Christine Ingersoll

Christine Ingersoll serves as Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Interdisciplinary Science Program at Muhlenberg College, where she bridges analytical chemistry with biological and neuroscientific research through active collaborations with faculty and industry partners.

Academic Background:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry from State University of New York at Buffalo
• B.S. in Chemistry, magna cum laude, from State University of New York, College at Oswego

Her research program emphasizes cross-disciplinary analytical problem-solving, utilizing HPLC, LC-MS, and GC-MS to investigate plant-insect interactions with biologist Richard Niesenbaum and GABAA receptor modulation with neuroscientist Jeremy Teissere. Industry partnerships with Johnson & Johnson and The Mentholatum Company focus on cell culture media analysis and pharmaceutical degradation studies, demonstrating real-world applicability of her method development expertise. Teaching remains central to her mission, with specialization in analytical chemistry sequences and instrumentation courses that integrate industry laboratory visits.

Publication trends reveal sustained innovation in analytical methodology across ecological, pharmaceutical, and educational domains since 1996, consistently featuring undergraduate co-authors. Her work shows particular strength in fluorescence spectroscopy applications and sol-gel sensor development, with recent emphasis on mass spectrometry techniques for complex biological systems.

Scientific Recognition:

• American Chemical Society Women Chemists Committee Rising Star Award (2012)
• Open Educational Resources Grant (2017-2018)
• Six Faculty Summer Research Grants spanning 1999-2018
• Donald B. Hoffman Research Fellowship (2009-2010)

Mentorship defines her academic impact, with eight named undergraduate research students co-authoring publications across plant biochemistry, environmental analysis, and biosensor development. Her grant portfolio supports both summer research programs and curriculum innovation, including automation integration in teaching laboratories. As Director of the Interdisciplinary Science Program, she cultivates collaborative research environments where students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard instrumentation while contributing to peer-reviewed publications.

Laboratory operations center on advanced chromatography and mass spectrometry facilities, maintained through ongoing industry partnerships that provide students with exposure to pharmaceutical and environmental testing protocols. Current projects with neuroscience colleagues explore herbal extract characterization for neurological applications, extending her analytical expertise into emerging therapeutic domains.