Unlocking Chemistry Literacy: Comic Books, Storytelling, and Molecular Imagination with Colleen Kelley

Welcome to a brand new episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD! In this conversation, host David Mendes sits down with Dr. Colleen Kelly, a seasoned chemistry professor, researcher, and now award-winning author of children’s chemistry comic books. With a PhD in chemistry from Penn State, Colleen’s career has spanned environmental toxicology, medicinal chemistry, and decades of teaching at the University of Arizona. But it’s her mission to transform “molecular literacy” for learners ages eight to one hundred and eight that sets her apart. Inspired by her own educational journey as a first-generation college student and by watching her students struggle with the basics of chemistry, Colleen shares how she’s harnessing the power of stories and comics to make the foundational elements of science accessible—and fun—for kids (and adults!).

In this episode, you’ll hear about Colleen’s personal path from student to researcher to educator, her realization that many students hit a wall due to “molecular illiteracy,” and her bold decision to bring chemistry alive through colorful storytelling. We’ll explore how she draws on pop culture, imagination, and even comic book heroes to help students of all ages see and understand the science around them. You’ll also get a peek at her Emmy-winning PBS documentary, Comic Book Chemistry, and her growing collection of educational comic adventures.

Whether you’re a scientist, an educator, a parent, or just someone who wants to see more people excited about science, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical insights, and heartwarming stories of curiosity, resilience, and the lifelong power of learning.

 

Creating fun and accessible chemistry stories has been a labor of love for Colleen as a retired University of Arizona chemistry professor and author of a series of kid’s chemistry comic books. In 2023, the PBS short documentary, “Comic Book Chemistry” was awarded an Emmy. This documentary centered around Colleen’s vision, chemistry comic book series and her success with teaching college-level chemistry concepts to kids. This vision was then presented as a TEDx talk, “Molecular Literacy for Ages 8 – 108” in 2025. During Colleen’s 30 years of teaching chemistry, she became aware that her students were struggling with basic concepts, including fluency with the symbols for the elements themselves. These comic books, videos, and activities are Colleen’s gift to all future scientists – one that will help them succeed in college chemistry.

Colleen holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Penn State University, was awarded a Chateaubriand Fellowship to conduct research at the Universite Pasteur in Strasbourg, France under the direction of Nobel Prize Winner, Jean-Marie Lehn. Colleen was a tenured faculty member with research expertise in environmental toxicology, medicinal chemistry, and chemistry education. She has published four chemistry textbooks, over 30 peer-reviewed articles, and has presented her work globally.

What we covered in the interview:

•  Early Foundations Matter: Dr. Kelley argues for introducing the “alphabet of science” (the periodic table) to kids as young as 8, when their brains are wired to associate symbols with meaning – just like learning to read or play music.

•  Storytelling Changes Everything: By turning molecules into characters and chemistry lessons into narratives, students remember and see the science, rather than just memorize it.

•  Literacy Beyond Academics: Chemistry literacy empowers everyone, from future doctors to curious consumers, to make informed decisions about medicine, the environment, and everyday life. Science is a l