Chelsea Gan
Chemistry Major, Biology/Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies Minor
Pronouns: she/her
Current Research Project: My research interests lie in understanding how we can use chemical tools to influence biological systems. In particular, I am fascinated on how we can utilize small molecules to disrupt disease processes. I have explored this interest in Professor Emily Derbyshire’s lab, where I research human and malarial protein interactions during liver-stage infection. Through this research, I hope to contribute to understanding how chemistry can be used to discover novel therapeutic approaches to diseases.
How she got involved with research: I first got involved in research the summer after my freshman year by participating in the Duke Chemistry SURF program. To choose a lab, I explored the faculty research in the Chemistry department and reached out to professors whose work I felt aligned with my interests. After connecting with Professor Emily Derbyshire, I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to join her lab. I spent ten weeks that summer learning new techniques and gaining my first real research experience, forever grateful that I took the step of sending that first email.