Kate Biberdorf
Kate Biberdorf, known as Kate the Chemist, brings chemistry to screens, stages and books as a science communicator and Notre Dame’s professor for the public understanding of science.
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Latest
Kate’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
KCUR Studios
Park Row
Philomel Books
Philomel BooksOverview
- Also known as
- Kate the Chemist
- From
- Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Education
- BS in chemistry and German, University of Michigan, 2008; PhD in inorganic chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, 2014
- Work
- Chemist, science communicator, author and podcast host
- At Notre Dame
- Inaugural professor for the public understanding of science, starting September 1, 2024
- Breakout
- School outreach and local television led to national appearances and the Kate the Chemist identity in 2018
Mini bio
How it started.
Growing up in Kalamazoo, Kate wanted to understand how things worked. At 15, her chemistry teacher Kelly Palsrock made the subject feel alive with energetic lessons and fiery demonstrations. Kate credits that teacher with making her want to become a chemist.
From classroom to camera.
After earning her doctorate in 2014, Kate joined the teaching faculty at UT Austin. She began taking demonstrations to schools and appearing on local television. In 2018, a call from Bill Nye’s former publicist Glenn Schwartz helped her make the leap to national entertainment under the name Kate the Chemist.
Science you can try and understand.
Her books give fans several ways into chemistry: experiments at home, edible projects in the kitchen, and the everyday explanations in It’s Elemental. She also hosts KCUR Studios’ Seeking a Scientist, interviewing researchers about questions beyond her own field.
A new chapter at Notre Dame.
Kate became Notre Dame’s first professor for the public understanding of science in September 2024. The role connects her public-facing work with the university’s research, helping scientists explain their work and inviting more people into the conversation.
Creditschronological, newest first
Books
Podcasts
- 2026StarTalk: The Chemistry of Life with Kate the ChemistGuest
- 2025StarTalk: Explosive Science with Kate the ChemistGuest
- 2023–2025Seeking a ScientistHost
Awards
Quotes
If you have an emotional response to something, you're more likely to form a memory.Kate Biberdorf, Notre Dame Stories
Explaining why she uses memorable demonstrations to help audiences engage with chemistry.
Trivia
- She studied German alongside chemistry at the University of Michigan.
- Her uncle worked as a head chef at Notre Dame, so she visited the campus while growing up.
- The Big Book of Experiments gives each project a messiness rating.
- Her edible experiments book includes rainbow pasta, ice cream and pretzel bites.
Find Kate
Follow Kate for chemistry demonstrations, science stories and show updates.
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