Spotlight on our Majors: Where are they Now?

Here are just a few examples of what our graduates are doing with their degrees in chemistry. 

Hadeel Abozenadah – Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology Concentration

 

Hadeel, one of our very successful international students at WOU, graduated with honors, with her degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology. Hadeel has never let barriers stand in her way, and as her advisor, I have to say that I have come to truly admire her spirit. While at WOU, Hadeel not only learned to drive a car, but also learned how to fly helicopters! Following her graduation, Hadeel returned to Saudi Arabia where she worked in the pharmaceutical industry and would give women driving lessons on her time off. She is truly an advocate of women’s rights and an inspiration. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Clinical Medicine at the University of Oxford, England.

 

 

 

---

Dominique Aubrey – Concentration in Forensic Chemistry

 

The Forensic Chemistry program provided hands-on experience with the many disciplines of forensic science and helped me figure
out which disciplines I was most interested in. Specifically course CH 430: Applications of Forensic Science showed me that I was most interested in toxicology and drug chemistry. This course, and the program as a whole, helped me successfully prepare to work in the field. Dominique is currently working as a forensic toxicologist in Grand Junction, CO. 

 

 

---

Estely Carranza – Double Concentration in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology and Forensic Chemistry

 

Estely graduated with her degree in chemistry concentrating in both forensic chemistry and medicinal chemistry and pharmacology as an honor roll student. While at WOU, she served as a mentor in our STEM Scholar’s Program, helping her younger classmates find their footing and develop into successful students. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Chemistry at U.C. Davis in Marie Heffern’s lab where she is studying the role of metals in biochemical processes occuring in the extracellular matrix.

 

 

 

 

---

Marvel Davis – Concentration in Forensic Chemistry 

 

Marvel majored in chemistry with a forensic chemistry concentration. While at WOU, she was selected for a competitive NIH REU internship at the University of Delaware where she learned how to use Time of Flight – Secondary Ion Mass Spectometry (TOF-SIMS), and K-ALPHA+ X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometry (XPS) in a research setting looking at protein degradation of tempera for use in art conservation. Following her graduation, she spent three years working as an Aerospace Inorganic Analytical Chemist for Element Materials Technology. Currently, she is working as a Medical Laboratory Technologist for Cooper Surgical in Portland, OR.

 

 

 

Brian Hauenstein – Traditional Chemistry Major and Physics Minor

 

 

While at WOU, Brian also found a great love for music.  He played and traveled with the WOU Jazz Orchestra, while also working on his chemistry degree. Today he’s working as an environmental chemist for Apex Laboratories LLC in Tigard, OR.

 

 

 

 

 

---

Kristin Kelly – Concentration in Forensic Chemistry

 

 

Kristin Kelly, a forensic-focused chemistry major, was a WOU CIP Internship recipient.  She served as a teaching assistant in one of our CH200 laboratory courses, where she gained leadership, public speaking, and teaching skills that helped her go on to a PhD program in Forensic Chemistry at West Virginia University. She now works as a scientist for VR Analytical in Bend, OR.

 

 

 

---

Obed Lopez – Concentration in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology

 

 

Obed graduated with his degree in Chemistry with a Concentration in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology. During his senior year as a medicinal chemistry major, Obed Lopez served as an intern for Precision Analytical in McMinnville, OR. They ended up hiring him after graduation where he continues to work on hormone testing systems.

 

 

 

 

---

 D-Dre Wright – Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology Concentration

 

 

D-Dre Wright graduated from WOU as the Valedictorian for her class and presented a speech at graduation. While at WOU, D-Dre was a true leader, participating as a resident assistant, playing on the rugby team, serving as a STEM Scholar Mentor, and excelling in her chemistry coursework. D-Dre is currently in medical school at John A. Burns School of Medicine in Hawaii.

 

 

 

 

 

 

---