Biography
Julia Saloni earned her master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (WUST) in Poland and went on to complete a Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry at Jackson State University (JSU) in Mississippi. She has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring students since her graduate studies. In recognition of her dedication, she received the JSU Teacher of the Year Award in 2016 and the Distinguished Alumna Award from WUST.
An enthusiastic and committed chemistry educator, researcher, and mentor, Julia has extensive experience teaching General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. She is the author of Calculations in General Chemistry I Workbook and has published numerous research articles, many in collaboration with undergraduate students. She is a strong advocate for broad access to science and education and believes deeply in the transformative impact of early research experiences on student success in college.
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy centers on creating a learner-focused, inclusive environment that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and active engagement. I strive to motivate students to take ownership of their learning while guiding them through content that is both relevant and challenging. Drawing on my experience teaching General and Organic Chemistry across a range of institutions and delivery modes—traditional, hybrid, and fully online—I am sensitive to the diverse needs of students from various cultural, socioeconomic, and academic backgrounds. I place strong emphasis on collaborative learning which I have found to be particularly effective in enhancing students’ communication, problem-solving, and reflective thinking skills.
Technology plays a vital role in my approach; I regularly incorporate tools like simulations, virtual labs, and multimedia resources to support meaningful learning for today’s digitally engaged students. I believe that teaching and research are deeply interconnected, and involving undergraduates in research not only strengthens their academic skills but also fosters personal growth. Ultimately, my goal is to inspire and equip my students to succeed in both their academic and professional pursuits.
Degrees
- PhD and MSc in Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Jacson State University, Jackson, MS
- M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering and Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland
Dissertation
“Theoretical Interpretation of Thermodynamics, Mass Spectra and Nature of Bonding in Metal Halides”
Areas of Interest / Expertise
Teaching and Curriculum Development
- Over 15 years in teaching general chemistry and 10 years of organic chemistry, including labs.
- Delivery of instructions in online, hybrid and traditional formats.
- Design of the content for introduction to chemistry, general and organic chemistry (lectures and labs) in traditional and online formats.
- Design included, but was not limited to, preparation of custom homework problems, custom test bank questions, laboratory experiments including simulations and virtual lab based, discussion forums and critical thinking exercises.
- Proficiency in WebCT, Blackboard, Canvas and Moodle platforms.
- Additionally, to teaching, content delivery included management of multiple sections, supervising teaching assistants, and supporting fellow faculty.
Undergraduate Research and Mentoring
- Over 15 years in undergraduate student mentoring experience.
- Design of undergraduate students projects with a broad scope of topics from computational chemistry activities to wet labs.
- Training students in art of scientific presentation, poster and manuscript preparation.
- Publishing undergraduate work (5 publications with undergraduate students).
- Advising students on their summer internships, graduate school, or work applications.
Licenses & Certifications
- 2022 Project101x: Introduction to Project Management
- 2022 Instructional Design
- 2022 eLearning Essentials
Professional Affiliations
- American Chemical Society
Publications
- 2025 A Computational Evaluation of Structures and Properties of Nucleic Acid Base–Water Complexes T Smith, K Kapusta, J Saloni, W Kolodziejczyk, G Hill Journal of Chemistry and Technologies 33 (1), 20-31
- 2023 Investigation of cannabidiol’s potential targets in limbic seizures. In-silico approach O Olafuyi, K Kapusta, A Reed, W Kolodziejczyk, J Saloni, GA Hill Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics 41 (16), 7744-7756
- 2022 Homology modeling and molecular dynamics-driven search for natural inhibitors that universally target receptor-binding domain of spike glycoprotein in SARS-CoV-2 variants O Ovchynnykova, K Kapusta, N Sizochenko, KM Sukhyy, W Kolodziejczyk, J Saloni, et. al. Molecules 27 (21), 7336
- 2022 Ultra‐Bright Near‐Infrared Sulfonate‐Indolizine Cyanine‐and Squaraine‐Albumin Chaperones: Record Quantum Yields and Applications WE Meador, K Kapusta, I Owolabi, SA Autry, J Saloni, W Kolodziejczyk, et. al. ChemPhotoChem 6 (9), e202200127
- 2022 Intercalation of cobalt cations into Co 9 S 8 interlayers for highly efficient and stable electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution B Tian, W Kolodziejczyk, J Saloni, P Cheah, J Qu, F Han, D Cao, X Zhu, et. al. Journal of Materials Chemistry A 10 (7), 3522-3530
- 2021 Computational studies on binding, solvent, and pH effects on (S)-propranolol and methacrylic acid complex J Saloni, S Swami, K Kapusta, GA Hill Journal of Molecular Modeling 27 (6), 153
Presentations / Conferences
- Fall 2024 UW Madison Teacher Tea “Teaching Organic Summer Lecture in Synchronous Online Format.”
- SERMAC 2021: Julia Saloni , Colleen N. Scott , Wojciech Kolodziejczyk ” Solvent effects on properties and spectra of Xanthene-based dyes – DFT studies” Optoelectronic Materials. November 10-13, 2021, Birmingham Al, Invited Talk
Honors & Awards
- 2016 Distinguished Alumna Award, Wroclaw University of Technology, Wroclaw, Poland
- 2016/2017 Teacher of the Year, Jackson State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Jackson MS
- 2014 Student Athlete Faculty Honoree by Jackson State University Department of Athletics, Jackson MS
Committee Involvement
- 2023-2025 Reviewer of Chemistry Undergraduate Scholarship Applications, UW-Madison.
- 2007-2022 Polish/English translation services for the Office of International Programs at JSU, Jackson MS
- 2005-2022 Judge at Mississippi Science and Engineering Fair Region II, Jackson MS
Community Involvement
- 2023-2025 Chemistry presentations for Chavez elementary school in Madison, WI
- 2013-2022 Chemistry presentations for selected elementary schools in Rankin County, MS
- 2013-2016 Secretary for the Mississippi Section of The American Chemical Society
- 2012-2014 South Regional Assistant Director of Mississippi Science Olympiad, Natchez, MS
