About
BEST Early

& Founding CEO

About Best Early
Building Excellence in Science and Technology (BEST Early) is a federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. It was established in the Michigan in 2005 and secured federal nonprofit status in 2007. Its purpose is to advocate for, promote and provide early research participation, public science opportunities, and community engagement in both curricular and non-curricular settings. The organization’s motto is People First, Innovate Early. BEST Early is the parent organization of Environmental Fridays and A 4 Asthma. Our services and skills, expertise and experience include early research consultancy, environmental education, writing (academic, grant proposals, journalistic, literary), chemistry tutoring (high school, college, organic, individual, group), public science, community engagement, and nature photography.

About Founding CEO

Post-doctoral Fellow: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Ph.D. Chemistry: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

B.Sc. Chemistry: Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI

Teaching Experiences: 30+ years, College, High School, Chemistry

Research: Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Green Chemistry, New Organic Reactions

Research Application: Cancer, Bipolar Disorder, Environmental Sensors

Founding Director: Building Excellence in Science and Technology (BEST Early)

Founding Director: Environmental Fridays Guest Lecture Series

Editor & Columnist: Benton Spirit Community Newspaper

Co-Founder: A 4 Asthma

Lead Book Editor & Chapter Author: “The Power and Promise of Early Research.” ACS Symposium Book

Member: American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee for Minority Affairs (CMA)

Organizer: Early Research Symposium @ Biennial Conference on Chemical Education

 ACS Recognition of my (a) course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURE) work, (b) diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) work, and (c) 2012 College Science Teacher of the Year Award

John Nevins Andrews Medallion: Andrews University Highest Faculty Award

College Science Teacher of the Year Award: Michigan Science Teachers Association

Thought Leader in Education Recognition: Business Review West Michigan

Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award

Michigan Campus Compact Community Service-Learning Award

Organic Chemistry Class Excellence in Teaching

Testimonials

25 Years of Service; A Quarter Century of Research; Early Research Videos

BEST Early ‘Imagine Different’ Research Pre-Symposium Special Issue

BEST Early ‘Expect Amazing’ Research Pre-Symposium Special Issue