Founding CEO
Education
Post-doctoral Fellow: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Ph.D. Chemistry: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
B.Sc. Chemistry: Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI
Accomplishments
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: ACS Symposium Book: The Power and Promise of Early Research.
Member: American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee for Minority Affairs (CMA)
Organizer: Early Research Symposium @ Biennial Conference on Chemical Education
ACS Recognition: (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
Chair & Consultant, Andrews University Community Engagement Council; CEC Description
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
Selected Recent and Ongoing Collaborations
Synthesis and Bioactivity of Potential Anti-bipolar Disorder Agents, Marlene Murray, Andrews
University.
Synthesis of Amidoximes, Shawn Hitchcock, Illinois State University.
Synthesis and Bioactivity of Potential Anti-glioblastoma Hybrid Agents (Rhodanines, Benzothiazoles,
Dihydropyridines, TMZ-NSAIDs, a-Cyanostilbenes, Boronic Acids), Denise Smith, Andrews
University.
Synthesis and Bioactivity of Novel Hybrid Molecules (Aurones, Amidoximes, Phthalimides),
Melissa Poua, Andrews University.
Environmental Education and Community Engagement, Laurel Berman, University of Illinois
School of Public Health.
A 4 Asthma, Princella Tobias, Benton Harbor Team Solutions, Benton Spirit Community
Newspaper.
Selected Prior Collaborations
Synthesis and Antiparasitic Activity of Sulfonamide and Boronic Acid Chalcones, Bill Chobotar,
Andrews University.
Molecular Sensing of Toxic Organophosphates with Azastilbenes, Sherine Obare, Western Michigan
University.
Synthesis of Novel Malachite Green Analogs and their Interaction with DNA, Amanda Bryant-
Friedrich, Oakland University.
The Power and Promise of Early Research, Sherine Obare and James Hageman.
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
Support for BEST Early
“I encourage you to continue your efforts with BEST. Demonstrating to young students their potential
and providing them with hands-on experience is essential to planting the desire for a postsecondary
education and encouraging them to pursue that desire.” – Jennifer M. Granholm, former Governor,
Michigan.
“It is wonderful that the BEST program is providing high school and college students with
opportunities to work over the summer in paid science and technology apprenticeships. Every day
we see the importance of research in these fields as we meet new technological challenges and
compete in a global marketplace.” – Debbie Stabenow, former United States Senator, Michigan.
“I applaud your efforts to make the important linkage between high school and college for students
across Southwest Michigan. The BEST Program is an excellent example of bringing real-world
experiences and education to our young people. It is critical to our economic future that we have
students trained in research and development activities.” – Fred Upton, former United States
Congressman, 6th Congressional District, Michigan.
“I am pleased to send greetings to the participants in “Expect Amazing,” the 2013 Building
Excellence in Science & Technology Early Research Symposium at Andrews University.
As President Barack Obama has said, “The future belongs to the nation that best educates its
citizens...we have everything we need to be that nation. We have the best universities, the most
renowned scholars. We have innovative principals and passionate teachers and gifted students, and
we have parents whose only priority is their child’s education. We have a legacy of excellence, and
an unwavering belief that our children should climb higher than we did.”
I commend all of you for your interest in and dedication to learning in the STEM fields – science,
technology, engineering, and math – and for the interest and initiative that have led you to participate
in a symposium such as this. We recognize how important it is for our country’s economic security
to increase STEM literacy so all students can think critically, to ensure we have a high quality of
teaching, to foster innovation, and to expand career opportunities for all students. I encourage you
to take part in the learning and networking opportunities at this symposium that will support your
educational and professional achievements, and I know you can look to a future of great opportunity
and possibility.
Best wishes for an enjoyable and productive gathering.” - Arne Duncan, former United States
Education Secretary.
