Simon Mwongela

Dr. Mwongela grew up in Wenyeani village in Makueni County, Kenya. His interest in science started at an early stage as he was fascinated by discovery of traditional herbal medicine as he took care of his father’s cattle after school hours or on school vacations. He was good at mathematics, but chemistry was one of his weakest subjects; however, due to his passion and love for it, hard work and determination, it became his greatest strength and his livelihood. He started his teaching and research career at Kent State University (KSU) in Ohio before moving to Georgia Gwinnett College where he is now an associate professor of chemistry.

Mwongela has a passion for teaching and most students enjoy his teaching style, which incorporates short introductions to topics followed by problem solving with an emphasis on building critical thinking and analytical problem solving skills. He loves and enjoys tutoring and helping students at the Academic Enhancement Center (AEC/tutoring center) overcome their learning barriers and develop learning skills to help them succeed in their studies and future careers. His hobbies include playing soccer, swimming and bike riding, and he enjoys watching college football.

Mwongela’s research interests include the application of analytical chemistry to investigate complex chemical and biochemical phenomena using chromatographic techniques such as HPLC, GC and capillary electrophoresis (CE) for analytical, bioanalytical and environmental separations.

• Doctorate – analytical chemistry – Louisiana State University
• Bachelor’s – chemistry – University of Nairobi
• Post Doc – chemistry – University of California-Irvine

• Problem based and active learning teaching methods
• Lipids cell signaling and cancer
• Capillary electrophoresis and chromatographic separations
• Synthesis and application of surfactants in chemical separations

• Recipient of the award for Superior Performance and Productivity in Chemical Research at LSU
• Recipient of Farris Family Innovation Award at KSU