BIOGRAPHY
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
COLONEL MICHAEL E. VAN VALKENBURG
Colonel Van Valkenburg is currently serving as the
Permanent Professor & Head, Department of Chemistry,
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, where he leads a 42member team of chemistry faculty, researchers, and support
professionals, together educating over 1,400 future officers
annually. His recent sabbatical to the Pentagon involved
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
initiatives & programs, 61 (Scientist) strategic career field
management, & Nuclear Enterprise initiatives. With over
three tours at the Academy, he has taught general, analytical,
organic, physical, & environmental chemistry courses. Col
Van Valkenburg’s interim & previous assignments have
included various bioenvironmental engineering &
contingency medical operation responsibilities, supporting
installation occupational health and environmental programs
at both small & large Air Force medical treatment facilities,
& civil engineering staff agencies.
EDUCATION:
1985:
1986:
1991:
1992:
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
Bioenvironmental Engineering Officer Course, School of Aerospace Medicine
M.S. in Civil Engineering (Environmental), South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama (Distinguished Graduate &
Outstanding Contributor)
1996: Air Command & Staff College, by seminar
1999: Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Sciences, Minor in Chemistry, University of Florida
2000: Air War College, by seminar
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. July 1985 – January 1986, Chief of Bioenvironmental Engineering Services, USAF Hospital
Williams, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona
2. January – June 1986, Student, Bioenvironmental Engineering Officer Course, Brooks Air
Force Base, Texas
3. June 1986 – July 1987, Chief of Bioenvironmental Engineering Services, USAF Hospital
Williams, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona
4. July 1987 – August 1989, Deputy Chief of Bioenvironmental Engineering Services, USAF
Hospital Ellsworth, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
5. August 1989 – July 1991, Graduate Student, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology,
Rapid City, South Dakota
6. July 1991 – June 1994, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, U.S. Air
Force Academy, Colorado
7. June 1994 – July 1996, Deputy Chief, Program Development Division, HQ Air Force Center
for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE), Brooks Air Force, TX
8. July 1996 – June 1999, Graduate Student, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
9. June 1999 – June 2002, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Deputy for Logistics, Department
of Chemistry, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado
10. June 2002 – June 2003, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Deputy for Operations,
Department of Chemistry, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado
11. June 2003 – July 2004, Chief, Operational Health Division, Associate Dean,
Bioenvironmental Health Division, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks City-Base,
Texas
12. July 2004 – June 2005, Chief, Contingency Operations Division, Associate Dean,
Bioenvironmental Health Division, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks City-Base,
Texas
13. June 2005 – August 2010, Permanent Professor & Head, Department of Chemistry, U.S. Air
Force Academy, Colorado (with interim Special Duty for the National Military Academy of
Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan, June 1997 – July 1997)
14. August 2010 – July 2011, Director, Science & Engineering Workforce Strategy, Office of the
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology and Engineering,
Washington, D.C.
15. July 2011 – present, Permanent Professor & Head, Department of Chemistry, U.S. Air Force
Academy, Colorado
MAJOR AWARDS & DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Medal (S)
Air Force Longevity Ribbon with silver oak leaf cluster
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
Air Force Training Ribbon
Non Article 5 NATO Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 1985
First Lieutenant June 1987
Captain June 1989
Major May 1996
Lieutenant Colonel October 2000
Colonel May 2005