Dr. Colleen Kelley is a chemistry educator, researcher, author, and science communicator passionate about expanding access to science education and building molecular literacy for learners of all ages. Her work closely aligns with the Chemists Without Borders ethos of “Science in Service to Humanity,” particularly the belief that science can empower communities, improve quality of life, and create meaningful human connection across cultures and borders. Throughout her career, she has taught chemistry and conducted research in international settings, including Hong Kong, Brazil, Kenya, Strasbourg, and Toulouse, experiences that reinforced her belief that chemistry is a universal language shared by all people.
Dr. Kelley’s research background includes work on malaria and a patent related to leishmaniasis therapeutics. She is the author of chemistry textbooks and educational media and is widely recognized for creating innovative approaches that combine chemistry with storytelling, comics, games, and visual learning. She is the creator of Kids’ Chemical Solutions and the M.C. Detective Agency comic book series, educational platforms designed to make chemistry more accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. A former university chemistry professor and current elementary science educator, she has spent more than 30 years teaching chemistry across educational levels. In 2023, she received an Emmy Award for the PBS short documentary Comic Book Chemistry and later presented the TEDx talk “Molecular Literacy for Ages 8–108.”
Beyond the classroom and laboratory, Dr. Kelley is deeply interested in creativity, art, food, and the ways science appears in everyday life. She believes curiosity and storytelling can open doors to science for students who may not initially see themselves reflected in STEM spaces. Her work continues to focus on building inclusive, joyful, and human-centered approaches to chemistry education that connect science to culture, community, and lived experience.
