Matthew Schipma, PhD
Instructor, Chemistry
Matthew Schipma, PhD, teaches general chemistry, one of the
first courses students take when they begin their academic journeys
at NUHS. He's been an instructor at NUHS since 2005.
Dr. Schipma earned his doctorate in biochemistry from Loyola
University Chicago, his Master of Science in computer science from
DePaul University and his Bachelor's in biology and chemistry from
Trinity Christian College.
In addition to teaching at NUHS, he also works in biomedical
research at a core facility which offers shared services and
resources to various researchers and investigators. He's frequently
involved in projects analyzing gene expression in cells or
tissue.
Dr. Schipma gained a passion for chemistry later on in his
academic career. "As an undergrad I wasn't interested in chemistry
at first, but rather biology instead," he said. "As my coursework
in biology advanced, I started to gain an appreciation for the
chemical nature of molecular and cellular biology. Therefore,
I studied biochemistry in graduate school, which provided the
foundation for my career in bioinformatics."
One of Dr. Schipma's favorite parts about teaching is
interacting with students. "I'm constantly amazed at how engaged
NUHS students are about chemistry, and how eager they are to
learn," he said. "I realize that chemistry might not be the
most exciting coursework at NUHS, but that doesn't stop students
from showing a genuine interest in the subject."
He believes what sets NUHS apart is the smaller, cohesive
student body.
"I've observed time and time again how well the students
cooperate with one another toward reaching their educational goals.
General chemistry is often one of the first courses students
take at NUHS, so I have the distinct pleasure
of watching a group of strangers develop strong friendships,"
he said.
Outside of his science career, Dr. Schipma is married with six
children, which includes two sets of twins.
