Liz Brown (née Bielinski), Ph.D.


What subject do you teach? 10th Grade Chemistry/Accelerated Chemistry and 11-12th Grade Advanced Chemistry.
 
How long have you been at Tower Hill? 1 year.

Briefly describe your own education: 
College: B.A. in Chemistry from Bryn Mawr College
Grad: Master's and Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from Yale University
In graduate school I worked on developing transition metal catalysts for energy-related and alternative energy-related processes. Specifically I worked on the use of methanol and formic acid as fuel sources and for production of hydrogen gas.

Why do you do what you do? What are you passionate about at work?
I love to share my love for science with others. The reason I'm a scientist and a teacher is that I had an amazing high school chemistry teacher. She made the subject accessible and relatable to everyday life. She taught me that chemistry is not an esoteric academic pursuit — it's life. When I teach, I get to share that same knowledge everyday.
 
My biggest passion as a teacher is helping students to realize that they can do hard things. Chemistry tends to get a bad rap as being too difficult and complicated, but when it's taught with reference to everyday life, it comes alive. I truly believe that everyone has the capacity to be a good science student so long as they are given the tools to learn in the manner that is best for them. I never get bored trying new techniques, finding new labs or discovering a new way to explain something.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I have had the same hobbies my whole life. I used to swim competitively and still love to swim, especially in the summer when I can get outside. I also love to sing and am working on getting back into singing by finding a local choral group to work with.
 
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