Recent Promotions & Retirements
Congratulations to our Chemistry colleagues!
Robin Bond
Analytical Chemistry
Promotion to Associate Professor
August 2026
Dr. Robin Bond earned her B.A. from California State University, Los Angeles in 1993 and completed her Ph.D. in Geochemistry at the Colorado School of Mines in 2015. Prior to joining Northern Michigan University (NMU), she served as an Assistant Professor at The Evergreen State College (2017–2023) and St. John’s University (2015–2017).
An expert in analytical and environmental chemistry, Dr. Bond has modernized NMU's curriculum by enhancing student skill development in statistical analyses and updating the quantitative analysis laboratories. She is currently teaching a special topics course in environmental chemistry, which has drawn strong student interest across all STEM fields.
Dr. Bond maintains an active research program applying chemical analyses to environmental phenomena, ranging from local pollutant tracking to simulations of Martian geochemistry. Her scholarly record includes peer-reviewed journal articles and two chapters for an EPA project report. At NMU, she has sought funding from the National Science Foundation to support her work and served as a chemical expert for the Marquette County Health Department. She actively engages undergraduate students in assaying heavy metals in the local environment, with a specific focus on historical impacts of mining.
In addition to her research and teaching, Dr. Bond provides dedicated service to her faculty colleagues. Elected to the AAUP Executive Committee as the College of Sciences representative, she also contributes to the union as a Data Analyst, member of the Contract Proposal Development Team, and Negotiating Team. She also currently serves as Chair of the Educational Policies Committee.
In her spare time, Dr. Bond enjoys travel, games with friends and family, fixing up her old house, and hiking with her dog.
Evan Platt
Biochemistry
Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure
August 2026
Dr. Evan Pratt earned a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University (MSU) in 2010. After working for a year as a Research Assistant at MSU, he earned his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology from Purdue University in 2017. Following postdoctoral research at the University of Colorado Boulder, he joined the Northern Michigan University (NMU) faculty in August 2020.
At NMU, Dr. Pratt teaches all upper-level laboratory and capstone courses in biochemistry. He enriches student learning by integrating current topics in cancer research—his primary scholarly focus—into the curriculum. His service leadership includes roles as Chair of the Faculty Grants Committee and Prepharmacy Advisor.
Dr. Pratt has established an active research program designing fluorescent biosensors to study cellular processes, work that holds promising diagnostic applications for diseases such as cancer. In collaboration with Dr. Matt Jennings, Dr. Rob Winn, and Dr. Paul Mann (Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center) and Dr. Adam Prus (Psychology), he has developed a successful interdisciplinary research team, published his work in peer-reviewed journals, and mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students in his laboratory.
In Fall 2023, NMU honored Dr. Pratt with the Technology Innovation Award for his development of D2HGlo, a fluorescent probe designed to study cellular pathways. This innovation led to a provisional patent (utility patent and international PCT pending) and substantial external support. To date, Dr. Pratt has secured three external grants as PI or co-PI: an MTRAC Kickstart grant ($35,427), an NIH-R15 ($462,153 for three years), and an NIH UH3 ($298,199 for two years).
In his free time, Dr. Pratt enjoys spending time with his family (wife Stephanie, twin 7-year- olds Lennon and Isla, and 3-year-old Hazel), golfing, canoeing/hiking, and watching Detroit Lions football.
