GROUP ALUMNI
LILY ETEMAD
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Researcher from 2013 – 2015
B.S. in Chemistry, Class of 2015
DDS, UConn School of Dentistry, Class of 2020
Currently in Dental Residency at The Ohio State University
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Biography
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My name is Lily Etemad and I am from Trumbull, CT and graduated from Fairfield University in 2015 as a chemistry major. I joined the AVD lab in 2013 and helped launch one of his first projects at Fairfield University – yes I am proud to be one of the first! I have completed my first year of dental school at University of CT School of Dental Medicine. I hope to become an orthodontist and open up my own practice after dental school. In my free time I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and playing tennis with friends. I love to travel and explore new places, meet new people, and try exotic foods.
GEORGE NACLERIO​
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Researcher from 2015 – 2016
B.S. in Chemistry, Class of 2016
PhD in Organic Chemistry at Purdue University, 2021
Senior Scientist at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
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Biography
My name is George Naclerio and I am from East Haven, CT. I obtained my B.S. in Chemistry from Fairfield University in 2016. In my spare time I enjoy working out, particularly in boxing as I am a former two-time national champion, and getting together with friends/colleagues. I joined the Van Dyke lab in the Spring of 2015 where I worked on the synthesis and optimization of our group's Capture-Tag-Release (CTR) probe. Through this experience, I discovered my passion for organic synthesis and will be starting my Ph.D. in organic chemistry this Fall at Purdue University.
MICHAEL VESSICCHIO
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Researcher from 2015 – 2016
B.S. in Biochemistry, Class of 2016
PharmD, UConn School of Pharmacy w/ Honors, Class of 2020
Currently a practicing pharmacist
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Biography
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My name is Michael Vessicchio and I am from East Haven, CT. I graduated from Fairfield University in 2016 as a biochemistry major. I worked in the AVD lab starting in 2014 and my project involved the biochemical characterization of our group's Capture-Tag-Release (CTR) probe. I am currently a doctoral student at the UCONN School of Pharmacy and I have found my passion for science and health in this career. My hobbies include playing sports and cooking.
TORI JEDSON
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Researcher during 2014
B.S. in Biochemistry, Class of 2017
Johnson & Wales Physician Assistant Program; PA in Dermatology
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Biography
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I was a biochemistry major at Fairfield, class of 2017, having done research with the Van Dyke Group in the Fall of 2014. I grew up in Rhode Island and am back here now for the Physician Assistant Program at Johnson and Wales University. Outside of PA school I love the beach and I love to cook!
DAN GATAZKA
Researcher from 2016 – 2018
B.S. in Biochemistry, Class of 2018
Currently obtaining an M.D. at New York Institute of Technology
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Biography
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I am a biochemistry major here at Fairfield who joined the Van Dyke Group in the Fall of 2016. I grew up in the capital region in New York State, and I'm an avid golfer who is always up for a quick round while our reactions run. Beyond Fairfield I hope to attend medical school and eventually open my own practice. The best part of working in the Van Dyke Lab is being able to do science every week with a great group of people, although being able to use cool equipment (such as my favorites the syringe pump and static gun) is a close second!
MARIAH HANANIA
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Researcher from 2016 – 2018
B.S. in Biochemistry, Class of 2018
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Biography
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My name is Mariah Hanania and I am a senior at Fairfield University. My major is biochemistry and I am minoring in mathematics. I am from Milford, Connecticut and the oldest of six (five girls, one boy). I was previously pre-med and wished to go to medical school to possibly become a doctor/pediatrician but after working in the lab with Professor Van Dyke, I have realized that I may be interested in other fields / would like to do research in the future.
Fun fact: I love to sing and cover songs. I started singing when I was 11 and used a webcam to record myself, until I finally reached a confidence level to perform in front of an audience in middle school and high school. I still sing today!
TYLER LYONS
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Researcher from 2017 – 2019
B.S. in Chemistry, Class of 2019
Mass Spectrometry Research Scientist, Albany Molecular Research Inc.
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Biography
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I am a chemistry major at Fairfield who joined the group in the Fall of 2017. After taking organic chem with Professor Van Dyke, I knew I had picked the right major. I grew up in Albany, NY playing the wonderful but ever challenging game of golf. I hope to attend medical school after Fairfield, but am always keeping an open mind for potential career paths.
EUNSUN "SUNNY" HONG
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Researcher from 2017 – 2019
B.S. in Global Public Health Studies, Class of 2019
Currently attending medical school
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Biography
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My name is Eunsun Hong and I am from Shelton, CT. I am a junior at Fairfield University and joined the Van Dyke lab in Fall 2017. I have designed my own major in Global Public Health Sciences and I am minoring in Biochemistry and International Studies. After graduating, I hope to work at a non-profit organization focusing on international public health for a couple of years then go to medical school to become a pediatrician. A fun fact about me is that I have been to The Gambia and taught a Korean class to middle school girls while I was there.
JUSTIN GILBERTSON
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Researcher from 2018 – 2019
B.S. in Biochemistry, Class of 2019
Currently a research scientist with Macdermid Alpha
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Biography
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My name is Justin Gilbertson. I am Biochemistry major and a local Fairfield county resident, residing in Trumbull. I enjoy fitness, nutrition, and mostly anything in relation to science. The best part about working in the Van Dyke laboratory is being surrounded by hardworking, driven individuals whose passion for the subject is apparent. Fun fact, I produce house music under the name Phantos.
JUSTIN MERCADO
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Researcher from 2018 – 2020
B.S. in Chemistry, Class of 2020
Currently an analytical lab scientist at FreeThink Technologies
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Biography
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My name is Justin Mercado and I am a junior chemistry major here at Fairfield; I am from New York City. I plan to do research in an advanced field of chemistry one day. Currently, I interned at an environmental analytical chemistry lab called Complete Enviornmental Testing. My days consisted mostly of performing wet chemistry tests on different water and soil samples. If I am not doing chemistry, I am most likely trying to learn how to juggle and it is going surprisingly well.
CLAIRE MULLIGAN
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Researcher from 2018 – 2020
B.S. in Biochemistry, Class of 2020
Currently working with Jesuit Volunteer Core
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Biography
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My name is Claire Mulligan and I’m a junior biochemistry major, with a Spanish minor. I’m from Easton, Pennsylvania, home of the Crayola factor. I love biochemistry because of its problem-solving nature. I like cooking & eating, reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time with family and friends.
RAQUEL "ROCKY" REILLY
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Researcher from 2017 – 2020
B.S. in Biochemistry, Class of 2020
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2020 Fulbright Scholar to Philipps-University of Marburg, Germany
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Currently obtaining a Ph.D. in Yale's Biochemistry, Quantitative Biology, Biophysics and Structural Biology (BQBS) program
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Biography:
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My name is Raquel Reilly I'm from Prospect, CT and after graduating with a biochemistry major from Fairfield University, I received a Fulbright scholarship to pursue research on treatments of myasthenia gravis in Marburg, Germany. I hope to pursue a career in academia.
I have a one year old morkie named Benji. I enjoy spending time with my dog, running, and going to the beach. The most fun fact I could think of about myself is that I've been skydiving!
NICHOLAS COLORITO
Researcher from 2019 – present
B.S. in Biology, Class of 2021
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Biography
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My name is Nick Colorito, and I am from Suffern, New York. I am a senior biology major at Fairfield University, and I officially joined the Van Dyke lab in the Fall of 2019. I enjoy contributing to the group as a biologist because I feel biology answered a lot of questions I had about the world, but there was still a fair bit of mystery and challenges that I could explore. I enjoy reading, watching movies, and hanging out with my friends.
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