At St. Olaf I have the privilege of working with a fantastic community of students and staff who love to learn about the world around them. The guiding principles involved in my work combine passion for the environment and for teaching with a call to serve others and the earth. As a fellow learner we explore the complexities of sustainability and stewardship in the environmental and chemical professions, on the St. Olaf campus and throughout the world. My curiosity about environmental contaminants in surface waters and the ability to measure these materials establish projects of local relevance that remind us of our global connectivity.  In a nutshell I enjoy exploring the intersection of science, communities, materiality, ethics and communication.  The discovery of learning how we learn and transferring our learned ideals into action brings excitement to my daily life.  I look forward to engaging current and future students and colleagues in a quest to understand how examining the consequences of our action or inaction at the molecular level serves to care for our world of precious resources. Perhaps our paths will cross in courses, such as, introductory chemistry, integrated chemistry/biology, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, introduction to environmental studies, integration & application in environmental studies or thematic topics courses. Others may see me leading an off-campus study course like “Environmental Science in Australia and New Zealand" or "Directed Undergraduate Research in Japan.” Still others may witness this scientist in community theater, partnering with artists and art historians, or enjoying the company of a spouse. In whatever the context, let us go forth and learn from one another while having great fun.