He has also taught environmental chemistry and a course on nanotechnology for non-science majors. He received his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from Kansas State University studying novel methods of semiconductor nanoparticle synthesis. His current research involves the synthesis of metal oxide heterogeneous catalysts for the production of fuels from biomass. He recently spent a sabbatical year at the Colorado School of Mines working on a project with the National Renewable Energy Lab to upgrade pyrolysis vapors. Additionally, he has worked as a visiting scientist at the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis in Novosibirsk, Russia.