B.S. and M.S., University of Minnesota Duluth; Ph.D. University of Minnesota
Physical Inorganic Chemistry, Spectroscopy, Computational Chemistry, and Transition Metal Chemistry
U.S. history, American Civil War, Cooking/Baking, Hiking, Birding, and Spending time with my wife and daughter and dogs
I was born and raised in WI. My parents (a Lutheran pastor and a teacher) moved to the Twin Cities while I was in high school, and I graduated from Concordia Academy in Roseville, MN.
After graduation from high school, I attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, where I received B.S. Chemistry and B.S. Biochemistry/Molecular Biology degrees. I stayed at UMD and earned an M.S. Chemistry degree, with an emphasis on computational physical chemistry. I then joined the group of Dr. Doreen Leopold at the U of MN and earned a Ph.D. Chemistry degree, with an emphasis on physical inorganic chemistry. My doctoral dissertation involved the use of anion photoelectron spectroscopy and computational chemistry to study small (<20 atom) clusters containing at least one metal atom. Upon graduation, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Washington State University, where I studied anisotropy in the chemical decomposition mechanism of high explosives. Since discovering my passion for teaching (during my sophomore year as an undergraduate), I have also taught a variety chemistry labs and lectures, including most subdivisions of chemistry.
Apart from my background and interest in chemistry, I enjoy spending time outdoors. My most significant hobby is the study of the American Civil War; my book collection currently contains more Civil War books than chemistry books. I have been happily married to my high school sweet heart since June of 2000. We currently have two dogs (both goldendoodles), and had our first child (a girl) in November, 2008.
Chemistry
Gustavus Adolphus College
800 West College Avenue
Saint Peter, MN 56082
Phone: 507-933-7321
E-mail: smiller3@gustavus.edu
W. Basketball vs. Wartburg College Tomorrow 7:30–9:30 pm
Zumba Tomorrow noon to 12:20 pm
Helen & Paul Baumgartner, Faculty Emeriti Piano Recital Today 3:30–5:30 pm
Raging Turloughs
7 hours ago
I study insect reproductive behaviors and physiology using two model systems, the flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) and the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). While males and females must cooperate to reproduce at all, there is also often conflict regarding how many progeny to produce, when to produce them, and…