As one of the longest-serving members of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Dr. Martin O‟Donnell has witnessed chemistry at IUPUI grow from a small outpost opposite the Fairgrounds on 38th street, to a lively multidisciplinary department in a bustling urban campus. He knows what it is like to go from small to big. Marty grew up in Williams, a small farm town in Iowa with a population of about 500. His father owned a general store and Marty was one of only 11 students in the elementary/middle school he attended. His small world changed when, inspired by an uncle who was a professor of physical chemistry at Grinnell College, he left Williams to attend the University of Iowa (BS, 1964-1968). While there he immersed himself in independent undergraduate research. This confirmed his commitment to chemistry and would lead to his “pay it forward” dedication to teaching/mentoring students at IUPUI in regular undergraduate and graduate classes, and independent research. (more…)