• Expertise: education technologies; chemistry education; analytical methods development and validation; molecular spectroscopy (FTIR, MS, UV-VIS); gas chromatography; chemical product quality issue investigations; coating and adhesive defect investigation; materials characterization; VOC compliance consulting

• Teaching at CSUDH since 2002

• Professional Science Masters, Analytical Chemistry, Illinois Institute of Technology, 2004

• Bachelor of Arts, Chemistry and Biology, La Verne College, 1977

• former President and Laboratory Director, American Research and Testing Inc.

• Member: ACS, AAAS, ADSE, Math/Science Interchange, Out to Innovate, SACNAS, NOBCChE, Iota Sigma Pi

• AAAS Fellow (Class of 2002), ACS Fellow (Class of 2013)

• Credentials/Certifications: 

  • • ACUE Credential in Effective College Instruction 

    • Certificate in Advancing Inclusive Mentoring Training

Classes I've taught

• CHE 230, Quantitative Analysis Lecture and Lab: since 2005

• CHE 112L, General Chemistry II Lab: Fall 2002, Spring 2003, Fall 2005, Fall 2006, Fall 2007

• CHE 110, General Chemistry I Lecture: Spring 2014; Lab: Fall 2003, Spring 2004, Fall 2004, Fall 2006

• CHE 313L, Organic Chemistry II Lab: Spring 2006

CHE 230 Resources

• Most Recent CHE230 Syllabus and Experiments

• Log in to the CHE 230 Canvas for course information, course documents, on-line homework, etc.

• CSUDH Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

• CSUDH Home

Essays about Science

• Relating to Math and Science

• Just What Does a Chemist DO?

• Adventures of a Chemical Detective

• It's All Chemistry

• The Fundamental Skill Set of a Chemist in Training

Publications

• Rodriguez, K.,  Jones, A., Belmont, B.  Evaluation of Freeze Dried Aloe Vera and Nopal Cactus for Possible Health Treatments by Comparison of Antioxidant Properties and Free Radical Inhibition, Journal of Undergraduate Chemistry Research, 2014, 13(4), 67-70

• Belmont, B., Review of Adhesive Properties of Cyanoacrylates as Compared to Other Acrylic Resins and Epoxy Resins. In Cyanoacrylate Resins, The Instant Adhesive: A Monograph of their Application and Technology, Lee, H., editor, Pasadena Technology Press, 1981, pages 127-129.

I have many interests -- from developing or enhancing experiments for the analytical chemistry classroom, to using analytical techniques for characterizing or investigating a chemical conundrum. I am committed to taking on up to three research students per semester to do research for course credit. Talk to me to see whether our mutual interests may lead to me advising/mentoring you in a research project at CSUDH. Here is a list of some projects that I have advised:

• Development of acetominophen assay in Children's Tylenol using standard addition calibration and a self-built potentiostat; Serina Arevalo (Fall 2024, Spring 2025).

• GC-FID of fatty acid methyl ester derivatives to differentiate virgin olive oil from counterfeit olive oil; Alicia Bennett-Smith (Fall 2024) (6)

• Characterization of polymer antioxidants and light stabilizers by MALDI-MS; Alicia Bennett-Smith (Summer 2024) (5,6)

• Development of Vitamin K assay of spinach leaves by GC-FID, GC-MS, and LC-MS, a research group project by Alicia Bennett-Smith Yolanda McDow, and David E. Rocha (Spring 2024) (6,8)

• Optimization of periodate concentration for oxidation of manganese to permanganate; David E. Rocha (Summer/Fall 2023) (6)

• Assay for regulated fragrance allergens in retail personal fragrances by GC-FID; Alicia Bennett-Smith (Summer / Fall 2023) (7)

• Characterization of Polyphenols in Agricultural Waste; Yolanda McDow (Summer 2023, Fall 2023) (5,6)

• Exploration of redox-active small molecules for potential analyte in an undergraduate cyclic voltammetry portfolio; Vanessa Brizuela (Spring 2023) (4)

• Characterization of Polyphenols in Agricultural Waste; Berenice Rojas (Spring 2023) (2)

• Exploration of Regulated VOCs in Consumer Products; Berenice Rojas (Fall 2022 - Spring 2023) (2)

• Characterization of an Unknown Phthalate by Pre-Analysis Derivitization GS-MS; Yolanda McDow (Fall 2022-Spring 2023) (3,5)

• Investigation of Ventilation Safety Using a Self-Built Carbon Dioxide Monitor; Berenice Rojas (Summer 2022) (3)

• Detection of Diisononyl Phthalate in Commercial DINCH Plasticizer by GC-MS; Yolanda McDow (Summer 2022) (3)

• Vitamin C, Acetaminophen, N-acetyl cysteine Cyclic Voltammetry Assay using the TeensyStat; Omar Santizo (2019-2021) (4)

• Development of Environmentally Friendly Precipitation Experiment; Caire Ladan (2019-2020)

• Hacking Electrochemistry: Implementation of a Low Cost Potentiostat in the Undergrad Teaching Lab; Claire Ladan (2018-2020)

• Maker's Electrochemistry: Development of a Low Cost Potentiostat; Justin Hathaway (2016-2018)(1)

• Exploring Methyl Paraben Content of Fresh Blueberries by GC/MS; Hillary Belo Gonzales (Fall 2016) 

• Estimation of Hydrophilic Lipophilic Balance of Gasoline Detergent Additives via Ethoxy Assay by GC-MS; Noman Al (Spring 2015) (1)

• Development of a Low Cost Cyclic Voltammetry Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment; Sidney Loretta Domholdt (Spring/Fall 2015) (1)

• Development of Copper(II) Ion Selective Electrode Membrane Using Luxol Fast Blue; Lisa Dinh (Fall 2014) (1)

• Development of a GC-MS Quick Reference Manual; Noman Al (Fall 2014)

• Determination of Manganese in Steel Sample: Identification and Prevention of Precipitate Produced in Steel Sample; Lara Angela Laurel (Fall 2014) (1)

• Exploration of sensitivity and construction parameters of a copper Ion Selective Electrode; Lisa Dinh (Spring 2014) (1)

• Chemical characterization of a copper-azoviolet ionophore; Saad Syed (Spring 2014)(1)

• Methyl Paraben in Blueberries by HPLC-MS-MS; Cassandra Maddux & Elizabeth Grotemeyer (coadvisor 2013-2014) (2)

• Comparison of Antioxidant Properties of Nopal and Aloe Leaves; Anthony Jones (coadvisor 2013-2014) (2)

• Construction of a low cost copper Ion Selective Electrode; Warren Nanney (Fall 2013)(1)

• Construction of a low cost calcium Ion Selective Electrode; Warren Nanney (Spring 2013)

• pH optimization and rescue of the Fe(bipy)3 chromophore; Brian Castellon (Spring 2012)

• Characterization of high density polyethylene structural failure by brittle fracture; Karl Berwyn (Spring 2012)

1. Supported by the 2013 Society of Analytical Chemists of Pittsburg Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Research grant
2. Supported by CSUDH RISE
3. Supported by CSUDH Office of Undergraduate Research
4. Supported by CSUDH McNair Scholars Program
5. Supported by CSUDH LS-AMP Program
6. Supported by Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)
7. Supported by MSEIP-STALP
8. Supported by CSUDH Chemistry Catalyst Fund