{"id":258,"date":"2019-07-17T18:18:04","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/chemistrygraduatespursuephdstudies\/"},"modified":"2019-07-17T18:18:04","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:04","slug":"chemistrygraduatespursuephdstudies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/chemistrygraduatespursuephdstudies\/","title":{"rendered":"2014 WCSU graduates’ research experience prepares path to Ph.D. studies"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014 A passion for chemistry research, a guiding hand from valued faculty mentors, and a self-motivated drive for academic and personal achievement will propel 2014 Western Connecticut State University<\/a> graduates Patrick Finneran and Thomas Pickel to begin Ph.D. studies this fall in two of the nation\u2019s elite doctoral programs.<\/p>\n


\n Finneran and Pickel, who earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in chemistry this May at Western, have taken full advantage of the opportunities presented during their WCSU studies to design and carry out laboratory research as assistants to members of the university\u2019s chemistry faculty<\/a>. Finneran, of Oakville, will enter Brandeis University<\/a> in Waltham, Massachusetts, to pursue a doctorate in biochemistry and biophysics. Pickel, of Bethel, will begin studies at Emory University<\/a> in Atlanta, Georgia, for a Ph.D. in organometallic chemistry.<\/p>\n

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The two graduates followed very different paths to their doctoral programs. Finneran has long known that he has a special affinity for chemistry. \u201cI wanted to do chemistry when I was 10 years old,\u201d he recalled, \u201cI just love the way that chemistry explains how everything works. When I found out at Western that I was good at chemistry, I realized that this is something I want to do for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

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By contrast, Pickel had little classroom exposure to chemistry before entering Western and initially considered majoring in biology before shifting his concentration to chemistry. Even then, he said, \u201cit was not until my fourth chemistry course, in organic chemistry, that I decided I really had some aptitude for this. I came to understand that undergraduate chemistry is basically an exercise in critical thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The common experience that launched both graduates on the path to doctoral studies was their work as research assistants at Western. Finneran, who had considered a pre-med concentration in his freshman year, made a definitive decision to focus on biochemistry after course work with Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. J. Helena Prieto<\/a> led to his selection as Prieto\u2019s assistant in laboratory research focusing on the Plasmodium falciparum, one of the most common protozoan parasite transmitters of malaria to humans. He worked with his faculty mentor to determine the underpinnings of a cellular pathway that can program cell death in the parasite. Elucidating this pathway will assist researchers in gaining improved understanding of the protozoa, an important step toward development of more effective pharmaceutical treatments for malaria.<\/p>\n

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\u201cDr. Prieto completely changed my world around,\u201d Finneran said. \u201cShe excels at teaching skills and techniques in the lab, and she put all her trust in me as her assistant to help in setting up the lab, identifying research approaches, and deciding where to take the research.\u201d He takes special pride in his work with Prieto on a signaling peptide that will be used in continuing research at Western in years to come.<\/p>\n

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Prieto noted that Finneran earned recognitions for his academic excellence as recipient of the Boehringer Ingelheim Biochemistry Scholarship, the 2014 Western Research Day Provost\u2019s Award in the natural sciences, and a Sigma Xi research award. She praised his contributions as a teaching assistant and tutor in general chemistry and as president of the Chemistry Club, which earned the \u201cbest club\u201d award from the Student Government Association.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI was very lucky to work with such an enthusiastic student,\u201d she said. \u201cHe put all his energy into everything he did. He was instrumental in helping me set up my research lab during my first year at Western, and for that I am very grateful.\u201d <\/p>\n

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Pickel\u2019s awakening interest in chemistry ignited into a career objective when he began work in the laboratory with Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Nicholas J. Greco<\/a>. Greco took Pickel on as an assistant to conduct research on the synthetic modification of natural DNA as a means to explore DNA activity within biological systems, which has significant applications in the development of drug treatments for viral diseases.<\/p>\n

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\u201cDr. Greco is truly a shining example of what a professor should be,\u201d Pickel said. \u201cHe didn\u2019t lean over me every second or steer me in a given direction; I was free to make my own decisions, and my own mistakes.\u201d While he admitted that at first he lacked the confidence to trust his own judgment, he added, \u201cI came to realize that by letting me go through this experience on my own, Dr. Greco allowed me to learn for myself what to do, and what not to do. And the ability to do lab work well is a fantastic feeling!\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cThomas was a dream to have in my laboratory,\u201d Greco observed. \u201cHe cared deeply about his project and pushed himself much further than I could have pushed him. As much as Thomas grew as a student, I grew more as a mentor.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Both Finneran and Pickel will receive full tuition scholarships as well as stipends and other benefits from their graduate schools. For Finneran, Brandeis offers an inviting opportunity during his first year to explore the full breadth of research in progress in the university\u2019s biochemistry\/biophysics program before deciding on the project to which he will commit during his doctoral studies. He considers his program well suited to provide preparation either for an academic career \u2013 inspired by Prieto and other faculty mentors at Western \u2013 or for a research position in the pharmaceutical industry to develop and test new drugs for disease treatment. \u201cI\u2019ll complete my Ph.D. program and then I\u2019ll see where I want to go with that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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Pickel is equally open to the breadth of career opportunities in both the academic and corporate sectors, and expressed excitement at the preparation that he will receive at Emory in an emerging area of study that promises to break new ground in the chemistry discipline. \u201cThe field of organometallic chemistry is very new and very exciting, and holds almost limitless possibilities to explore the development of synthetic goods in energy, medicines and other areas,\u201d he observed.<\/p>\n

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They share a passion for continuing to deepen their knowledge of chemistry by bringing the breadth of research techniques from diverse areas of the discipline to bear in their doctoral studies. Finneran looks forward to pursuing research at Brandeis that applies fundamentals from physical chemistry to research exploring complex biochemical processes. Pickel emphasized the value of marshaling the techniques and methods of both organic and inorganic chemistry research: \u201cYou don\u2019t grow unless you branch out,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s why the learning curve is so steep in organometallic chemistry.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Finneran and Pickel agreed that their chemistry studies at Western have prepared them well to meet the academic and career challenges ahead. \u201cI came to Western because it was a smaller state school and it had a great science program. I fell in love with Western the day I first toured the Science Building,\u201d Finneran remarked. Over the past four years, he added, \u201cthe research that I\u2019ve done here has taught me a lot about life.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI owe my acceptance to Emory to Dr. Greco and the other members of the chemistry faculty at Western,\u201d Pickel affirmed. \u201cThe research that I\u2019ve done here has opened my mind to a new way of thinking and problem-solving. If something goes wrong in your research, you don\u2019t dwell on it. You learn from your mistakes, do some reading, and decide how to move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Greco looks forward to tracking both graduates\u2019 progress in the coming years. \u201cI taught both Patrick and Thomas, and found them to exemplify the ideal student: inquisitive, driven and intelligent,\u201d he said. \u201cI am confident they will go on to make WCSU proud.\u201d<\/p>\n

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For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.<\/p>\n

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Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England\u2019s best small private universities.<\/em><\/p>\n

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