Susanne Lewis, Ph.D.

Chair, Natural and Physical Sciences Department;
Director, Chemistry Program;
Professor of Chemistry

Office Phone: 269.749.7629
Email: smlewis@olivetcollege.edu

Professor Susanne Lewis earned a bachelor’s in chemistry from Regis College and doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of New Hampshire with a focus on mechanistic studies in carbene and polyurethane chemistry. Her dissertation research explored photolysis of a phenanthrene-based carbene precursor, mechanistic studies of triazinanetriols and difunctional isocyanates using calorimetry, and computational studies exploring the lowest energy pathway for the interconversion of axial-methylcyclohexane to equatorial-methylcyclohexane using semi-empirical levels of theory.

As part of her preparation for teaching at the college level, Prof. Lewis completed a cognate in college teaching from the University of New Hampshire and was awarded the Future Faculty Scholarship. She is a member in good standing of the American Chemical Society (Chemical Education and Organic Chemistry divisions), the Council on Undergraduate Research, the Michigan Chemistry College Teachers Association, Sigma Zeta National Science and Mathematics Honor Society (Alpha Eta chapter), and Alpha Chi Sigma professional chemistry fraternity.

Prof. Lewis was nominated for the U.S. Professor of the Year award for her excellence in teaching and curricular development. She teaches a wide range of chemistry courses at Olivet College.