Shawn Houser-Fedor '94, a Lebanon Valley College chemistry graduate, talks about her 'Sweet Success' as director of chocolate at The Hershey Company.
Graduate Success
The academic and professional success of LVC ACS chemistry and chemistry graduates is extraordinary.
ACS chemistry, biochemistry & molecular biology, and chemistry graduates of the past five years are pursuing Ph.D. degrees at the University of California (Santa Barbara), University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), Lehigh University, SUNY Binghamton, University of Delaware (3), University of Pittsburgh, University of Florida, Pennsylvania State University (University Park), Thomas Jefferson University, Duquesne University, Michigan State University, University of California at Berkeley, and University of South Carolina.
These Ph.D. candidates are studying analytical chemistry, biochemistry & molecular pharmacology, chemistry, genetics, inorganic chemistry, neuropharmacology, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry.
Other recent program alumni are doing/completed graduate work in the medical sciences (Medical University of South Carolina), pharmacology (Temple University School of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Wilkes University), osteopathic medicine (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine), podiatry (Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine), biomedical sciences (Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University), animal science (North Carolina State University), nutrition (Rutgers University), and medicine (Drexel University School of Medicine). In addition, a recent graduate earned a post-baccalaureate fellowship with the National Institutes of Health and another received a Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship at the University of Indianapolis.
Some of the department’s notable alumni include a professor of surgery/director of heart and lung transplantation at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, assistant professor/cancer research associate at Michigan State University, and assistant director for chemical carcinogenesis at the National Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Etiology.
Graduates from the past five years are working as analysts, researchers, and scientists at the Institute for Glaxo SmithKline, Invitro Sciences, Nestle Purina Pet Care, Nissin Foods, Aswin-Ushas, Kensey Nash, Eurofins Laboratories, Cargill, and Silliker-Merieux NutriSciences.
Proving the Impossible, Possible: LVC Alum Reflects on Academic Journey
Dr. Tim Carroll ’15, a chemistry major, was drawn to LVC’s small and welcoming community, where he felt as if his presence would have an impact. Moreover, Carroll was attracted to the College’s paid, summer undergraduate research program.
Chemistry Alum Now Serves the Community as Veterinarian
An entry-level position at a local veterinary office and advice from one of her Lebanon Valley College professors led Dr. Diane Ford ’96 to a new career.
From The Valley to the Ivy Leagues
LVC's long-standing national and international reputation in the sciences has led to numerous Valley chemistry graduates moving on to internationally recognized Ph.D. programs.
Dr. Roberta Reed '67 Receives Distinguished Alumna Award
Dr. Roberta Gable Reed received the College's Distinguished Alumna Award, recognizing the contributions she made as a research biochemist and laboratory director.
Where Our Alumni Are:
2020 Alumni
Ashley Rodriguez: Pharmacy Tech, UPMC Pinnacle
Richabel Patel: QC Chemist, ARx Pharmaceuticals
Garrett Santis: Ph.D. Program, Theoretical Chemistry, University of Washington
Aaron Spahr: Masters Program, Chemistry, Villanova University
2019 Alumni
Rebecca M. Drain: Metals Analyst, ALS Environmental, Middletown, Pa.
Michael R. Dworzak: Ph.D. Program, Chemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Del.
Katherine L. Gingrich: Ph.D. Program, Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Kristen N. Kelsall: Ph.D. Program, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Joesph R. Olives: Research Intern, nanoComposix, San Diego, Calif.
Nathan T. Owsinski: Scientist I, Raw Materials Department Eurofins at Lancaster Laboratories, Lancaster, Pa.
Ashley M. Rodriguez: Pharmacy Technician, Rite Aid, Cleona, Pa.
Stephen R. Slimak: Ph.D. Program, Computational Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Cheyenne L. Troxell: QC Lab Technician, FMI (Formerly Fragrance Manufacturing, Inc), Allentown, Pa.
2018 Alumni
Chad Bomgardner: Chemical Library Specialist, Incyte, Wilmington, Del.
Elijah Hudson: Ph.D. Program, Chemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Del.
Alexandria Lehman: Doctor of Pharmacology Program, Shenandoah University, Winchester, Va.
Andres Vazques-Lopez: Ph.D. Program, Chemistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.
Corine Mendenhall: Chemistry Teacher, Lampeter-Strasburg School District
Nicholas Pollack: Ph.D. Program, Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H.
Alyssa Smale: Ph.D. Program, Forensic Science, West Virginia University, M.S., Forensic Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa.
2017 Alumni
Nathaniel Ginder: Ph.D. Program, Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa.
