(Editor’s Note: This is the third in a multi-part series examining interesting stories about PV teachers from outside of the classroom. Whether it is an unusual hobby, a prior job, or a specific interest, PV teachers have much to tell. Apparently, teachers have lives outside Pascack Valley. Who Knew!)

Mr. Christopher Nilsen, a chemistry teacher at PV, picks up three Splenda packets. With his coffee in hand, he pours the packets into it. No one knows that he actually refined the formula of the sweetener.

Before becoming a chemistry teacher at PV, Nilsen had a career in the pharmaceutical industry. He has worked for many companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Bristol Myers Squibb. He also worked to create and test new drugs in their first trial to see how well they worked on humans.

Nilsen then started to work with Heartland Food Products Group, the company affiliated with Splenda, to improve its formula and allow the sweetener to be used in different recipes.

“The main goal of the project was to be able to use Splenda for baking,” Nilsen said.

Nilsen uses the things he learned in the pharmaceutical industry in his chemistry classes almost everyday.

“It relates to each of my chemistry courses when we take a look at things like molecular geometry and bonding,” Nilsen said.

Nilsen always wanted to be a teacher, although going into working with engineering based companies had a better salary than a teacher did. After multiple years with varying companies, he decided to try teaching.

Although Nilsen misses working with brand name companies everyday, he would rather be at PV.

“I enjoy working at PV better because I get to shape the minds of young kids that can one day influence the drug industry,” Nilsen said. “I still work with pharmaceutical consulting in the summer time. I design facilities to make hazardous drugs. ”