Scott Gilbertson, Ph.D., is the M.D. Anderson Professor of Chemistry and associate dean of Faculty Affairs in the College of Natural Science and Mathematics. In addition to teaching sophomore organic chemistry, he runs a research group of approximately eight graduate students. Gilbertson's work is at the interface of chemistry and biology, developing methods for the synthesis of small molecules to facilitate their screening for biological activity. Many of Gilbertson's projects are carried out in collaboration with biomedical researchers to design and synthesize molecules active in several therapeutic areas including addiction, infectious disease and cancer. In this effort, he has collaborated with researchers at numerous institutions in the Texas Medical Center, including Baylor College of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Children’s Hospital and UTMB.  

Gilbertson was born in a small town in West Central Wisconsin. He obtained a bacherlor's degree from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and a master's degree from the University of Michigan, before receiving a doctorate degree from the University of Chicago. He started his professional career at Washington University in Saint Louis, where he met his wife, Michelle. After a 13-year stint at Washington University, Gilbertson was recruited to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and eventually came to the University of Houston (UH) in 2009.  

Gilberton’s wife, Michelle, Ph.D., serves as his full partner in the Faculty-in-Residence (FIR) Program. Michelle was born in Des Planes Ill., home of the original McDonalds. After obtaining a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Valparaiso University, she went on to pursue a doctorate degree from Northwestern University. Michelle is assistant chair in the Chemistry Department at Rice University, where she teaches courses offered in the first two years of study. She has a personal love of teaching and watching “the light come on” for students as they figure out how to succeed in college.  

While at Washington University, the Gilbertsons lived on campus in a role very similar to participating in UH’s FIR Program. They have two children in college, their daughter, Jordan, is a dance and physics major at UT Austin and their son, Noah, is in the family business as a chemistry major at Trinity University in San Antonio, where he is also playing soccer.  

When they are not focused on chemistry, they enjoy watching sports, in particular Liverpool FC and the Green Bay Packers. They also love to snow ski as a family. You can often find the duo walking their English Mastiffs (Phoebe and Rumor) on campus. The dogs are very friendly but somewhat slobbery. 

If you are a Moody Towers resident, please feel free to connect with the Gilbertsons to learn more about their engagement opportunities aimed at impacting academic and social success.