Interested in the Why: Dr. Kyle Knust

by Matthew Flaten
dr. kyle knust

  • Millikin University’s Dr. Kyle Knust has loved science for as long as he can remember. For Knust, an Associate Professor of Chemistry, answering science’s questions has been paramount from the beginning. 

    “I’ve always been interested in the why. Not just the result of things, but why things are happening, and chemistry was a natural fit for wanting to answer the why of those fundamental science questions,” Knust said. “I was always interested in science in middle and high school, particularly when we had the opportunity to do experiments. That was why I chose to major in chemistry in college. I really didn’t know specifically what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go with it, but I knew I enjoyed science.”

    chemistry equipment

     

    Now, as Director of the School of Chemistry & Physics, Knust hopes to instill that passion for science in the next generation of students by leading the creation of the Big Blue STEM Scholars project, thanks to a six-year,  $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation (see page 8). 

    The project will begin in the fall of 2025 and provide, over its six-year duration, scholarships to at least 15 unique full-time first-year or transfer students who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics or Physics.

    The grant was prepared by Dr. Jenna Smith and Dr. Jennifer Schroeder from the School of Biological & Environmental Studies, Dr. Emily Olson from the School of Mathematics & Computational Sciences, and Knust will lead as the grant’s Principal Investigator (PI).

    • We hope to use this project to create a surge in STEM applicants, including students from groups underrepresented in STEM, to further strengthen STEM programs here at Millikin,” Knust said. “The overall goal of this project is to increase the completion of STEM degrees for high-achieving undergraduates with financial needs so these graduates may pursue STEM careers.
    — Dr. Kyle Knust, Director of School of Chemistry & Physics

  • Knust is originally from Jasper, Ind., and attended the University of Evansville before moving to the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry. Coming to Millikin after graduation, Kyle was joined by his wife, Alyse DeSoto Knust, who now serves as Millikin’s Assistant Vice President of Alumni & Donor Engagement. The couple have two children, Keagan, 6, and Calvin, 3. 

    Knust’s research interests include electrochemistry (the study of chemical processes that cause electrons to move), microfluidics (the study of how to manipulate and process small amounts of fluids), and desalination (the process of removing salt from water to make it suitable for human consumption). 

    He continues that research alongside Millikin students at the Knust Research Group, an undergraduate research group he founded. Knust recently received a 2024 Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award for the Knust Research Group’s collaboration with the University of Notre Dame on the Distributed Pharmaceutical Analysis Lab (Project DPAL), which provides high-quality, validated chemical analysis of pharmaceutical samples from partners in the developing world.

    Dr. Kyle Knust

     

    “The Knust Research Group is all about student professional development. We have a variety of research avenues, and the award will help support the Knust Research Group’s work with Project DPAL so we can expand our research on pharmaceutical ingredients,” Knust said. 

    While some Millikin programs can highlight their student’s performance in concerts, theatre productions or on the athletic field, STEM students don’t have that public outlet to highlight their research. 

    “We can’t bring people in to watch what students are doing in the lab or some of the cool things our alumni are doing in STEM. Sometimes we work behind the scenes in STEM, so I think this is nice to remind, especially the regional community, that Millikin is a destination for STEM,” Knust said.

    • We’ve got more demand for our Chemistry and Physics majors right now than what we have in supply. They’re also being paid very handsome salaries locally and regionally in various industries, and our placement rates are essentially 100% for STEM students after graduation.
    — Dr. Kyle Knust, Director of School of Chemistry & Physics

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