He received a B.S. degree in chemistry and a B.A. degree in history from Alma College. After college, he received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Washington where he developed new chemical reactions and studied their mechanisms. He worked in a postdoctoral position at the Center for Drug Design housed in the University of Minnesota where he synthesized novel anti- malaria drug targets. His primary teaching responsibilities include introductory and advanced organic chemistry with a focus on student-centered learning.