About the Authors

Textbook Author Team

Lab Manual Author Team


Textbook Author Team


Bradley Fahlman, Editor-in-Chief

Brad Fahlman is a professor of chemistry in the department of chemistry and biochemistry at Central Michigan University (CMU). He received a B.Sc. with high honors from the University of Regina (in Saskatchewan) in 1996. He was awarded a Ph.D. from Rice University in 2000 (adviser Prof. Andrew R. Barron) for his work on the organometallic synthesis of volatile Group 13 compounds and their application for thin-film growth via chemical vapor deposition.

Fahlman joined the faculty at CMU in 2002 after a two-year postdoctoral appointment at the University of California, Irvine. His research interests include the synthesis and characterization of organometallic hafnium precursor compounds for thin-film microelectronics applications (high-k dielectrics) and olefin polymerization catalysis. He is also active in the development of novel C/Si hybrid nanostructures, doped metal oxide nanoparticles, and solid electrolytes for metal-ion battery and supercapacitor applications .

Fahlman’s research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense (U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development & Engineering Center), Research Corporation, and the Dreyfus Foundation. He is co-author of more than 65 peer reviewed publications, has delivered more than 70 invited talks, and is the sole author of Materials Chemistry (Springer), currently in its second edition and recognized by a national textbook excellence award from the Text & Academic Authors Association.

Fahlman enjoys teaching general, inorganic, and materials chemistry at CMU. He is an advocate for contextual chemistry curricula as well as interactive and adaptable learning resources, which have greatly improved student motivation and interest. When not in the laboratory or classroom, Fahlman enjoys traveling with his wife, Diyonn, and is an avid golfer.

Brad Fahlman

Kathleen Purvis-Roberts

Katie Purvis-Roberts is a professor of chemistry and environmental science in the W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges. Her research interests include studying the chemical mechanism behind particulate matter air pollution formation and the environmental impact of nuclear testing in Kazakhstan.  Her research is supported by the National Science Foundation and the Dreyfus Foundation. During the 2016-2017 academic year she was a Jefferson Science Fellow at the U.S. Department of State, and continues the work she did with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, bringing together university faculty and energy policymakers to work on renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

Purvis-Roberts joined the author team for the 8th edition and continued as an author for the 9th and 10th editions. In addition to Chemistry in Context, Purvis-Roberts is co-author of an environmental chemistry book for majors Chemistry of the Environment. She enjoys teaching chemistry for non-majors, introductory chemistry, environmental chemistry, and advanced laboratory in chemistry. 

Purvis-Roberts earned her B.S. in chemistry from Westmont College and her Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Princeton University. She also earned a certificate in science, technology, and environmental policy from the Woodrow Wilson School for Public & International Affairs at Princeton. This experience transitioned her research from surface chemistry interactions to an atmospheric pollution focus. From there, she did her postdoctoral research at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO.

When not in the classroom, Purvis-Roberts enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors. 

Katie Purvis-Roberts

John Kirk

John Kirk is an associate professor of chemistry at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI, where he teaches general and analytical chemistry. He has a passion for incorporating applications of chemistry in his classroom as well as promoting undergraduate research experiences for all students. In his research lab, students synthesize silica nanoparticles and gold nanoparticles, then create and study three-dimensional structures made from these particles for sensing applications.

Kirk served as a chapter reviewer for the 7th edition of Chemistry in Context and joined the writing team for the 9th and 10th editions. He has taught liberal arts chemistry courses with Chemistry in Context since 2007 at the University of Iowa; University of Wisconsin, Stout; and Carthage College.

Kirk received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA. He earned a doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, while studying surface adsorption of fluorophores to gold nanoparticles and their integration into microfluidic devices. He carried out postdoctoral research in bioanalytical chemistry at the University of Arizona and in chemical education at the University of Iowa.

When not teaching, he enjoys running, geocaching, and spending time with his family.

