English Harbour, Antigua
"We're investigating new ways to synthesize viridin, a naturally occurring antibiotic found in a common soil fungus, that shows anticancer properties. Long term, our lab is looking to prepare viridin compounds that could be tested as possible anticancer agents.
—Kristen Mascall
Ph.D. Candidate, Chemistry
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Photo by Joseph Mehling |
As an undergraduate at the University of West Indies, Kristen Mascall knew she wanted to go on to graduate work in chemistry—but where?
One day she asked her professor, Jeanese Badenock, for advice. Badenock (Chemistry PhD, 2003) told her about Dartmouth.
“Dr. Badenock gave me the inside information about Dartmouth. It definitely sounded like a place I wanted to check out, ” says Mascall. “She told me about the cumulative exams, TA experience, classes, and research.”
“She also warned me about the weather.”
Mascall found the chemistry graduate program much as Badenock had promised. Along with her coursework, she quickly found herself in a friendly and intellectual department.
“I love the organic seminars where all the organic chemists sit around together and discuss recently published (and sometimes not so recent) journal articles or research work," says Mascall. “The presentations normally turn into discussions and it's a good chance to learn informally from the professors as well as practice our presentation skills.”
And Mascall found she really enjoyed being a teaching assistant. “Just being in the lab with students is a great experience,” she says. “Each student is different, so you get to learn the various personalities and interests and see a little bit of Dartmouth life from the undergrad's perspective.
“Also, being a TA exposed me to some of the laboratory techniques and instruments that chemistry undergrads learn here, that I did not have the opportunity to learn when I was an undergrad. So I learned new skills during the process.”
As for the weather? Mascall laughs. “Luckily, I like the change in seasons.”
