Years

In addition to his contributions to research, Maverick was chair of the Department of Chemistry for two terms, from 2006 to 2012. This was a time of growth for the department, with the addition of numerous energetic young faculty and high quality students. The department was recognized as graduating the highest percentages of Ph.D. degrees to women (49%) and underrepresented minorities (20%) among the top 50 chemistry doctoral programs in the U.S.

“It was a pleasure to work with my colleagues during this exciting period,” Maverick said. “They provided an intellectually stimulating atmosphere, worked tirelessly to raise funds for research, taught excellent classes, and volunteered for many kinds of service.”

Since 2014, he served as Associate Dean of the College of Science, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of student support services. 

Maverick expressed his gratitude to Dean Cynthia Peterson, who had just begun her tenure as Dean. “She brought fresh ideas to her alma mater and was going to take the college in interesting new directions, so it was an intriguing opportunity to join,” Maverick recalled.

During his time as Associate Dean, the College of Science adopted a new approach to student evaluation of teaching, and brought in new funds to support undergraduate and graduate scholarships. Faculty in the College began teaching a variety of courses online, partly due to COVID-19, but also as part of LSU Online’s rapidly growing degree programs.

Maverick also participated in the creation of Science 1001 (“Becoming a Scientist”), a course for entering freshmen to help them belong and be successful in the College. However, he says that again it is the people he will remember most from his service as Associate Dean.

“I learned firsthand what our students already know: that the counselors and advisors in the Student Services office are always there for them, with top quality support. I also enjoyed working with our dedicated department chairs and associate chairs on teaching and academic policy.”

In 2018, Maverick was recognized as a Fellow of the American Chemical Society, honoring his research contributions, leadership, and mentorship. This recognition also highlighted his involvement in events such as ChemDemo and Super Science Saturday, which inspire and engage hundreds of K-12 students interested in science. Throughout his career at LSU, Maverick has made a lasting impact on both the academic and local communities.

 

Future Years

After a 37-year distinguished career at LSU, Associate Dean and Professor Andrew Maverick retired on August 14, 2024. He will now transition into retirement with the same passion and curiosity that fueled his career. As a dedicated member of the American Chemical Society (ACS) for 46 years, he is already looking forward to reaching the 50-year milestone, which will grant him the privilege of attending meetings with a waived registration fee. 

As Maverick continues into his next chapter, his journey is far from over. He will continue exploring the natural world through his work in crystallography, his adventures under the starry skies of Colorado with his telescope, or expanding his collection of vibrant colored minerals that beautifully showcase the complexities of inorganic chemistry. He will also be spending more time with his wife, Anne (which she says she has been looking forward to), and visiting his children, James (a musician, like his mother) and Emily (a chemist/biomedical scientist).

His commitment to discovery and enthusiasm for science remains, promising a future filled with new insights and ongoing contributions to the scientific community and proving that even in retirement, a true Maverick never stops exploring.

 

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