Neil Foegen

Neil grew up in Appleton, WI, and earned his B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in 2016, where he double-majored in Chemistry and Geoscience. While at UWSP, Neil worked in the Tutoring Learning Center, tutoring general and organic chemistry as well as calculus.

He then moved to New York City to pursue a Ph.D. at Columbia University, successfully defending his thesis in December 2020. During his time in graduate school, Neil invested in his teaching skills through fellowships and pedagogical training at the Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning. He also volunteered his time leading chemistry demonstrations at events for elementary and middle school students from several schools in Harlem, and spent Saturday mornings teaching an organic chemistry lab class for Columbia’s Science Honors Program for high school students.

After graduating, Neil moved to Zurich, Switzerland, in 2021, where he applied his research expertise at a startup tech company. There, he was responsible for integrating a novel organic chromophore into electro-optic modulator devices and successfully formulated a composite thin-film material that withstood the harsh conditions of film processing without sacrificing product-grade performance.

Neil began working in the CLC at UW–Madison in 2025, where he teaches organic chemistry. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, cooking, hiking, snowboarding, attending concerts, and patronizing the performing arts here in Madison.

Neil is also a first-generation college student who shares a kindred spiritedness with students who are forging their own path in life.