Education
PhD in Chemistry at the University of Michigan
Subjects
Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Biotherapeutic Development
Achievements
PhD pre-doctoral candidate in chemistry at the University of Michigan supported by the Rackham Merit Fellowship; BA in Chemistry with Honors and a second major in Arabic from Williams College; completion of an undergraduate honors thesis on the antibiotic properties of cationic polymers; QuestBridge Scholar and recipient of multiple competitive fellowships for advanced Arabic language study abroad; co-author on peer-reviewed publications in Blood and The Journal of Clinical Investigation; recipient of the ACS Bridge Travel Award and the Arabic Studies Ambassador Award
About
Vanessa is a PhD candidate in chemistry at the University of Michigan whose research bridges chemistry, molecular biology, and cancer biology. Her work draws on polymer chemistry, mass spectrometry, and CRISPR-based technologies to develop and optimize biotherapeutics aimed at improving disease understanding and treatment. Alongside her research, she has over six years of teaching and mentoring experience across academic, nonprofit, and community settings, supporting undergraduate students, adult learners, and immigrant-impacted youth through culturally responsive instruction, research guidance, and long-term academic mentorship.
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