Chemistry and Biochemistry News

Grace Debelius

This summer, biochemistry major Grace Debelius has been completing an internship at Pinnacle CT labs in Westminster, MD. This independent testing laboratory serves the medical cannabis and hemp industries, using advanced technology to perform all testing required by the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. Grace has been learning different testing procedures and is gaining more and more responsibility in the lab. She was impressed by the strict regulations in place, becuase of the fragility of the patients that depend on medical marijuana. This position has confirmed her goal of working in a laboratory environment, and Grace will continue working at Pinnacle in the fall semester.

Chemistry major Justin Navoa is interning at The Valley Hospital in Paramus New Jersey, where he is shadowing different pharmacists in different areas of the hospital. Justin has been learning the various roles and responsibilities pharmacists can have depending on the field they work in. His experience has been accenutated by being made to feel welcome, as all of the pharmacists he has worked with have been friendly and inviting. This internship has confirmed for Justin that he wants a career in the pharmaceutical industry in the future.

Biochemistry Student Arianna Pulik is interning in the lab of Dr. Paul Shapiro at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. She is working on determining the structure activity relationship of a protein kinase ERK2 in cells and how it can be manipulated to inhibit inflammation and cell proliferation in cases of melanoma. She does a lot of reading, which surprised her, but she is learning how much planning goes into research. She is also enjoying learning new skills and knowledge, and is appreciative of the collaborative atmosphere. She is truly excited by her work, and hopes this experience helps her to become a competitive medical school applicant.

Summer Science Scholars (S3RP) in Chemistry and Biochemistry, L-R: Kevin Wassenius (chem), Tamar Singman (chem), and Marisa Sloan (biochem) Their projects, under the supervision of Dr. Will Harrell, are described below.

Marisa and Tamar are working on a project developing anion receptors that utilize non-traditional C-H hydrogen bonding as a potential therapeutic for cystic fibrosis.

Kevin is working on a project aimed at the synthesis and characterization of visnagin analogs with potential anti-cancer properties.

Every day in lab is FUN!

Chemistry major and student athlete Maddie Silverman is interning at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals this summer in Boston. Showing the importance of networking, Maddie landed this position through her ice hockey community connections. It just goes to show that you never know where an opportunity is lurking. The complete story can be read here.