Dr. Andino (José) completed three years of chemistry studies at the University of El Salvador in the School of Chemistry and Pharmacy before transferring to the University of Louisville as a Fulbright undergraduate scholar and completed a BS degree in Chemistry with concentration in Biotechnology in 1997. He returned to Louisville to obtain a PhD degree with emphasis in organometallic chemistry of CO₂ under supervision of Prof. Dorothy Gibson in 2005. After this he served as a postdoctoral associate and a research associate at Indiana University, working under supervision of Profs. Mu-Hyun Baik, Kenneth Caulton and Daniel Mindiola, until 2012. José started his teaching career at Lamar University (Beaumont, TX) and taught General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry for two years. During this time José collaborated with colleagues in an interdisciplinary effort to revamp the curricula of entry-level chemistry courses to encourage group-oriented project-based learning of chemistry. José joined the General Chemistry teaching faculty at the University of Illinois in 2014.

Teaching Philosophy

In teaching chemistry, I find it very effective to simplify problems by using real life examples. When students learn to recognize that chemistry is not a stranger but that it is part of our daily lives, it becomes easier for them to think about fundamental concepts. Active participation of students engaging in problem-solving and project-based activities also guarantees a solid learning. With a strong foundation, complex concepts become easier to understand.

I like to think of myself as a facilitator to students in discovering the excitement of chemistry. It is important that students recognize how central chemistry is to their professional plans, in the health, natural, physical sciences and related fields. Part of a successful interaction with students relies in being passionate about what we do and I feel compelled to show students chemistry can well be their passion too.

I believe we are at a great moment in time for chemistry education. Technology allows us to convey ideas in ways that could otherwise be challenging. This evolving state-of-the-art technology guarantees that the chemistry educator will constantly require to advance to be able to offer the most to their students.

“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn”

                                                            John Cotton Dana