Postdoctoral Research Associate Chemistry, Emory University, 1992-1996

Ph.D., Chemistry, Emory University, 1992

B.S., Chemistry, University of South Carolina, 1984

Dr. McCartha currently teaches inorganic chemistry, Seminar/Capstone courses, and environmental chemistry. She is the faculty advisor for transfer students. Dr. McCartha is faculty co-advisor for Newberry College Chapter of the American Chemical Society. In the summer, Dr. McCartha enjoys teaching chemistry at South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Summer Science Program - GoSciTec.

As an undergraduate, Dr. McCartha worked on synthesis of fluorinated camphor derivatives at USC under the direction of Dr. John Dawson. As a graduate student, Dr. McCartha synthesized polyoxometalates and characterized them by X-ray crystallography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. She also investigated the catalytic activity and antiviral activity of polyoxometalates at Emory University under the direction of Dr. Craig Hill.

At Newberry College, she works with students to develop laboratories for integration into the chemistry curriculum. She has worked with over 20 students in CHE 391 Investigative Chemistry to develop these laboratories. She has also mentored 8 students in CHE 491 Chemistry Research. She serves as departmental grant writer and Principal Investigator (PI) on a National Science Foundation (NSF) Noyce grant award.

Honors: South Carolina Independent College and Universities Excellence in Teaching Award 2007; Who's Who Among America's Teachers 2004, 2005; Emory University Women's Club Research Award 1989; American Institute of Chemists, Outstanding Chemistry Undergraduate 1984. Grants: 2015-2020 National Science Foundation Robert C. Noyce Phase II Awardee, $800,000; 2009-2014 National Science Foundation Robert C. Noyce Awardee, $900,000; 2009-2013 Improving Teacher Quality Grant, Inquiring to Engage in Chemistry (ITEC), Awardee, $332,000; 2008 SCICU Student (Adam Frick)/Faculty (Dr. McCartha) Research Program Awardee, $3300; 2007-2008 The Dorothy and Moses Passer Education Fund Awardee, $1534; 2007-2010 National Science Foundation Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement Awardee, $140,701; 2007 SCICU Student (Jonathan Dailey)/Faculty (Dr. McCartha) Research Program Awardee, $3100; 2007 Pittsburg Conference Memorial National College Grant Awardee, $10,000; 2006 South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) Student (Bryan Linn)/Faculty (Dr. McCartha) Research Program Awardee, $3100.

She is a member of Chapin Baptist Church and has four children: Crystal, Shannon, Jesse and Grace.