I will continue the trend of introductions.

I grew up in upstate New York with an interest in pursuing a scientific career in some form. I entered the University of Richmond (VA) with the intention of pursuing medical school upon graduation, but after taking organic chemistry (and loving it), I quickly discovered where my real talents were. I conducted research in organic chemistry with Drs. Stuart Clough and John Gupton, who were so influential in my development that I became more interested in an academic career. I had always been interested in education and teaching (it’s in my genes, too, I think), so upon graduation in 2004, I continued my study of chemistry with the idea that I would one day teach and do research at a small PUI.

I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 2009. I worked with Professor Eric Meggers on the synthesis and biological evaluation of ruthenium(II)-based drugs. During my tenure at UPenn (with a two-year detour to Marburg, Germany to continue research), I was exposed to a lot of interdisciplinary work in organic, inorganic, and biological chemistry and was awarded an NIH Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Grant Fellowship to support my studies.

After graduation, I returned to the U.S. for postdoctoral research with Professor Seth Herzon at Yale University where I studied the synthesis and mechanism of action of the potent anticancer agents known as the diazofluorenes. With a continuing interest in an academic career that balanced both teaching and research, I decided to leave Yale in 2010 to gain some additional classroom experience. For the past two years, I have been a Postdoctoral Faculty Fellow here at Boston University (BU), where I have conducted research with Professor John Snyder on new intramolecular [2+2+2] cyclization methodology for the synthesis of hinge-binding 2-aminopyridines. My teaching obligations have been primarily in Intensive Organic Chemistry I/II. In addition to teaching the discussions, labs, and pre-lab lecture and designing the laboratory curriculum, I had a chance to make a significant contribution to course advancement by implementing an electronic laboratory notebook, designing new experiments, and creating an online repository of experiments for the exchange of ideas among faculty worldwide.

While at BU, I had a chance to become a part of the Chemical Writing Program, where I developed course materials and served as a writing assisant. I also co-directed the Chemistry Department’s Outreach Program, along with fellow PFF Dr. Katie Frato and Boston University Women in Chemistry (BUWIC).

I have found the PFF experience to have been incredibly valuable in both the classroom and research laboratory, not to mention being blessed with the best of students! In the fall 2012, I will begin a tenure-track position at Providence College (RI), where I will be performing research in organic chemistry and teaching undergraduates at all levels. While it will be sad to leave BU, I am eager to begin my new journey.