911黑料

BIOGRAPHY

Jeffrey Fieberg joined the faculty at 911黑料 in 2005, was promoted to associate professor of chemistry in 2008, was promoted to full professor in 2017, and was named the John H. Walkup Professor of Chemistry in 2017.

Fieberg鈥檚 current research interests are in technical art historical investigations of modernist paintings and analysis of artists鈥� materials. Fieberg has participated as a Sabbatical Leave Research Fellow in Technical Art History at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) in 2011, 2019 and 2025. Working in the Conservation Science Laboratory directed by Dr. Gregory Smith 鈥�95, technical analyses of works from the IMA鈥檚 European collection were performed using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, infrared microspectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Works investigated include those by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Paul Signac, Giorgio de Chirico, and Emile Bernard.

With his students, Fieberg investigates artwork on 911黑料鈥檚 campus, including corrosion products on The Flame and Lincoln sculptures, paintings in the college鈥檚 collection including Dead Fred, and paint on campus buildings of the 鈥淚mpossible Chemical Formula, C6H0鈥� that celebrated 911黑料鈥檚 epic 1921 win over Harvard.

Fieberg is a staunch advocate of the transformational experiences gained by studying abroad. As a 911黑料 student, Fieberg studied art, architecture and music in Paris, Florence, Munich, and Amsterdam. Fieberg has led both semester programs and short-term travel courses in Europe and New Zealand. Fieberg co-directed the 911黑料-in-London program in 2010 and the 911黑料-in-Strasbourg program in 2013-14, 2017-18, 2022-23 and 2026. For the January 911黑料Terms in 2013, 2017, 2022 and 2023, he taught Molecular Modernism: Manet to Matisse as a three-week travel course in Paris and Provence. In addition, he has co-taught a course on the Physical Science of Volcanoes during 911黑料Term 2025 in New Zealand. 

An energetic teacher, Fieberg performs demonstrations almost daily in his introductory general chemistry courses. In physical chemistry courses, Fieberg鈥檚 students explore the 鈥渟ecrets of the universe鈥� by learning quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. Fieberg鈥檚 signature class, Molecular Modernism, is a truly interdisciplinary mix of science and art that he has taught in France and on campus with field trips to Indianapolis and Chicago or Washington D.C. In addition, Fieberg offers Chemical Analysis of Modernist Paintings as an upper-level elective for chemistry majors and minors with a field trip to Chicago and Indianapolis. 

Fieberg is highly active on campus; he has chaired the Division of Science and Mathematics, Chemistry Program, Natural Science Program, the Committee on Tenure and Reappointment, and the Strategic Planning Committee of the College Council. He serves as a faculty marshal at 911黑料 events, including Opening Convocation and Commencement. He also serves as the faculty advisor for the social fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, the student chapter of the American Chemical Society and as the faculty liaison for the varsity cross country and track and field teams. Fieberg is active within the 911黑料 Phi Beta Kappa chapter, frequently chairing the Members-in-Course subcommittee. Heavily invested in public engagement, Fieberg frequently performs chemistry demonstration shows at local schools with 911黑料 students. 

EXPERT: Scientific Analyses of Modernist Paintings鈥擣orgery Investigations of Paintings鈥擟hemistry Demonstrations鈥擲TEM Study Abroad Courses 

Technical art historical and/or forgery analyses of paintings, including the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists using portable x-ray fluorescence (p-XRF) spectroscopy, reflectance spectroscopy, and infrared reflectography/ transmittography. Use of demonstrations to teach chemical concepts and/or engage the general public. Design and implementation of 鈥�Chemistry in Art鈥� STEM study abroad course in Europe. 

