Dr. Robert Keesey: Associate Professor of Chemistry at Felician University, Inspiring Students and Advancing Scientific Education

“Chemistry is so vast, and there are so many things to talk about, it is crucial that the teaching has cohesion, and that is the task of the instructor.” Dr. Robert Keesey likes to talk about and teach Chemistry.
He started as an Associate Professor of Chemistry in September 2021, teaching one Chemistry course- Introductory Chemistry specifically for nursing students. Before arriving at Felician, Prof. Keesey taught for 18 years, most recently at Andrew College in Georgia. Prior to that, he was a Chemistry Professor at William Woods University in Missouri, Elon University in North Carolina, and Eastern Connecticut State University.

Dr. Keesey earned a PhD in Bioanalytical Chemistry from Marquette University, and his postdoctoral specialization was in Neuroscience at Seton Hall University, where he specialized in epilepsy, studying how electricity moves through protein. Dr. Alfredo Castro, Felician Professor of Chemistry and Natural Sciences, says that he looks forward to returning to that mode of testing and experimentation at Felician University. “Dealing with proteins is easy because it requires minimal storage and handling. An undergraduate student can easily manipulate that particular sample, and that is something I look forward to doing again.”

According to Prof. Keesey it is crucial to make chemistry, “familiar and relatable,” so students will not find it intimidating. He says chemists are “teacher-scholars,” and is excited about the prospect of having a laboratory at Felician University. A bioelectric chemist, Prof. Keesey, says he has electrodes, instruments, and apparatus, saying, “I hope I have enough space to put together my instrumentation so I can do research again.”

Prof. Keesey was raised a Catholic and says his faith sustains his science. “I do not believe the idea that having a creator is in contrast to being a scientist. When I came to Felician it all pulled together, my faith, my ability to be able to do research again, and the teaching opportunity of doing something that is very manageable in terms of the teaching load.”
As far as teaching at Felician, Dr. Keesey appreciates the Felician Franciscan values that guide the University, as well as the diversity of our student body, “It makes a difference when you teach at a culturally diverse University like Felician. It changes the dynamic.”