Amy Maurer (neé Settle), PhD, is originally from Loveland, Colorado, and attended Colorado Mesa University for her undergraduate degree in chemistry. Following graduation, Maurer completed a summer internship at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, which led her to attend the nearby Colorado School of Mines for graduate school to study applied chemistry.
During graduate school, Maurer performed the majority of her thesis research at NREL, investigating catalytic upgrading of biomass-derived platform chemicals for commodity applications. Maurer received her doctorate for her thesis entitled "Catalytic Upgrading of Muconates for Renewable Chemical Applications."
Upon earning her PhD, Maurer completed a postdoctoral research position at NREL. Subsequently, she entered the industry as an analytical chemist at Johns Manville Technical Center in Littleton, Colorado.
In spring of 2021, after nearly two years of working at Johns Manville, Maurer realized that she wanted to return to academia, and she left her industry position to become an assistant professor of chemistry at Colorado Mesa University.
Maurer’s teaching philosophy is focused on a student-centered learning environment and she encourages ongoing communication with and feedback from her students.