Bemidji State University - Chemistry Department Faculty

I grew up just south of Bemidji in the Brainerd Lakes area. I obtained my BS degree in Chemistry at St. Cloud State University in 1985 and my Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at the University of North Dakota in 1990. My dissertation dealt with synthesis of low molecular weight poly(arylene methylene)s via Friedel Crafts reactions. I taught a year at University of MN-Morris in 1989-90 while completing my dissertation. I joined the Bemidji State University Chemistry Department in 1990.

Other Information and Interests:

My years at BSU have been productive. The familiarity of the Friedel Crafts reaction to undergraduates lent itself well for undergraduate research and I have had many undergraduates present posters at various local and regional meetings. I have been active in promoting science to area youth through involvement in science fairs and workshops I have helped organize entitled Share the Future (a sort of career day for 7th and 8th grade girls, in its 11th year) and STREAMS (Summer Teen Research Encouraging Attitudes in Mathematics and Science). Recently, I have been part of an effort to restart our fuel analysis research lab. We are able to provide analysis of fuels to cold weather testing companies so they can ascertain if their engines are running differently due to fuel composition or to other engine parameters. This has been exciting as it provides recognition to Bemidji State University and we are able to pay students to do the analyses. I also have had five children (ages 8 to 1).