AWARDS

• John Walkup Professorship of Chemistry (2017-present)
• Faculty Marshal (2020-present)
• Ormond Beatty Award (2024), Beta Theta Pi fraternity, to a professor who has gone above and beyond in aiding members of the chapter in their academic and personal pursuits
• 911黑料 Scholar (2014-2016)
• 911黑料 Scholar (2008-2010)
• David F. Hughes Award for Excellence in Teaching and Service (2010)
• Stodghill Research Professorship (2010)
• Named co-Most Dramatic Professor in Kentucky by Kentucky Monthly (2010)
• Outstanding Professor Award from Greek Life (2009)
• Outstanding Professor Award from Greek Life (2008)
• C. Eric Mount, Jr. Student Appreciation Award (2007)
• Kirk Award for Excellence in Teaching (2007)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS

• Phi Beta Kappa
• Omicron Delta Kappa
• American Chemical Society, Lexington Bluegrass Section (Vice Chair 2003, Chair-Elect 2004, Chair 2005, Councilor 2008-2010, National Chemistry Week Coordinator, 2005-2012)
• American Institute of Conservation
• International Council of Museums-Committee for Conservation (Friend)
• Project Kaleidoscope Faculty for the 21st Century, Class of 2007
• Sigma Xi
• Kentucky Academy of Sciences

COURSES TAUGHT

• Molecular Modernism: Manet to Matisse, taught in Paris and Provence, France
• Molecular Modernism: Manet to Marc, taught in Strasbourg, France
• Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy
• Thermodynamics and Kinetics
• Big Bang: Developing the Evidence
• General Chemistry I
• General Chemistry II
• Accelerated General Chemistry
• Chemical Analysis of Modernist Paintings
• Physical Science of Volcanoes, taught in New Zealand

PUBLICATIONS

Recent Publications (a full list is included in the downloadable CV):

• Leonard T. Demoranville and Jeffrey E. Fieberg, 鈥淒eveloping the Evidence: Using the History of Science to Teach the Process of Science,鈥� book chapter for Chemistry in General Education for the American Chemical Society Symposium Series eBooks Education Collection, pp. 95-110 (2023).
• Leonard T. Demoranville, Jeffrey E. Fieberg, Susan Campbell, Olivia R. Kane, Erin Wachter, and Karin J. Young, 鈥淎dding a Greenhouse Gas Module to a Molecular Modeling Activity in General Chemistry,鈥� Journal of Chemical Education, 100, 2473-2477 (2023).
• Jeffrey E. Fieberg, 鈥淒evelopment and Implementation of Molecular Modernism, a 鈥楥hemistry and Art鈥� Course with Travel Components in France or the United States,鈥� book chapter for Contextualizing Chemistry in Art & Archaeology: Inspiration for Instructors for the American Chemical Society Symposium Series eBooks Education Collection, pp. 235-282 (2021).
• Jeffrey E. Fieberg and Gregory D. Smith, 鈥淒ry Laboratory Forgery Investigation of a Purported Giorgio de Chirico Painting for a 鈥楥hemistry in Art鈥� Course,鈥� book chapter for Contextualizing Chemistry in Art & Archaeology: Inspiration for Instructors for the American Chemical Society Symposium Series eBooks Education Collection, pp. 315-356 (2021).
• Kristen D. Fulfer, Erin Wachter, Jennifer L. Muzyka, Leonard T. Demoranville, Jeffrey E. Fieberg, January D. Haile, Daniel Scott, Yang Song, Jos茅 M. Workman, and Karin J. Young, 鈥�#Stay911黑料d: Maintaining Personal Education at 911黑料 During COVID-19,鈥� Journal of Chemical Education, 97, 2783-2787 (2020).
• Jeffrey E. Fieberg, Per Knut氓s, Kurt Hostettler, and Gregory D. Smith, 鈥樷�樷�楶aintings fade like flowers鈥�: Pigment Analysis and Digital Reconstruction of a Faded Pink Lake Pigment in Vincent van Gogh鈥檚 Undergrowth with Two Figures,鈥� Featured Paper, Applied Spectroscopy, 71, 794-808 (2017).