Jeff Fieberg

BIOGRAPHY

Jeffrey Fieberg joined the faculty at Centre College in 2005, was promoted to associate professor of chemistry in 2008, was promoted to full professor in 2017, and was named the John H. Walkup Professor of Chemistry in 2017.

Fieberg’s current research interests are in technical art historical investigations of modernist paintings and analysis of artists’ materials. Fieberg has participated as a Sabbatical Leave Research Fellow in Technical Art History at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) in 2011, 2019 and 2025. Working in the Conservation Science Laboratory directed by Dr. Gregory Smith ’95, technical analyses of works from the IMA’s European collection were performed using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, infrared microspectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Works investigated include those by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Paul Signac, Giorgio de Chirico, and Emile Bernard.

With his students, Fieberg investigates artwork on Centre’s campus, including corrosion products on The Flame and Lincoln sculptures, paintings in the college’s collection including Dead Fred, and paint on campus buildings of the “Impossible Chemical Formula, C6H0” that celebrated Centre’s epic 1921 win over Harvard.

Fieberg is a staunch advocate of the transformational experiences gained by studying abroad. As a Centre student, Fieberg studied art, architecture and music in Paris, Florence, Munich, and Amsterdam. Fieberg has led both semester programs and short-term travel courses in Europe and New Zealand. Fieberg co-directed the Centre-in-London program in 2010 and the Centre-in-Strasbourg program in 2013-14, 2017-18, 2022-23 and 2026. For the January CentreTerms in 2013, 2017, 2022 and 2023, he taught Molecular Modernism: Manet to Matisse as a three-week travel course in Paris and Provence. In addition, he has co-taught a course on the Physical Science of Volcanoes during CentreTerm 2025 in New Zealand. 

An energetic teacher, Fieberg performs demonstrations almost daily in his introductory general chemistry courses. In physical chemistry courses, Fieberg’s students explore the “secrets of the universe” by learning quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. Fieberg’s signature class, Molecular Modernism, is a truly interdisciplinary mix of science and art that he has taught in France and on campus with field trips to Indianapolis and Chicago or Washington D.C. In addition, Fieberg offers Chemical Analysis of Modernist Paintings as an upper-level elective for chemistry majors and minors with a field trip to Chicago and Indianapolis. 

Fieberg is highly active on campus; he has chaired the Division of Science and Mathematics, Chemistry Program, Natural Science Program, the Committee on Tenure and Reappointment, and the Strategic Planning Committee of the College Council. He serves as a faculty marshal at Centre College events, including Opening Convocation and Commencement. He also serves as the faculty advisor for the social fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, the student chapter of the American Chemical Society and as the faculty liaison for the varsity cross country and track and field teams. Fieberg is active within the Centre College Phi Beta Kappa chapter, frequently chairing the Members-in-Course subcommittee. Heavily invested in public engagement, Fieberg frequently performs chemistry demonstration shows at local schools with Centre students. 

EXPERT: Scientific Analyses of Modernist Paintings—Forgery Investigations of Paintings—Chemistry Demonstrations—STEM Study Abroad Courses 

Technical art historical and/or forgery analyses of paintings, including the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists using portable x-ray fluorescence (p-XRF) spectroscopy, reflectance spectroscopy, and infrared reflectography/ transmittography. Use of demonstrations to teach chemical concepts and/or engage the general public. Design and implementation of “Chemistry in Art” STEM study abroad course in Europe. 

AWARDS

• John Walkup Professorship of Chemistry (2017-present)
• Faculty Marshal (2020-present)
• Ormond Beatty Award (2024), Beta Theta Pi fraternity, to a professor who has gone above and beyond in aiding members of the chapter in their academic and personal pursuits
• Centre Scholar (2014-2016)
• Centre Scholar (2008-2010)
• David F. Hughes Award for Excellence in Teaching and Service (2010)
• Stodghill Research Professorship (2010)
• Named co-Most Dramatic Professor in Kentucky by Kentucky Monthly (2010)
• Outstanding Professor Award from Greek Life (2009)
• Outstanding Professor Award from Greek Life (2008)
• C. Eric Mount, Jr. Student Appreciation Award (2007)
• Kirk Award for Excellence in Teaching (2007)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS

• Phi Beta Kappa
• Omicron Delta Kappa
• American Chemical Society, Lexington Bluegrass Section (Vice Chair 2003, Chair-Elect 2004, Chair 2005, Councilor 2008-2010, National Chemistry Week Coordinator, 2005-2012)
• American Institute of Conservation
• International Council of Museums-Committee for Conservation (Friend)
• Project Kaleidoscope Faculty for the 21st Century, Class of 2007
• Sigma Xi
• Kentucky Academy of Sciences

COURSES TAUGHT

• Molecular Modernism: Manet to Matisse, taught in Paris and Provence, France
• Molecular Modernism: Manet to Marc, taught in Strasbourg, France
• Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy
• Thermodynamics and Kinetics
• Big Bang: Developing the Evidence
• General Chemistry I
• General Chemistry II
• Accelerated General Chemistry
• Chemical Analysis of Modernist Paintings

PUBLICATIONS

Recent Publications (a full list is included in the downloadable CV):

• Leonard T. Demoranville and Jeffrey E. Fieberg, “Developing the Evidence: Using the History of Science to Teach the Process of Science,” book chapter for Chemistry in General Education for the American Chemical Society Symposium Series eBooks Education Collection, pp. 95-110 (2023).
• Leonard T. Demoranville, Jeffrey E. Fieberg, Susan Campbell, Olivia R. Kane, Erin Wachter, and Karin J. Young, “Adding a Greenhouse Gas Module to a Molecular Modeling Activity in General Chemistry,” Journal of Chemical Education, 100, 2473-2477 (2023).
• Jeffrey E. Fieberg, “Development and Implementation of Molecular Modernism, a ‘Chemistry and Art’ Course with Travel Components in France or the United States,” book chapter for Contextualizing Chemistry in Art & Archaeology: Inspiration for Instructors for the American Chemical Society Symposium Series eBooks Education Collection, pp. 235-282 (2021).
• Jeffrey E. Fieberg and Gregory D. Smith, “Dry Laboratory Forgery Investigation of a Purported Giorgio de Chirico Painting for a ‘Chemistry in Art’ Course,” book chapter for Contextualizing Chemistry in Art & Archaeology: Inspiration for Instructors for the American Chemical Society Symposium Series eBooks Education Collection, pp. 315-356 (2021).
• Kristen D. Fulfer, Erin Wachter, Jennifer L. Muzyka, Leonard T. Demoranville, Jeffrey E. Fieberg, January D. Haile, Daniel Scott, Yang Song, José M. Workman, and Karin J. Young, “#StayCentred: Maintaining Personal Education at Centre College During COVID-19,” Journal of Chemical Education, 97, 2783-2787 (2020).
• Jeffrey E. Fieberg, Per Knutås, Kurt Hostettler, and Gregory D. Smith, ‘‘‘Paintings fade like flowers’: Pigment Analysis and Digital Reconstruction of a Faded Pink Lake Pigment in Vincent van Gogh’s Undergrowth with Two Figures,” Featured Paper, Applied Spectroscopy, 71, 794-808 (2017).