Professor, Chemistry

Kimberly A. Thomas, Ph.D., joined Middlesex in the fall of 2008 after teaching for 15 years at the University of Rhode Island, Saint Joseph College, Southern Connecticut State University, Quinnipiac University, and Gateway.

Kim earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Rhode Island, a master’s degree in chemistry from Saint Joseph College, and a bachelor of science in biology from Southern Connecticut State University. Her career has included both academia and industry. After graduating from Southern, she worked at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station analyzing produce and environmental samples for PCBs and pesticide residues. She later worked at a small private company performing quality control analyses of medical and pharmaceutical products.

Prior to returning to college in pursuit of graduate study, she worked in energetic materials at the Olin Corporation performing research on safer and more effective propellants for automotive and military applications. Her work contributed to a U.S. patent for “Continuous Process For The Production Of Azide Salts,” issued March 24, 1992.

While attending graduate school, Kim began teaching undergraduates and found that she enjoyed the challenge of clearly conveying sometimes difficult concepts to students. Teaching, along with research, became a focus during graduate school and continued after she earned her doctorate in 2000.

Kim’s time at Middlesex has been enjoyable and extremely busy. She has focused on serving students better by developing a 3-credit chemistry course for non-science majors, reevaluating and modifying course descriptions and prerequisites, broadening chemistry course offerings, creatively scheduling courses to meet student demand, supporting students by tutoring, and ensuring a safe and organized laboratory environment. In all of her courses, Kim hopes to engage students by sharing with them both her academic and real-world experiences.