After finishing his graduate work in the department, Dr. Spicer joined the faculty in 1985 and continued his doctoral research work on the atmospheric dispersion of denser-than-air contaminants. As part of his PhD work and follow up research sponsored by the Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Gas Research Institute, Spicer developed models cited in federal regulations for siting liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities and in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hazardous material model CAMEO used by first responders to asses the dangers from chemical spills. After promotion to Professor in 1996, Spicer became Department Head in 2003. He is a member of the Safety and Chemical Engineering Education (SACHE) Committee of the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE). Spicer collaborates in research efforts at the UA Chemical Hazard Research Center (CHRC). His primary research interests are in the assessment of hazards from airborne contaminants and from fire and explosion phenomena. He is internationally recognized as an expert in modeling atmospheric releases of airborne contaminants, particularly those that are denser than air. Spicer was named the Ralph E. Martin Leadership Chair in Chemical Engineering in 2005.

Arkansas Academy of Chemical Engineers, 2006.