Brianna Heffner: QC Analyst, Colorcon, West Point, Pa.
Nicholas Irick: Synthesis Chemist, Sartomer, Exton, Pa.
Molly McBride: Ph.D. Program, Chemistry, Penn State University, University Park, Pa.
Darnell Pierre: Analytical Scientist, Eurofins, M.S., Villanova University
Mariah Smolka: Chemist, Superna Pharmaceuticals, Rockville, Md.
2016 Alumni
Megan Blauch: Ph.D. Program, Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.
Alexander Conrad: Quality Control Expert, Custom Processing Services LLC, East Greenville, Pa.
Kevin Doty: Chemistry teacher, North London Collegiate School, Jeju, South Korea
Antoinette Issis: Metals Analyst, ALS Environmental, Middletown, Pa.
Joshua Kauffman: Ph.D. Chemistry '21, Penn State University, University Park, Pa.
Matthew Maple: Environmental and Physical Science Teacher, Chambersburg Area High School
Rachel Moltz: D.O. Program, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Victoria Seader: Research Technologist, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Department, Penn State College of Medicine
Clarissa Shoffler: QC Technician, Esschem, Liniwood, Pa.
Daniel Weidensaul: Analytical Chemist, Agricor Laboratories, Denver, Colo.
2015 Alumni
Benjamin Carpenter: Ph.D. Program, Organic Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Timothy Carroll: Ph.D. Program, Chemistry, University of California at Santa Barbara, Calif.
Philip Donmoyer: QC Chemist III, Sovereign Pharmaceuticals, Fort Worth, Texas
Alyssa Lancaster: Amsbaugh Scientist, Eurofins, Lancaster, Pa.
Kaitlyn McCardle: Associate Editor at Nature Computational Science; Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry, SUNY Binghamton, Binghamton, N.Y.
2014 Alumni
Shirley Guzman-Caballero: (Vaccine Drug Development) VDPD Scientist 2, Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories PSS, West Point, Pa.
Dan Hockersmith: Instrument Technician, Chemistry Department, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa.
Jason Shay: QC Analyst, J&J McNeill Inc., Lititz, Pa.
2013 Alumni
Edward Beall: Research Staff Member, Institute for Defense Analyses, Alexandria, VA Ph.D. ’18, Physical Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh
Kyle Gross: Manufacturing Engineer, Oxea, Bay City, Texas
Justin Kontra: Technical Service Manager, Evonik Oil Additives, Horsham, Pa. M.S. '16, University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Alyssa Mitchell, M.S.: Analytical Chemist, Gopher Resources, Tampa, Fla.
Stephanie Velardo, Ph.D.: Scientist II, Los Alamos National Laboratory
2012 Alumni
James Hartman: M.S. ’18, Analytical Chemistry, University of Delaware, Chemist 2, Department of Health, Bureau Laboratories, Counter-Terrorism
Kimberly Holt: Scientist, The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Philadelphia, Pa.
Lindsay Carl Keller, Ph.D.: Product Engineer, Lam Research Corp., Calif.; Ph.D., Cal Berkeley
Allison Putt Latshaw, Ph.D.: Senior Research Chemist, Versum Materials, Allentown, Pa.
Lauren Lebo: QC and RD Chemist, Polytek Development Corp., Easton, Pa.
Jeremy Neese, M.D.: Critical Care Hospitalist, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Willie Rodriguez: Scheduling Manager, TH Foods, Loves Park, Ill.
Josie Senko: Chemistry Teacher, Columbus Signature Academy, Columbus, Ind.
Sarah Wagner: Senior Scientist, Pharmaceutical Product Testing Department, Eurofins, Lancaster, Pa.
Jewell Wilson: Resin Chemist, R&D Group Capital Resin Corporation, Columbus, Ohio
2011 Alumni
Monica Carey: Ph.D. Program, Inorganic Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.
Brittney Fallucca: Graduate Assistant, Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J.
Elyse Kirkhoff: Enologist, Kenwood Vineyards, Sonoma Highway, Calif.
Bryant Kurtz: PET Packaging Technician Ocean Spray, Breinigsville, Pa.
Nathan Musselwhite, Ph.D.: Process Engineer, Lam Research Corp., Fremont, Calif.
Michael Schmidt: Ph.D. ’18 Cornell University, Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, SK (Canada)
Pre-2011
Kimberly Manbeck Kontra '10: M.S. '12, University of Rochester, Chemist III Technical Lead for Surface Finishing, Quaker Houghton, Valley Forge, Pa.