Chemistry and Biochemistry News

The department of Chemistry and Biochemistry wishes students and colleagues a wonderful, restful holiday. We can’t wait to see you back on campus next year!

Luna Huynh, a chemistry and applied math double major, presented her independent research as part of the requirements to earn Honors in Chemistry. Her computational project was completed under the mentorship of Dr. Michelle Ivey. Luna graduates this December and plans to pursue a graduate degree related to computational chemistry. Congratulations, Luna!

Did you know that the genetic emergence of lactose tolerance may have helped the Mongols defeat the Chinese? Biochemistry senior Aanchal Deol investigated another genetic variant that may predispose peoples exposed to famine conditions to hypertension and diabetes. She focused on higher methylation levels in two genes which creates a higher risk of these diseases. Her project attempted to draw a correlation to historically famine-exposed Chinese populations to modern day impoverished groups within the United States. She presented her work in poster format at the Honors Symposium. This is Aanchal’s second honors project.

Biochemistry senior Ashley Breads presented her original board game, Dogma World that she designed as a study aid to help AP biology students learn about transcription and translation. Ashley is interested in a career in forensics and is currently enrolled in the BS to MFS program.