ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ

What have you been up to since graduating from ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ?

Right after graduating ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ, I started a PhD program in environmental chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the civil and environmental engineering department with Jesse Kroll. Two years later, I’m still going strong! My research focuses on the experimental study of atmospheric chemistry of naturally and anthropogenically emitted organic compounds. These compounds influence the burden of atmospheric pollutants that everyone breathes every day. I love my work and appreciate how closely it connects to real-world problems. Anytime you look at an air quality model on your phone or a climate prediction like the IPCC report, they’re based on models that incorporate the chemistry I do in the lab.

Why chemistry?

When I got to ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ, I was primarily interested in exploring. I took eight classes in seven departments my first year, but I had a knack for chemistry. My mother, aunt, and both grandfathers were chemists or chemical engineers. I also had a deep appreciation for the environment and wanted to learn more about environmental policy. After shopping around my first semester, I met Dharni Vasudevan, the Stanley F. Druckenmiller Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Studies, whose coursework intersected chemistry and environmental policy. After taking her classes and learning how to apply chemistry, a rule-based science, to the environment, a complex and rule-breaking system, I was hooked. To this day, I love breaking down the complexity of our world into digestible pieces and using chemical rules to improve pollution prediction. I also engage with policy daily, considering how my chemistry can serve as the scientific basis for policy decisions and goals.

Are there any classes, professors, or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?

Professor Dharni Vasudevan had a lasting impact through her interdisciplinary courses connecting chemistry and environmental studies.

What advice would you give to current students or recent graduates interested in your field?

To current students, take chemistry! Even if you didn’t like it in high school, learning to think analytically through problems with a set of rules will serve you well in any field. (He admits being biased.)

To recent graduates, don’t stress about getting the perfect career right after graduation. Many people in grad school and in the industry are still figuring it out. You have the tools to do amazing things. Enjoy the journey, be ready to learn, and remember to take your vacation days!

What have you been up to since graduating from ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ?

I moved to Boston to pursue a career in medicinal chemistry at Merck. Over fourteen years there, I contributed to a range of projects across therapeutic areas including immunology, neuroscience, and oncology. In 2021, I joined MOMA Therapeutics, a small biotech company focused on discovering novel medicines that target highly dynamic proteins. I co-led a project that resulted in the discovery of one of MOMA’s clinical compounds.

Why chemistry?

I came to ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ with an interest in biology and a plan to pursue medicine. However, my passion for chemistry blossomed after taking organic chemistry in my sophomore year. As I continued my studies, the central role of chemistry in understanding and maintaining human health became clear, and I developed a deep interest in medicinal chemistry. I was drawn to the idea of designing a chemical target to test a hypothesis, synthesizing it in the lab, and analyzing the data, all with the goal of developing new medicines.

Are there any classes, professors, or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?

Summer research in Professor Linton’s lab, along with the medicinal chemistry seminar he taught during my senior year, were foundational experiences that shaped my interest in synthetic and medicinal chemistry.

What advice would you give to current students or recent graduates interested in your field?

A career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry developing novel medicines to improve human health is deeply rewarding. Drug discovery is a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary field, and I encourage anyone interested to connect with an alum working in the space to explore how it might align with their interests. Many pharmaceutical and biotech companies also offer summer internship programs, which are a great way to gain hands-on experience and learn more about the discipline.

What have you been up to since graduating from ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ?

I have been working toward my PhD in synthetic organic chemistry since graduating from ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ. I am a PhD candidate in the Hoye Group at the University of Minnesota. My research is divided into two areas: (1) the development of novel reactions to synthesize diverse heterocycles using thermal carbene generation, and (2) the investigation of the biosynthesis of unique natural products. I am currently working at Merck as a Discovery Chemistry Intern in Rahway, New Jersey.

Outside of school, I run often and am training for the Berlin Marathon after qualifying last year. I enjoy exploring the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota. I like trying new restaurants, visiting state parks, and finding new places to go road biking.

Why chemistry?

My original intent was to study marine biology and German when I went to ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ. During my first year, I took organic chemistry with Richard Broene, Charles Weston Pickard Professor of Chemistry, and remember a week when we learned how a chemotherapy drug works, how to dye crayons yellow, and why TNT explodes. I quickly realized that organic chemistry allows me to understand the fabric of our world in a way that continues to fascinate me. I have worked in several synthesis labs and really enjoy designing and making novel organic compounds. Organic synthesis is a rewarding mix of hands-on work at the bench and deep dives into theory and analysis afterward.

Are there any classes, professors, or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?

Professor Broene’s organic chemistry and organometallics courses hooked me on the field, no question. He has been an invaluable mentor both during my time at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ and in graduate school.

What advice would you give to current students or recent graduates interested in your field?

Ask questions! Everyone starts somewhere, so don’t hesitate to ask lots of questions whether about lab techniques, concepts, grad school, or careers.

What have you been up to since graduating from ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ?

Since graduating from ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ, I have pursued a career as a research scientist. I began as a research technician in a molecular biology lab at Massachusetts General Hospital, studying liver disease and epigenetics. As I was more drawn towards the physical sciences, I decided to pursue my PhD at Yale University in materials science. This exciting field sits at the intersection between materials chemistry, solid-state physics, and mechanical/chemical engineering. Our group studied two-dimensional nanomaterials, which are a class of atomically-thin inorganic compounds that possess exotic quantum properties and have a wide range of applications for energy technology and flexible electronics. My research focused on the electrochemistry of these materials and how you can stack different materials on top of one another to create hybrid materials with emergent properties. Since completing my PhD, I have been working at Ambri, a battery company devoted to clean energy. As a senior research scientist, I support Ambri’s goal of producing long-lasting, safe, and affordable batteries for grid-level energy storage for intermittent renewables such as solar and wind power.

Why chemistry?

Chemistry was one of my favorite classes in high school, and I knew I wanted to pursue its study here at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ. I love how the study of chemistry can explain everyday phenomena, open new insights into the fundamentals of life, and deepen our understanding of the physical laws governing our universe.

Are there any classes, professors, or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?

My most memorable experience with ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ Chemistry was conducting research the summer before my senior year and then turning that project into an honors thesis. The ability to work directly with my research advisor in the same capacity as a graduate student was key in developing my passion for research. It was through this research experience that I learned both the persistence in the face of failure that laboratory research requires and the thrill when experiments work or you make a new discovery.