草榴视频

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 9, 2024

The combination of a high school English essay assignment, a love of science and having an aunt who is a scientist led Ra鈥橬ya Malone to major in biochemistry at 草榴视频 State University.

For that high school essay assignment, Malone needed to interview someone in a career that interested her. She always admired her aunt, Sparkle Malone, who earned her doctorate in environmental science from the University of Alabama. When Ra鈥橬ya asked her for a recommendation, the elder Malone recommended her former classmate, 草榴视频鈥檚 assistant professor of chemistry Carl Saint-Louis.

That conversation led to Ra鈥橬ya enrolling in 草榴视频, and in just three semesters, she has already made an impact. She joined Saint-Louis鈥� laboratory her first semester, she has co-authored a published paper in a prestigious journal, she spent summer 2023 in a National Science Foundation-sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates, and she has presented her research at 草榴视频鈥檚 Symposium of Student Scholars.

鈥淭here are so many opportunities here at 草榴视频 State, and I want to take advantage of them,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel like I鈥檝e found a home in Dr. Saint-Louis鈥� lab and here at 草榴视频.鈥�

Saint-Louis pointed out several traits Malone has that make her a brilliant addition to the undergraduate and graduate students working in his group.

鈥淪he鈥檚 incredibly curious, very humble, a very hard worker, and she鈥檚 a leader now,鈥� Saint-Louis said. 鈥淣ow that other chemistry students have seen an underclassman have success in the lab, I have other freshmen and sophomores seeking opportunities.鈥�

Those opportunities extend beyond the College of Science and Mathematics complex on 草榴视频鈥檚 campus. Malone conducted research in fluorescent spectroscopy, which is the process by which the chemicals that infuse LED screens are made, in the Saint-Louis lab. Positive results from that research helped Saint-Louis鈥� own work, and the professor presented the study at a conference at Georgia State University.

In attendance at the conference was Tomoyasu Mani, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Connecticut who hosts undergraduate researchers each summer under a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Impressed with the research, Mani encouraged Saint-Louis to persuade Malone to apply for the experience.

Months later, Saint-Louis gave a chemistry presentation at Alabama, hosted by professor of chemistry Ryan Summers鈥攑resenting Malone鈥檚 research and again impressing a scientist with a research opportunity. Ultimately, Malone had two summer REU opportunities, and spent Summer 2023 at UConn for 10 weeks, working on Mani鈥檚 research and learning more about how a laboratory works.

鈥淭o my knowledge she is the first 草榴视频 freshman to have a single funded REU opportunity let alone two,鈥� Saint-Louis said. 鈥淎nd she was part of a cohort of five students out of hundreds who applied. These opportunities are usually reserved for upperclassmen, so what she has already accomplished is truly impressive.鈥�

Malone admitted she felt a little overwhelmed at first in the UConn lab, but she channeled her curiosity and absorbed as much information as she could. Her task involved synthesizing molecules for studies in physical chemistry, which she has applied to her ongoing work in the Saint-Louis lab.

Malone said chemistry just made sense to her the first time she encountered it in high school. After chatting initially with Saint-Louis, she knew she wanted to make it her academic focus at 草榴视频 State. Now, she sees even more chemistry in her future鈥攁nother REU this summer and next, a Ph.D. after graduation in 2026, and a career in pharmaceuticals.

鈥淐hemistry is important to me because it鈥檚 a subject that resonates with my curiosity about the world,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he applications of chemistry are everywhere, from the pharmaceuticals that improve our health to the materials shaping our daily environment. I see chemistry as not just a subject of study but a key to unlocking solutions and making a positive impact on the world around us.鈥�

鈥� By Dave Shelles

Photos by Matt Yung

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 草榴视频 State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. 草榴视频 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 草榴视频 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.