The Alumni Engagement Speaker Series welcomes distinguished Wildcats to share innovative research, career path, and more. The second installment welcomed Jacob Lessard on 9/20/2024.
Presentation Summary: UNH Chemistry alumnus Prof. Jacob Lessard ('16 B.S.) shared his research in organic chemistry and polymer materials. He focused on how chemical design can improve plastic recyclability and how innovative reactions can enhance material manufacturing, including smart 3D printing and end-of-life management. He engaged in Q&A sessions with faculty and students, discussing the exciting science and novel techniques involved. Additionally, he highlighted how small, incremental efforts can contribute to successful research projects.
Photos showing Jacob Lessard (left) winning Chemistry undergraduate award at UNH; (middle) starting his lab at University of Utah, and (right) giving seminar at UNH.
Jacob Lessard graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. While at UNH, he conducted undergraduate research in the Berda research group and served as a Teaching Assistant in the Organic II lab. After earning his degree, he pursued a PhD at the University of Florida and completed post-doctoral training at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Jacob recently joined the Chemistry Department at the University of Utah as an Assistant Professor.
The Alumni Engagement Speaker Series welcomes distinguished Wildcats to share innovative research, career path, and more. The first installment was on September 12, 2023.
Presentation Summary: UNH Chemistry alumnus Dr. Michelle Garnsey ('07 B.S.) discussed her research and career working in Pharmaceutical Industry (Pfizer). Michelle showed how a drug candidate was designed, synthesized, and evaluated in multiple iterations to achieve the desired properties. She also shared her perspectives on the stages of drug discovery and decision making in the R&D division of the pharmaceutical industry. She had Q&A sessions with students and provided valuable insight on research and career.
Michelle Garnsey graduated in 2007 from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. After PhD and Post-doctoral training, she joined Pfizer as a medicinal chemist in 2014. Michelle has worked in both the synthesis and design of a variety of drug targets in neuroscience, cardiovascular, and metabolic indications. Her research has optimized chemical structures for potency, brain penetration, and ADME attributes, leading to the identification of clinical candidates. In her free time, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children playing games such as “The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel” and touring local playgrounds.
