Rubye Prigmore Torrey

The program has since expanded to “Research Week” and is held yearly at the university. In 2005, Torrey also launched a successful Inaugural Student Research Day at Tennessee Technological University.

During her professorship and research status at Tennessee State University, Torrey was an extreme advocate for the advancement of student research. She served on the University Research Committee, and further used her funding from the Atomic Energy Commission to bring together the Committee of the College of Arts and Sciences. Through this committee and the funding of her grant, she created “Research Day” in 1978. The “University-Wide Research Symposium” was enacted with the goal of providing students with research experience rather than solely professors and faculty. Past this, Torrey and her committee were looking to give students experience in presenting their research professionally beyond just experience in lab work. As the College of Arts and Sciences did not have the funds for such an event, Torrey approached the First American National Bank, Third National Bank, and Citizens Saving Bank, who all contributed towards the project. Prize money for the students was provided by the Committee members themselves. After the success of the first edition, Torrey applied for and received a grant from the National Science Foundation for the "Technologically Assisted Physical Science" program, with the aim of increasing the number of students graduating with chemistry, physics and mathematics degrees.

Dr. Torrey worked as a professor of chemistry at Tennessee State University from 1969 to 1970. Torrey's next step in her research was at Brookhaven National Laboratory. In the mass spectrometry sector, Torrey achieved funding for her work in this position through a postdoctoral collaborative research grant from the Atomic Energy Commission. Holding this research position from 1970-1974, Torrey and her team conducted revolutionary studies that had yet to be investigated in the realm of applying mass spectrometry to analyze specific noble gasses patterns of gaseous formation.

Torrey later became the first African American female to earn a PhD in radiation-electroanalytical chemistry from Syracuse University in 1968. Her thesis focused on research concerning unknown material and was titled “A Mechanism for the Alpha Radiolysis of Gaseous Hydrogen Sulfide”. On the 50th anniversary of her graduation, her achievement was commemorated with a plaque dedication ceremony at the University of Syracuse.

In September 1957, Rubye married husband Claude A. Torrey and later had two children, daughter Claudia O. Torrey and son Michael Torrey. Mr. Torrey was a biologist and biochemist, who had graduated from the school of Medical Technology of Meharry Medical School. Rubye credits him as an important and helpful influencer in her scientific career, stating, “We worked as a team. I feel like this is the only way one can balance a family and career in science, particularly in chemistry. Set your goals, make your plan, and work your plan”.

Before earning her PhD from Syracuse, Torrey began her work at Tennessee State University, where she was an assistant professor in chemistry (1948-1963). While attending Syracuse, she worked as a chemistry instructor to fund her schooling (1963-1968). Her doctorate research was concentrated on alpha radiolysis of gaseous hydrogen sulfide, which was unknown at the time and inspired her postdoctoral interests. Her research at Syracuse led to her induction into the universities Research Honor Society of Sigma Xi.

She was encouraged to study chemistry by her high school chemistry teacher in Sweetwater. Her higher education began at Swift Memorial Junior College, a Presbyterian school in Rogersville, Tennessee. She attended the small boarding school for two years before transferring to Tennessee State University (then the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State University). In 1946, Torrey earned her Bachelor's of Science with high honors, majoring in chemistry. She was awarded a scholarship, allowing her to extend her studies at Tennessee State University. In 1948, she achieved her Master's degree—graduating with honors again. For her masters project, Torrey completed sponsored research concerning domestic fruits and vegetables for the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Rubye Mayette Prigmore Torrey (February 18, 1926 – October 26, 2017) was a notable African American female chemist and educator. She earned her bachelor's and master's degree at Tennessee State University and her PhD from Syracuse University. Her main research interests included food chemistry, the electroanalysis of drinking water and human hair, and research ethics. She is known for developing a mechanism to decompose hydrogen sulfide, which earned her a place in Sigma Xi.