Michael Polen Ph.D.

• Senior Lecturer of Chemistry

I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2018 and started teaching at McDaniel immediately afterward. At CMU I studied the impacts of particles from combustion (e.g. wildfires) on the formation and lifetime of cloud droplets. My studies mostly centered on the analytical and environmental chemistry. Outside of research, I also devoted a large amount of time bringing science to underprivileged students in Pittsburgh, PA.

At McDaniel, I’ve taught mostly General Chemistry courses. I’ve also introduced a course exploring the Chemistry of Consumer Products, in which we discuss the effects manufacturing has on humans and the environment. I’ve performed research on a variety of topics including curriculum development of the General Chemistry labs, assessing water quality at the McDaniel Environmental Center, and the efficacy of sunscreens. I’m hoping to expand my interests even further with the assistance of students in my General Chemistry 2 classes.