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Education

Ed. D. Upper Education Administration

M.S., Chemistry, Purdue University

B.A., Chemistry, University of Minnesota – Morris

Biography

Professor Montag earned a B.A. in Chemistry at the University of Minnesota – Morris. During his undergraduate career, he performed research under Dr. Zack Mensinger on the synthesis, modification, and experimentation of metal-organic frameworks known as Tb-MesoMOF, HKUST-1, and MOF-5 and analyzed their adsorption properties with the overarching goal of studying the Amyloid Beta protein and research on Alzheimer’s Disease. He then went to Purdue University, where his Master’s research was done under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Uyeda, in the areas of Organometallic Chemistry, Synthesis, and Catalysis. His overarching research projects were on the synthesis of potential scaffolds that could possibly support unsaturated and reactive metal-metal bonds and on the development of synthetic strategies for utilizing vinylidenes in C—H sp3 insertion reactions. Professor Montag started at ������ý��Ƶ in 2018. Professor Montag is currently pursuing his Educational Doctorate degree from ������ý��Ƶ.

Teaching

Professor Montag is passionate about teaching chemistry as a tool to help students shape the future. He has expertise teaching in the areas of Catalysis, Sustainability, and Organic Chemistry. His current primary responsibilities focus on the organic chemistry laboratory experience, including coordinating, preparing, and creating organic chemistry labs. Some of his current courses include:

• Organic Chemistry I and II (CHM 252 and CHM 256)
• Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II (CHM 253 and CHM 257)
• Concepts of Organic Chemistry (CHM 250)

Scholarship

Professor Montag’s current research interests focus on Chemistry Education.

Area 1: This research area focusses on comparing and contrasting how expository, traditional laboratory teaching styles affect student perceptions of their learning versus how guided-inquiry laboratory teaching styles affect student perceptions of their learning. These specific pedagogical approaches are important in shaping the students’ learning experiences in organic chemistry.

Area 2: This research area focusses on developing novel first semester organic chemistry labs that seek to better promote content retention, confidence, and communication skills.

Area 3: This research area focusses on developing novel, multi-week organic chemistry laboratory projects seeking to also promote content retention, confidence, and communication skills in the laboratory. Current projects include natural product synthesis, fragrance chemistry, forensics, catalysis, green chemistry, organometallics, and organic methodology development.

Recent Publications:

Fry, M. R., McQuade, K. L., Campbell, D. J., Montag, S. D.; “Guided Inquiry Outperforms Traditional Expository Approach in Developing Soft Skills in Organic Chemistry Laboratory Courses.” Journal of Chemical Education. 2025. Submitted.

Levandoski, K.C., Jiotis, C., Kenar, J. A., Kregel, S. J., Montag, S. D.; “Open-Source Photochemistry in the Organic Chemistry Teaching Laboratory.” ACS Omega. 2025, 10, 47415-47420.

Lee, V.T., Kellenberger, J. H., Borton, K., Montag, S. D.; “A Citrus Serenade: An Improved Procedure for the Imine Condensation Reaction in Undergraduate Laboratories.” Journal of Chemical Education. 2024, 101 (11), 5129-5133. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00963

Montag, S.D.; “Utilizing the Imine Condensation in Organic Chemistry Teaching Laboratories to Reinforce Steric Effects, Electronic Effects, and Green Chemistry Principles.” Journal of Chemical Education. 2023, 100 (11), 4456-4461. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00438

Professional Experience

Publications

Montag, S.D.; “An Efficient, Scalable Approach to a Novel Dinuclear Nickel Complex.” Master’s Thesis. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907.

Montag, S.D.; “Transformation of the Organic Chemistry Laboratory: A Movement towards an Inquiry-Based Laboratory Experience.” Doctoral Thesis. ������ý��Ƶ, Peoria, Il 61625.

