Faculty

Dr. Brothers received his doctorate in Inorganic Chemistry from Texas A&M University in December 2011 under the advisorship of Dr. Marcetta Darensbourg and Dr. Michael Hall, with dissertation research in biomimetic computational modeling of iron and copper active sites with applications for new fuel and energy sources.

He subsequently worked as an instructor in chemistry for engineering students as well as serving as a chemistry professor for visiting Saudi Arabian students in the spring of 2012 and completed a postdoctoral assignment with Dr. Hall in May 2012. Shortly after, Dr. Brothers began a tenure-track position at Bethany College in the fall of 2012.

His pedagogical interests are in active-learning inquiry-based modules in the classroom, integration of computational modules, student use of case studies, and implementation of green and sustainable techniques. His research interests are computational and quantum chemistry of inorganic systems, electrochemistry of conductive materials such as polymers, synthesis of nanomaterials, and thermodynamics of natural fuel sources.

Dr. Brothers always had a pretty wide array of interests: literature, history, politics, art, and music. However, science, and the discovery of the physical and natural worlds always really spoke to him in a very clear and fascinating way. Scientific study and research is rational and logical. It has always reassured him that no matter what humans do or believe, the world has a way to adapt. To get to teach something as beautiful as the behavior of the colors in the sky, the water filling our oceans, and the minerals under our feet is a true privilege.

Education
Ph.D., Texas A&M University (2005-2011)
B.S., Wheeling Jesuit University (2001 – 2005)

Areas of Passion & Research
Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Green Chemistry and Sustainability, General Chemistry, Spectroscopy, Computational Chemistry, Active Learning, Pedagogical Techniques, Thermodynamics, Kinetics, Electrochemistry.

Personal Interests
National and international travel, classic rock music, video gaming, going to the movies, science outreach, Pittsburgh Pirates

Favorite Quote, Book, or Movie … Why?
“So that when I look up at the night sky, and I know that yes we are part of this universe, we are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts is that the universe is in us. When I reflect on that fact, I look up- many people feel small, cause their small and the universe is big. But I feel big because my atoms came from those stars.There, is a level of connectivity.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson

Fun Facts
Oldest of my siblings
Passionate fan of major league baseball
Have an extensive collection of vintage video game memorabilia

Volunteer Work
Proud advisor to the American Chemical Society Bethany Affiliates, who do extensive science outreach in the local area and the greater Pittsburgh area

Recent Publications (within the past 7 years)

Hsieh, C.-H.; Brothers, S.M.; Reibenspies, J.H.; Hall, M.B.; Popescu, C.V.; Darensbourg, M.Y. Inorg. Chem. 2013, 52, 2119-2124.
Hsieh, C. -H.; Erdem, Ö. F.; Harman, S. D.; Singleton, M. L.; Reijerse, E.; Lubitz, W.; Popescu, C.V.; Reibenspies, J.H.; Brothers, S.M.; Hall, M.B.; Darensbourg, M.Y. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 13089-13102.
Hess, J. L.; Hsieh, C. -H.; Brothers, S. M.; Hall, M. B.; Darensbourg, M. Y. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 20426-20434.
Brothers, S.M.; Darensbourg, M.Y.; Hall, M.B. Inorg. Chem., 2011, 50, 8532-8540.
Hsieh, C. -H.; Chupik, R. B.; Brothers, S. M.; Hall, M. B. Darensbourg, M. Y. Dalton Trans., 2011, 40, 6047-6053.
Schierloh, E. M.; Brothers, S. M.; Choi, D.; Hepp, A. F.; Baird, M. J.; Hoops, M. H.; Duffy, N. V. J. Undergrad Chem. Res., 2011, 10, 123-128.