Scholar Profile

Voted Most Likely To:
Succeed

Graduated:
Smith College, Class of 2005
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, PhD in Biological Chemistry

Currently Working As:
Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Middlebury College

What do you love about your job?
I love teaching students about chemistry as well as the research we do together. A lot of students hate chemistry due to bad experiences they had in high school and I want to change that by making chemistry more accessible to all students. I also love going to conferences to learn about the new science going on in my field so that I can use it as a teaching tool in class or my own research lab.

What has been the most exciting part of your career so far?
The most exciting part has been witnessing the students in my lab and biochemistry lab course make interesting discoveries, such as revealing the activity of an unknown enzyme.

What would you tell yourself at age 18?
I would tell myself to be patient and know that everyone has their own path.

How has ACS Scholars impacted your life and career?
The ACS Scholars program provided the financial assistance I needed to get started in a research lab within my first year of college, which ultimately helped me get into competitive summer research programs and graduate school. This program has also connected me with other chemists and provided a platform for me to publicize my research and my personal story, which needs to be heard to encourage students from underrepresented backgrounds to consider similar career paths.