Chemistry & Education: Sister Rose Mulligan, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Immaculata University

Sister Rose Mulligan represents a unique dual calling: a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) and a dedicated Physical Chemist. Her work focuses on the delicate measurement of thermodynamic properties in thin films, alongside a passion for mentoring the next generation of scientists.

The Full Interview: The Multi-Tasking World of Academia

What is your educational background? My elementary years were in a four-classroom school in Jim Thorpe, PA. I realize now that an advantage was seeing what the older students were doing in class. I earned a B.A. in theology (’89) and a B.A. in chemistry (’93) from Immaculata University. My undergraduate years were interrupted because after my sophomore year, I decided to follow a call to the religious life and entered the convent. I taught junior high school for 10 years—all subjects, but with a special love for math and sciences. Eventually, I went back to school to earn an M.S. (’99) and Ph.D. (’02) in chemistry from Drexel University.

When did you first become interested in chemistry? In high school. We had a great teacher who helped us visualize atoms, molecules, and the whole world of chemical events occurring around us. In college, I started as a biology major but soon admitted it was chemistry that interested me. Working as a work-study student in the lab is where I grew in my appreciation; I began to see that it is not as difficult a subject when you get a chance to apply the classroom learning and see chemistry in action.

What exactly does a chemistry college professor do? A college professor learns a good deal about multi-tasking, balancing three important areas: teaching, research, and service.

  • Teaching: Requires time to prepare meaningful lectures, demonstrations, and laboratories.
  • Research: Ongoing research keeps a professor in contact with other professionals and reminds us that knowledge is about applying thinking skills to the real world.
  • Service: This includes enhancing the university learning atmosphere and serving on committees to improve student learning.

Do you do any research? Can you give an example of what you are working on? My dissertation involved an instrument nicknamed the QCM/HCC (Quartz Crystal Microbalance / Heat Conduction Calorimeter). It is capable of measuring three properties of a thin film (0.5 to 9 µm thick) as it is exposed to a chemical vapor. We measured the mass of vapor absorbed, the corresponding heat effects, and changes in the shear properties of the thin film simultaneously.

I applied this to protein and polymer films, determining diffusion coefficients and sorption isotherms. I also worked on developing experiments for a student heat conduction calorimeter to be used in undergraduate physical chemistry laboratories.

What has been the most challenging/difficult part of your job? The balancing of time and energy. It takes time to prepare meaningful classes and labs while remaining available to help students. Research also entails much time, as it is important to keep up on current literature and write grants to fund projects. It takes a lot of work and patience.

Where do you see the future of careers in chemistry? Chemistry is important in a variety of fields: food industries (flavor chemists), paint and ink developers, pharmaceutical and medical industries, and petroleum developers. And of course, there is always a need for a few good men and women to teach! It is through teaching that the flame for chemistry is carried on to the next generations.

What is the best way to prepare for a career as a college professor of chemistry? Be involved in your own college experience! Get to know the people in the chemistry department and, if possible, work in a lab. You may find out that everyone is learning and no one has all the answers. You’d be surprised by how much you can contribute. Your professors started off in the same way, learning the science day by day.

2026 Perspective: The Evolution of Chemical Education

Since Sister Rose shared these insights, the world of “Service, Teaching, and Research” has embraced new tools:

  • Green Chemistry: In 2026, chemical education focuses heavily on sustainability—designing labs that use fewer toxins and less energy, a concept Sister Rose’s calorimetry work touched upon through efficiency.
  • Interdisciplinary Reach: The “multi-tasking” she described now includes navigating digital modeling and AI-driven molecular simulations, which have become standard alongside physical lab work.

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