Kimberly Milligan
Kimberly Milligan
Dr. Kimberly A. Milligan is a renowned chemist and academic leader who has made significant contributions to the fields of water quality analysis and experiential learning. Dr. Milligan is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Delaware State University, where she also serves as the Director of the Delaware State Water Quality Lab and the Hemp Analysis Lab, as well as the Co-Chair of Student Success. Dr. Milligan is a proud triple alumna of Delaware State University, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry in 2001, her master’s degree in Biological Sciences in 2004, and went on to earn her Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry in 2012. Her experiences as a student taught her valuable lessons that inform her work today as a faculty member and perhaps, a future administrator. Her doctoral research focused on developing novel biocompatible intranasal drug delivery system for the potential treatment neurological disorders and her work was recognized with the prestigious fellowship from NASA (2009-2012).
Following the completion of her Ph.D., Dr. Milligan started an analytical testing company, BG Laboratory, Inc., where she analyzed sample composition, wastewater testing, and performed product formulations for several clients. In 2017, Dr. Milligan joined the faculty at Delaware State University as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry. She quickly established herself as a leading expert in the field of water quality analysis and was appointed as the Director of the Delaware State Water Quality Lab in 2018. Under her leadership, the lab has become a NELAP nationally accredited center of excellence in the analysis of water quality, providing critical training for graduate and undergraduate students, education, and public health efforts in the state of Delaware and beyond. In 2022, Dr. Milligan rose to the rank of Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry. In addition to her work on water quality analysis, Dr. Milligan has also been a pioneer in the emerging field of hemp analysis. In 2019, she established the Hemp Analysis Lab in the Department of Chemistry at Delaware State University, becoming one of the first academic researchers in the United States to focus on the chemical analysis of industrial hemp. Her work in this area has helped to advance our understanding of the chemistry and composition of hemp, as well as the potential applications of hemp-based products in agriculture, medicine, and industry.
Dr. Milligan is also a committed educator and mentor. She has trained and mentored more than 35 students (graduate and undergraduate) and serves as the Co-Chair of Student Success in the Department of Chemistry at Delaware State University since 2022. In this role, she has been instrumental in developing and implementing initiatives to support the academic and personal success of students, particularly those from underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
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