Through billions of years of evolution, the chemical structure of biomolecules has become fine-tuned; they are radically fit for purpose. One of Life’s best kept secrets, that has interested me since my studies in my undergraduate degree (Genomics and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, 2019), is the chemical nature of DNA and RNA. After joining the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program (January 2020) – in the Department of Chemistry – at Michigan Technological University, I have been heavily involved in the use of organic synthetic chemistry to better understand the chemistry of DNA/RNA. I currently work on improving the chemical synthesis of DNA/RNA, whereby we make them readily available to medical and R&D applications. As I work on DNA/RNA chemical synthesis, I undoubtedly gain insight into the biochemical process of their synthesis in life. Nucleic acids will forever amaze me, as they can function both as catalytic structures and high information storage systems. With the help of organic synthesis, our knowledge in biology can greatly be expanded, and the door to Life’s deepest secret close to being unlocked.
It is with sincere gratitude that I thank the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel, and those whose donations make this fellowship possible, for recommending and funding my awarding of this finishing fellowship. In addition, I am thankful for my advisors (Dr. Shiyue Fang and Dr. Yinan Yuan) for their deep wells of knowledge that I endlessly tapped in the pursuit of my research. Finally, I must thank my committee members (Dr. Tarun Dam, Dr. Marina Tanasova, and Dr. Mark Tang) as well as the Department of Chemistry (Current and past chairs: Dr. Athar Ata, Dr. Sarah Green, and Dr. John Jaszczak), for their advice and support through this journey.