Faculty & Staff
Degrees
Ph.D., 2005, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Postdoctoral Researcher, 2005, University of Utah (with Matt Sigman)
Research Interests
Dr. Balija’s research focuses on developing methods to visualize microplastics from aqueous environments utilizing commercially available dyes. To minimize waste, she is developing biorenewable polymers and environmentally friendly macromolecules that remove organic pollutants from water.
She also is interested in developing new laboratory experiments for introductory chemistry courses and developing methods for maintaining diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect ideals in the classroom.
Selected Publications
Kennedy, S. A.; Balija, A. M.; Bibeau, C.; Fuhrer, T. J.; Huston, L. A.; Jackson, M. S.; Lane, K. T.; Lau, J. K.; Liss, S.; Monceaux, C. J.; Stefaniak, K. R. Phelps-Durr, T. “Faculty Professional Development on Inclusive Pedagogy Yields Chemistry Curriculum Transformation, Equity Awareness, and Community” J. Chem. Educ. 2022, 291-300.
Balija, A. M. “1H NMR Spectroscopy Guided-Inquiry Activity Using the NMR Spectrometer: Incorporating Student-Generated Videos to Assess Learning” J. Chem. Educ. 2020, 97, 1387-1390.
Bernhardt, K. T.;* Collins, H. G.;* Balija, A. M. “Biorenewable Triblock Copolymers Consisting of L-Lactide and ε-Caprolactone for Removing Organic Pollutants from Water: A Lifecycle Neutral Solution” BMC Chemistry 2019, 13, 122.
Balija, A. M.; Morsch, L. “Inquiry Based IR Spectroscopy Exercise for the Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory Using iSpartan or Spartan” J. Chem. Educ. 2019, 96, 970-973.