John Kirk

Resa Kelly

Resa Kelly began her interest in chemistry education research while teaching high school chemistry and working toward a master’s degree in science education. This led her to pursue additional advanced degrees in chemistry and chemistry education. She accepted a tenure track position at San José State University in 2005 where she continues to work and has achieved the rank of full professor.

Her research interests involve studying how students learn and modify their understanding of chemistry concepts, specifically chemical reactions and their mechanisms, after viewing and reflecting on a variety of visualizations. She also explores best practices for the design of molecular visualization tools.

Additional professional experience includes serving as theme editor of a special issue “Visualization and representations in chemistry education” for the journal Chemistry Education Research and Practice. She has extensive service to the ACS Division of Chemical Education. Highlights include serving as secretary/councilor of the ACS Division of Chemical Education, serving as Chair of the DivCHED IAC committee. She is the recipient of the 2015 University of Northern Colorado Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of her contributions to the field of chemical education, and she received an award for Outstanding Alumni Recognition Project 2018 Honors from the University of Northern Iowa Graduate College.

Kelly was on the CiC 9e advisory board and joined the team as an author for the 10th edition.

Resa Kelly

Patrick Daubenmire

Patrick L. Daubenmire is an associate professor in the chemistry and biochemistry department at Loyola University Chicago. He earned a B.A. from Saint Louis University, where he majored in chemistry and theology. While teaching high school chemistry at an all-boys' school in Baltimore, he earned his Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America in chemistry education research.

He looks for multiple ways to help students access chemistry content and reach for a deeper understanding of its concepts. A few of his prior and current research projects have focused on using contexts to situate the chemistry content in meaningful ways for students.

When not in his role as a professor, Daubenmire plays dad, enjoys cooking and running, as well as visits as many National Parks as possible.

Blending his experiences as researcher, high school teacher, and now college professor, Daubenmire is thrilled to be part of the ongoing path of the Chemistry in Context textbook and its resources.

Patrick Daubenmire

Lab Manual Author Team


Stephanie Ryan

Stephanie Ryan is the owner and CEO of Ryan Education Consulting LLC in Carmel, IN. She delivers research-based educational products for both the K-16 and corporate settings. Her company utilizes learning theory and content expertise to develop content that will stick with students and truly assess what they understand. She offers item writing services and curriculum development services in all subject areas, with a specialty in chemistry.  

Ryan first got involved with Chemistry in Context during the 9th edition by developing ancillary materials for the lab manual and textbook. She joined the writing team for the 10th edition lab manual, developing new labs and  integrating the lab manual with the text. She also developed new clicker questions and other ancillary materials for both the lab manual and the textbook and identified and placed simulations and videos within the chapters of the book.

When not developing curricular materials and assessment items, Ryan enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, being near the water, and watching movies

Stephanie Ryan

Michael Mury

Michael Mury is the academic dean and teaches chemistry and physics at All Saints Academy in Winter Haven, FL. He returned to the classroom after working for the American Chemical Society for more than seven years. 

While at ACS, Michael was the program manager of ACS textbooks. In this role he served as managing editor for both ACS textbooks, Chemistry in Context, which is designed for non-science major students, and Chemistry in the Community, designed for college-bound high school students. He also organized and led professional development opportunities for instructors of both textbooks.

Mury joined the Chemistry in Context project during the 7th edition. For the 8th edition, he assisted with the climate change, nuclear, and food units, and he assisted with the production of the text. He also served as the liaison between the author team and the publisher, McGraw-Hill. For the 9th edition, he served as managing editor for the first half of production and co-authored chapters on climate change, radiation, and water. During the 10th edition, Mury worked on the lab manual that accompanies the text.

Mury earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. He studied computational chemistry at Clemson University where he earned his Ph.D. Upon completion of his doctorate, Mury joined Teach for America and taught at Western High School in Baltimore, MD, and then at KIPP: Gaston College Preparatory in Gaston, NC, before moving to ACS. Education is Mury’s passion and he works hard to make sure students receive the best science education possible.

In his spare time, he enjoys exploring the numerous theme parks in Florida, trying new restaurants, working out, building Legos, and watching movies.

Michael Mury