Montag, S.D.; “Utilizing the Imine Condensation in Organic Chemistry Teaching Laboratories to Reinforce Steric Effects, Electronic Effects, and Green Chemistry Principles.” Journal of Chemical Education. 2023, 100 (11), 4456-4461. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00438

Presentations

Kellenberger, J.; Borton, K.; Montag, S. “Squeezing Out New Insights in Imine Condensation Reactions.” ������ý��Ƶ EXPO. Peoria, IL.

Jiotis, C.; Kregel, S.; Montag, S. “Optimizing Bromination Reaction Conditions Harnessing a 3D Printed Photoreactor fir ab Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratory.” ������ý��Ƶ EXPO. Peoria, IL.

Lee. V.; Montag, S. “Squeeze the Day: Utilizing the Imine Condensation in the Organic Teaching Laboratory.” ������ý��Ƶ EXPO. Peoria, IL.

Martin, N.; Enciso, A.; Montag, S. “Easing the Pain of the Organic Chemistry Laboratory.” ������ý��Ƶ EXPO. Peoria, IL.

Hoevelmann, G.; Montag, S. “Hopefully this Laboratory Experiment Makes Scents.” ������ý��Ƶ EXPO. Peoria, IL.

Lee. V.; Montag, S. “Squeeze the Day: Utilizing the Imine Condensation in the Organic Teaching Laboratory.” ������ý��Ƶ EXPO. Peoria, IL.

Martin, N.; Enciso, A.; Montag, S. “Easing the Pain of the Organic Chemistry Laboratory.” ������ý��Ƶ EXPO. Peoria, IL.

Hoevelmann, G.; Montag, S. “Hopefully this Laboratory Experiment Makes Scents.” ������ý��Ƶ EXPO. Peoria, IL.

Alashqar, M.; Alasqar, S.; Montag, S; Sengupta, A. “Heterogeneous Iron (III) Porphyrin Catalyst for C—N Bond Formation.” ACS National Meeting. Chicago, IL.

Montag, S.D.; “Transformation of the Organic Chemistry Laboratory Student Experience,” ������ý��Ƶ Research Expo. Peoria, IL

Campbell, D. J.; Fry, M. R.; McQuade, K.; Flint, E.; Montag, S.; Bonich, N. “Opportunity Knocked: Bringing Sustainability and Green Chemistry to ������ý��Ƶ.” 26th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference, Reston, VA.

Andersh, B.; Peterson, M.; Oyewo, A.; Richardson-Matthews, R.; Montag, S. “Comparison of bromination methods for electrophilic addition and electrophilic substitution reactions.” 2020 Spring National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. Virtual.

Montag, S.D.; “The Role Chemistry Plays in Personal and Professional Growth,” Mund-Lagowski Department ofChemistry and Biochemistry. ������ý��Ƶ. Peoria, IL.

Campbell, D. J.; Fry, M.R.; McQuade, K.; Flint, E.; Montag, S. “Council on Undergraduate Research Transformations Project: Transforming Chemistry and Biochemistry at ������ý��Ƶ.” Council on Undergraduate Research Transformations Project Annual Meeting. Houston, TX.

Campbell, D. J.; Fry, M.R.; McQuade, K.; Flint, E.; Montag, S. “Council on Undergraduate Research Transformations Project: Transforming Chemistry and Biochemistry at ������ý��Ƶ.” Fall Research Symposium. Bloomington. IL.

Montag, S.D., Fry, M., McQuade, K., Campbell, D.; “Council on Undergraduate Research Transformations Project: Transforming Chemistry and Biochemistry at ������ý��Ƶ,” ACS Heartland. Illinois Wesleyan. Bloomington, IL.

Montag, S.D.; “Synthesis, Modification, and Experimentation of Tb-mesoMOF, HKUST-1, and MOF-5,” ACS National Conference. San Diego, CA, 2015.

Montag, S.D.; “Synthesis and Analysis of Metal-Organic Frameworks for the Adsorption of Disease Relevant Peptides,” Chemistry Department. University of Minnesota, Morris, MN, 2015.

Montag, S.D.; “Mechanistic Study of Mystery Reaction: A Wittig Rearrangement,” Chemistry Department. Ridgewater College, Willmar, MN, 2013.

Service