Brad Sturgeon

Meet Professor Sturgeon

Years at Knox: 2025 to present

Brad Sturgeon received a B.S./M.S. in chemistry from Illinois State University in 1987 and 1989 and a Ph.D in physical chemistry from the University of California, Davis in 1994. Sturgeon was a postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University, University of Chicago Medical Center, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/NIH. His professional life has been spent in academia ranging from teaching at a residential, science, and math high school through major research university.

Sturgeon settled into the liberal arts college environment in 2007 by joining the chemistry faculty at Monmouth College. At Monmouth, he focused on teaching General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry (Thermodynamics/Quantum Mechanics), and promoted hands-on lab experiences (including glass blowing, drone technology, underwater sonar, and field work in the Bahamas). His research program included the study of the microbiome and the detection of enzyme-generated radical intermediates using ESR/EPR spectroscopy and HPLC. He has studied the science underlying coffee, beer, and fireworks and acquired a collection of "maker" tools including 3D printers (FDM/SLA), laser cutter/etcher, VR-technology equipment, and wood-metal-glass working equipment. He is a co-owner/brewer at the Patton Block Grill and Brewpub in Monmouth. He is married to Katherine (since 1994) and together they have raised two adult children, both having attended fine liberal arts colleges (Monmouth and Luther). Brad retired from teaching at Monmouth College in spring 2024 and currently lives in Alexandria, VA, just outside of DC.