Hala Schepmann

Hala Schepmann

Hala Schepmann is a Professor of Chemistry at Southern Oregon University. Her research interests include natural products in drug discovery and the development of inclusive teaching strategies. Dr. Schepmann graduated summa cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. She holds an M.S. in organic chemistry from University of California, Berkeley and a Ph.D. in bioorganic chemistry from Rice University.

Professor Schepmann joined SOU in 2001 and during her six-year tenure as chair of the Chemistry and Physics Department, she navigated the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, modernized curricular offerings, and led the creation of an endowed summer research program for students and faculty. She is the co-founder of a university alliance that supports underrepresented faculty by advocating for supportive and equitable policies and practices. Schepmann is a past president of the Associated Professors of Southern Oregon University.

Nationally, Dr. Schepmann co-leads a National Science Foundation (NSF) ADVANCE Partnership project focused on supporting the advancement of women STEM faculty. Recently, she completed an NSF GRANTED (Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity) project, centered on transforming research enterprises at primarily-undergraduate, emerging research institutions. This entails working with research administrators, faculty, and institutional leaders to elucidate and remove research productivity barriers as well as infrastructure challenges with the ultimate goal of increasing faculty and student engagement in the nation’s research enterprise.

When Dr. Shepmann is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their two children, and extended family.