Vanguard University

This is Chris Woods. He is the Iprep Postdoctoral Candidate for the chemistry department which means he will be teaching classes for a year at Vanguard.

Chris was born and raised here in Orange County. His family lived in Tustin before moving to Lake Forest where he attended Trabuco Hills High School. Growing up, he swam competitively, played goalkeeper in water polo and worked as a lifeguard at south county beaches like Doheny or San Clemente. When Chris is not at school or working, he enjoys spending his days under the sun out in the water. He likes surfing single fin longboards and going fishing off the coast. 

"I have an older brother who now, unfortunately, lives in Texas so I don't see him as often. But, we grew up super competitive and I would always be competing with him and piling on him as guys do. He was not as competitive when it came to academics but everything else was like full-on charging against each other." 

After graduating from high school, Chris went to Saddleback Community College for three and a half years before transferring to the University of California Santa Barbra (UCSB) where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry. He describes chemistry as a passion where it allows him to look more deeply into God's creation. Chris remembers meeting different scientists throughout his time in the UC system and having an eye opening experience to their research and different walks of life while working alongside them. 

"UCSB was great. It was a nice community. Everybody seemed like they were willing to study together and it was right by the ocean so it was a perfect location for me. After I graduated, I knew I wanted to get a phD. I had the chance to go to the University of California Irvine (UCI) and really enjoyed working with the professors there and doing my fieldwork for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration." 

Chris received a Master's of Science in Analytical Chemistry from UCI and recently defended his dissertation in atmospheric chemistry. In the past, he worked as a barista, surf instructor, swimming coach and teacher. He comes from a family of photographers and also enjoys getting Japanese food from Mitsuwa Marketplace's food court. His family and he attended Pastor Chuck Smith's, Calvary Chapel, where he remembers taking stock of his faith when he was in high school. 

"My faith is pretty big to me. I come from a background where many scientists and researchers are not believers. I have never attended a Christian school growing up but my family has always been believers. I think it's a big part of what I do." 

Today, Chris lives in San Clemente with his two roommates. One who also works within the science world and the other who is also a lifeguard. When he is not with his roommates, he spends his time with his long-term girlfriend who he has been in a relationship with for four years. She is also a lifeguard. 

"I’m very thankful and look forward to this upcoming year at Vanguard. Although it will differ from past years because of COVID, I hope that I can bring a lot of knowledge, joy and enthusiasm to the classroom. I hope students can still be excited to learn more about chemistry and I look forward to being a part of the community." 

Vanguard is happy to welcome and introduce Dr. Chris Woods. We look forward to seeing his many gifts as a professor. If you see him around, please make sure to greet him warmly.