Activities and Research
Since his retirement in 2005, Dr. Zellmer no longer maintains a graduate research group. He taught in the Spring Semester during his five years in the Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP), and fully retired in May of 2010.
When he first joined the faculty in 1969 he introduced his students to the new areas of electronic digital technology and integrated circuit computers. His first graduate student, James Akridge, worked on semiconducting electrodes, and went on to get his Ph.D. and later became CEO of Valence Technology, a company that works on new battery design. Other students went on to graduate schools for their Ph.D. and professional careers at places like NIST.
Dr.
Zellmer spent his first few summers at Oregon State University, where he
worked on the analysis of meteorite fragments using neutron activation analysis
in the research group of Dr. Roman Schmitt. This group was one of the few
that were analyzing the composition of the first samples returned from the
Moon by the Apollo 11 astronauts. Dr. Zellmer specificially worked on the
composition of the small spherical inclusions called chondrules in carbonaceous
chondrites. These were thought to have been formed when the Sun first ignited
in the early solar system.
At Fresno State Dr. Zellmer established a set of radiochemical laboratories, and taught courses, along with Dr. Mike Zender of the Physics Department, and Dr. David Grubbs of the Biology Department in the use of radioisotopes for analytical and medical research.
On
a parallel track with his hard science research, Dr. Zellmer was also active
in teacher training for our local school districts. Dr. Stanley Ziegler
is shown here with a group of future teachers on a field trip to a waste
treatment facility in Oakland, California. These summer programs provided
science entrichment for hundreds of teachers in the Central Valley. Dr. Zellmer
is behind the camera, as usual.
Dr. Zellmer's multiple interests in analytical chemistry, electronics, computers, space science, geology and photography have led to his participation in the construction of the Downing Planetarium, his teaching of graduate courses in the department of Geology, and his establishment of some early courses in the newly formed Department of Computer Science. His most recent activities were mostly in teacher education and the production of web sites for the University. He also assisted in the establishment of the Department of Justice Crime Lab on the Fresno State campus and participated in the establishment of the Forensic Science Program in the Chemistry Department at Fresno State.