Chemistry Grad Profiles

Ryan Lawrence, class of 2003
After Gordon, Ryan earned a MDiv from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, then entered medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. There he won the Clinical Science Excellence award (2007 Summer Research Forum) and the Catherine Dobson Prize (2010 Senior Scientific Session) “for the best oral presentation in the area of clinical investigation,” for his work on religion, ethics, and medicine. He is now a psychiatry resident at Columbia University Medical Center.

Matt Keller, class of 2002
Matt recently graduated from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and is doing his internship in Watertown, NY. Following the internship, he will be begin his residency at Penn State University in Hershey, PA for anesthesiology.

Elizabeth Kratz, class of 2001
Beth received a commission in the United States Navy after graduation. As an instructor at the Navy's Nuclear Power School, she taught thermodynamics, chemistry, materials, and radiological principles. Lt. Kratz is pursuing a Master's of Science degree in Human Systems Integration at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.

Adam Chevalier, class of 1999
Right after graduation Adam began working as an organic chemist at Johnson-Matthey Pharma Services (formerly Pharm-Eco) and has remained there ever since. Mr. Chevalier has risen to the position of senior chemist/senior production coordinator, overseeing the scale-up and production of new organic synthesis projects in the pharmaceutical industry.

"As I left Gordon I was impressed with the assistance given to me by several Gordon chemistry department alumni. Ultimately I found my current job through the referral of a former Gordon chemistry major. As I began my career it became more and more evident that the education that I had received from the chemistry professors at Gordon was unique. I found that the personal attention I had received in my studies was not found in the educational background of any of my colleagues. That personal attention along with the Christ-centered focus allowed me to have a better understanding of the course material than I would have had at a larger institution! The addition of the new state of the art science building will only improve the quality of education provided by the Chemistry department. I wouldn't trade my Gordon experience for anything!"

Michael Bajema, class of 1992
Michael earned a Ph. D. in atomic physics from the University of Virginia, and now works for Raytheon Company in Massachusetts.

Todd Allen, class of 1991
Todd earned a Ph. D. in analytical chemistry from the University of California at Davis, and did postdoctoral work at Los Alamos National Laboratory.  Following this, Dr. Allen was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico Chemistry Department for one year and then went on to work at Isotag--now Authentix--where he customized GC/MS, Fluorescence, UV-VIS-NIR and IMS methods for covert and overt chemical markers and taggants used for deterring fraud, counterfeiting, and product diversion in a variety of commercial and government applications. Dr. Allen recently moved to San Diego, CA, to take a position as Senior Scientist at General Atomics, where he works on developing chemical sensors for toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents, sensor networks for threat detection and warning, and modeling of sensor and system health on rocket engine test stands.

"I really enjoyed the personal attention and interactions that I received from the professors and staff at Gordon and particularly the Chemistry Department. The other aspect that I greatly appreciated was that many of my professors integrated their faith into their teaching, both in and outside of lectures. I have used my education and experience at Gordon as an example for integrating faith into my professional work experience and personal life."

Christine MacTaylor, class of 1990
Christine earned a Ph. D. in analytical chemistry from the Pennsylvania State University, after which she joined the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Salem State College in Salem, MA, specializing in analytical and bioanalytical chemistry.

Ronald MacTaylor, class of 1990
Ron earned a Ph. D. in physical chemistry from the Pennsylvania State University.  After serving as an adjunct lab instructor at Gordon College for two years, Dr. MacTaylor joined the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Salem State College in Salem, MA, where he teaches courses in physics, physical science and life-science chemistry.

Alynne MacLean, class of 1986
Alynne earned a Ph.D. in bioanalytical chemistry from the University of Kentucky, where she studied enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). After several years developing EIAs for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, Dr. MacLean quit her job and founded Science with a Mission, Inc. (SMI) where she serves as President. SMI (www.sciencewithamission.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing diagnostics for use in the poorest regions of the Developing World. Daily, people in these areas are dying from preventable diseases--sometimes due to not being diagnosed. Science with a Mission is using immunoassays to enable doctors to determine which disease someone has so proper medicine can be given. Immunoassays can be designed so they require no electricity or equipment, give results rapidly and are amenable to mass screenings. SMI currently has available immunoassays for malaria, typhoid, HIV and TB among others.

Cynthia Hanna, class of 1984
Cindy worked as an organic chemist for the first three years after college. For the next five years, she worked in the private sector as an environmental consultant to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a consultant, she enjoyed her roles as project chemist and human health risk assessor for several Superfund projects. In 1992, she had the opportunity to join EPA at its Washington, D. C. headquarters in the Office of Inspector General as part of a team of five scientists responsible for providing national oversight of the Agency. In 1997, when her husband had an opportunity to transfer back to the Boston area, she joined the regional EPA office as a human health risk assessor. During her time at EPA, she completed her Master's degree in Environmental Health and Engineering from Tufts University. Ms. Hanna left EPA in 2000 to devote time to her family, and recently has served as an adjunct organic chemistry lab instructor at Gordon.