Madison Thompson, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Senior, 2021

Undergraduate Faculty Mentor:  Dr. Annaliese Franz
Three words to describe me: Resilient, Empathetic, Ambitious

What are your future plans and/or goals?

Graduate school or medical school

In what ways has engaging in undergraduate research impacted your future goals and plans?

Participating in undergraduate research has shown me a glimpse of what graduate school will be like. I am able to interact closely with graduate students and watch them pursue their doctoral or masters degree. I now feel better prepared to make the jump from undergraduate studies to graduate studies.

What contribution(s) will your research make to your field of study?

My research focuses on quantifying hydrogen bonds using NMR spectroscopy. Hydrogen bonding is of particular importance in pharmaceutical chemistry because many drug-receptor interactions occur via hydrogen bonding. Current methods to quantify hydrogen bonding are often time consuming and expensive. NMR spectroscopy allows for the rapid, inexpensive quantification of H-bonds benefiting pharmaceutical chemists and other scientists alike.

What preparation and research experience did you have before applying to your research program?

Prior to applying to the CAMP program, I participated in a brief summer internship program through Folsom Lake College in which I started research in the Franz lab, where I still work today.

Personal achievements/accomplishments or other news and information:

Pfizer 2019-2020 Diversity Research Fellowship in Chemistry

What advice do you have for other undergraduate students seeking research experiences?

My advice for other undergraduate students who want to participate in research is do not be afraid to ask for help. When I joined my research lab, I knew absolutely nothing. Everyone around me completed tasks with no problem while I struggled with even the simplest of things. At first it will be hard adjusting to a completely foreign environment but over time things get easier. Before you know it, you'll be an expert too!