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Western Colorado University / Jen Herdman
Jen Herdman

Jen Herdman

Lecturer in Chemistry
970.943.7087
Hurst Hall 232A

Education

Ph.D., The George Washington University, Chemistry, 2012
M.S., Baker University, Teaching, 2017
B.S., Saint Mary's College, Chemistry, 2005

Departments

Academic Programs

Biography

How did you discover Western?

I discovered Western when I came out to Gunnison for some hiking in the summer of 2018.

What are some of the highlights of your career?

Besides being able to work with amazing students every day, highlights of my career include being able to conduct research and live in the Netherlands as well as coach both men’s and women’s soccer while teaching high school chemistry in Garden City, Kansas.

What most excites you about your field?

Spectroscopy and being able to use it to identify various chemical structures has always been something that fascinates me.

What is your favorite thing about the Gunnison Valley?

Hands down my favorite thing about the Gunnison Valley is hiking with my dog, Max. So far, Mill Castle Trail is one of our favorites.

More About Professor Herdman

B.S., Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN, Chemistry, 2005
Spectroscopy of Highly Excited Vibrational States of Formaldehyde by Dispersed Fluorescence

Ph.D., The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., Chemistry, 2012
The Role of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soot Formation: A Theoretical and Experimental Study

Postdoctoral Research, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, 2012-2014
Silica Formation in Flames

Garden City High School, Garden City, KS, 2014-2019
Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering Teacher
2016 Finney County Crystal Apple Award

Western Colorado University, Gunnison, CO, 2019-Present
General Chemistry and Physical Chemistry Lecturer

Courses Taught

  • CHEM 111: General Chemistry 1
  • CHEM 112: General Chemistry Lab
  • CHEM 451: Physical Chemistry 1

Publications

Intermolecular potential calculations for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon clusters
JD Herdman, JH Miller
The Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2008, 112 (28), 6249-6256

A comparison of Raman signatures and laser-induced incandescence with direct numerical simulation of soot growth in non-premixed ethylene/air flames
JD Herdman, BC Connelly, MD Smooke, MB Long, JH Miller
Carbon, 2011, 49 (15), 5298-5311

External Professional Affiliations

Previously taught at Garden City High School in Garden City, Kansas.

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