Karen K. Leonas
Department Chair and Professor
Research Statement
The study of fabrics as barriers to small particle and liquid transmission, including:
- Evaluating the effectiveness of surgical gowns and drapes with various chemical treatments [antimicrobial and repellent]
- The presence of microorganisms in carpets and the development of treatment systems to inhibit microorganism growth
- Degradable polymeric systems: the effects of various additives and environments on degradation mechanisms.
- Ph.D., 1985, Textile Chemistry, University of Tennessee
- M.S., 1983, Textiles & Clothing, University of Tennessee
- B.S., 1980, Textile Chemistry, North Carolina State University
Recent Scholarly Works
Refereed Journal Articles (2005-Present):
Shen, H. and Leonas, K. Study of Layering order on filtration Ability of Surgical Face Masks, Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, Vol. 5, No. 3, Fall 2006 (online at HYPERLINK "http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/jtatm/volume5issue3/articles/Shen/Shen_Full_208_06.pdf" http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/jtatm/volume5issue3/articles/Shen/Shen_Full_208_06.pdf).
Liu, H., Etters, J. N., and Leonas, K. Dyeing of Polypropylene Fibers with Vat Dyes, Journal of Donghue University (Eng. Ed.), Vol. 23, no. 5, (2006), pp 15-19.
Shen, H. and Leonas, K. Repellent Finishing and Layering Order Studies of Fluid Resistance of Surgical Face Masks, AATCC Review, Volume 6, No. 9, September 2006, pp 61-64.
Shen, H. and Leonas, K. Study of Repellent Finish on Filtration Ability of Surgical Face Masks”, International Nonwovens Journal, Volume 14, No. 4, 2005, pp 17-26.
Johnson, L., Carswell, A., Palmer, L, Sweaney, A., Mullis, R., Leonas, K., Moss, J., Mauldin, T. “An Intervention Model to Alleviate Family Poverty”, Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, Volume 97, No., 4, 2005, pp 73-76.
Recent Grants (2005-Present)
- $1,999,002, “Biodegradable Mulches for SpecialtyCrops Produced Under Protective Covers”, USDA – Specialty Crops ResearchInitiative, October 2009- September 2012.
- $98,181, “Project Planning for Specialty Crop Covers That UseDegradable Mulches”. USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative Grant,October 2008-September 2009.
- $30,000, “The Effectiveness of Life Skills Learning: A PilotStudy”. Submitted to UGA, Faculty Research Grants related to Poverty and theEconomy, January-December 2007.
- $205,000, “Insulative Effectiveness of Floor Covering Materials:Impact on Energy Savings and Consumption”, CCACTI, July 2006-June 2008.
- $30,342, “Evaluation of Reprocessed Reusable Surgical Gowns,Association of the Nonwovens Fabrics Industry, May 2004-July 2005.
Honors and Awards
Gamma Sigma Delta Distinguished Senior Teaching Award, 2007
Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor Nominee by the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2007
Creswell Award for Leadership in Motivating and Guiding Students, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2006
Inducted into University of Georgia Teaching Academy, 2005
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Department of AMDT
Washington State University
51 Kruegel Hall
Pullman, WA 99164-2020
(509) 335-6766
kleonas@wsu.edu