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Dr. Thomas Manning Ph.D
With a grandfather, father, brothers and uncles all serving many years with the New York City Police Department, one might expect law enforcement to be in Dr. Thomas Manning’s blood; however the long-serving professor of chemistry at VSU is more well known for his connections with students than criminals. Although he chose a different career path than his father, who led the NYPD S.W.A.T. for 12 years, Manning carries with him the same desire to help people, and armed with knowledge and a passion for teaching, he faces the challenge of interactive learning with the heart of a seasoned officer.
The New York City native said he found a home in higher education as an undergraduate at the College of Charleston, S.C. and as he continued his education, Manning developed a true knack for reaching students. He may communicate the basics of chemistry in the classroom, but he truly connects with his student through ground-breaking research projects on cancer drugs and once-in-a-lifetime collaborations with Cuba. His students learn to put principles into action, which dramatically enhances the learning process.
The father of three, who proposed in the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center to his wife, who now teaches middle school science, has spent 14 years changing the lives of students at VSU. While he is fascinated by history, Manning said that science gave him more things to do, which is why he chose the profession. But what guides him and makes his hands-on projects so effective? Manning said he just does what he loves…
“I found that if I like what I do, the students pick up on the positive energy,” he said. “So my projects are half research projects and half labors of love.”
Years with VSU: 14
Department: Chemistry
Position: Professor of Chemistry
Speciality(ies): Analytical, physical, environmental
City of residence: Valdosta
Hometown: New York City (Brooklyn, Staten Island)
Post-secondary (all degree levels):
BS: College of Charleston (SC)
PhD: University of Florida
Post Doc 1: National Research Center for Coal and Energy
Post Doc 2: Florida State University
Academic achievements/awards/recognition:
Almost 3 dozen of my former research students have gone onto Ph.d, medical, dental and Doctor of Pharmacy programs.
Academic highlights :
Obtained Q clearance (top security clearance) and did PhD research at Los Alamos National Lab.
Career highlights:
Having a job I love to do and being able to balance it with family.
Career Goals:
Always contribute and like what I do and be able to do it competently into old age.
Community Involvement:
Kids soccer coach, Valdosta Yatch Club, active in church
Research Interests/current projects:
We always have three projects ongoing: medical, nanotechnology and chemical education. Our medical project is currently focused on cancer drugs from the sea, our nanotechnology is focused on making Georgia timber a renewable, zero emission source; and our chemical education is currently focused on expanding the use of computers to teach science (including in research, teaching high school and middle school science teachers, and working with faculty at other universities. (including in Cuba).
Research Accomplishments
We have an active research group that incorporates many undergraduates every semester. Our work is consistently accepted for publication in peer reviewed journals. Specifically we hope our current "bacterial amplification chambers" or pharmaceutical aquaculture changes the way drugs are made.
I chose to work at VSU because…
I like the combination of teaching and research.
When I have free time, I like…
I have an old sailboat down the coast and I take my kids camping at least a dozen times per year.
If I could describe myself in three words...
not very sophisticated.
The person who has most influenced me is...
My parents when I was young, now my wife.
The most exciting/interesting thing I’ve done is…
Visit a small town in Cuba and meet people that my father meet or knew over 50 years earlier, when he was stationed in Cuba as a USMC. A life experience that has so many angles, from politics to family history to religion to........
My favorite class to teach is/was…
My favorite class is the one in which the collective spirit of the students have a sense adventure and we do something interesting and innovative!
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
A number of people come to mind but...as a science teacher I'd say Ernest Rutherford.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
I don't mind failing - I just wish I had more time to try more stuff.
The one VSU experience I will always remember is…
We won the universities first US Patent (#6,022,456) and President Bailey acknowledged it at Honors Day.