Chemistry and Biochemistry News

Chemistry senior Mercedes Vilasoa is participating in her Capstone Internship this summer at Johns Hopkins Hospital Pharmacy. She is working with Dr. Alice Hsu investigating enterobacteriaceae, a bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics, and studying how patients with this bacteria should be treated. It’s an amazing opportunity and Mercedes is very excited to talk about all that she’s learning. This experience is especially important to Mercedes since she’s planning a career in pharmacy.

Chemistry senior, Stephen Dennis, is participating in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Virginia Commenwealth University (VCU) this summer. Stephen is working in the “Practices and Perspectives” program which is designed to provide an experience that combines practical training in specific research techniques (practices) with activities designed to put the research into the context of larger goals of modern science and technology (perspectives). Stephen was excited to be chosen for this program and is having a great summer!

Rosendo Lucio and Brandi Lookinghill were excited to meet each other at Mustang Day and enjoyed getting to know each other. Rosendo visited SU in his senior year and knew right away that this was the perfect university for him because he felt right at home. He is majoring in chemistry and plans to participate in the BS/MS program in chemistry and forensic science. Brandi chose SU because it’s close to home. She’s majoring in biochemistry because she loves the interface of chemistry and biology. She plans to become a researcher in biochemistry. Welcome to the Chemistry Department, Rosendo and Brandi!

Sydney Johnson (left) and Morgan McCluskey-Wirtz are both incoming chemistry majors who are excited to start at SU this fall. Sydney is interested in the BS/MS program in chemistry and forensic sciences and Morgan is looking forward to a career as a pharmacist. Both incoming students are staying active this summer: Morgan is playing in golf tournaments while Sydney is a lifeguard. We’re happy to welcome Sydney and Morgan to the Chemistry Department!

Welcome to the new chemistry and biochemistry students who are joining us this fall! All new freshmen came to campus for a day in June to participate in activities to meet other incoming students, to hear about the upcoming school year, to meet faculty in the department, and to register for classes.