Wentzel has earned a bachelor of science degree in physics from Wheaton College (2001), a master of science degree in physics from Georgia Tech (2002) and a doctorate degree in physics from Lehigh University (2007). He completed postdoctoral research at Penn State University and the University of Colorado-Boulder. His research has been published in the Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal of Physical Chemistry B and Soft Matter and was recognized as a top 20 reviewer by the Journal of Chemical Physics in 2011.
Wentzel is a member of Sigma Xi, has presented at several conferences and coaches Milligan’s teams who enter the COMAP Mathematical Contest in Modeling. His scholarly interests include molecular and coarse-grained simulations, phase transitions in polymers and complex materials and the interface between physics and social sciences.
Wentzel is a member of Holy Trinity Church in Johnson City, Tennessee and a diaconal aspirant in PEARUSA. He is a reservist in disaster relief ministry with Hope Force International. His hobbies include gardening and choral singing. He and his wife Nancy Elizabeth Bush Wentzel, have four children: Madelaine, Charlotte, Alden and Genevieve.