“Chemistry is all sorts of things you don’t think of,” says Professor Jerry Tsai, co-chair of the chemistry department at University of the Pacific.  

Chemical reactions take place when we do things like make scrambled eggs for breakfast or wash our hands and are key to making most things we use on a day-to-day basis. And biochemical reactions constantly take place inside of each of us and other living things. Chemists and biochemists analyze rocket fuel, study insecticides and compounds that prevent plant illness, work in pharmacology to create new medicines and therapies, investigate ways to improve foods and more. 

Biochemistry vs chemistry

Chemistry is the study of matter, its elements and structures (atoms, protons, neutrons, and more) and the ways in which types of matter interact with each other. Biochemistry deals specifically with living matter and processes that occur within living things.

Along with gaining fundamental knowledge of subjects including organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry, biochemistry and chemistry students learn specialized skills, such as mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, how to purify proteins and ways to synthesize organic molecules.  

Students also gain less-tangible skills; Tsai highlights resilience and confidence. “There are always those times when the research doesn’t go well, and you have to problem solve,” he says. Students with degrees in chemistry or biochemistry are well prepared for any related field.

Chemistry internships for undergraduates

Internships provide students with valuable hands-on experience and broaden their understanding of their fields. Additionally, internships are valuable networking opportunities and sometimes lead to employment with the company offering the internship.  

Pacific chemistry students have interned at industry leaders such as Agilent Technologies, Gilead Sciences, Genentech, MasSpec Lab, Thermo Fisher Scientific, E. & J. Gallo Winery and Minex Company, among others. 

Careers with a degree in chemistry

Graduates with bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry or chemistry typically choose one of two paths after graduation: They go on to graduate or professional school or, less commonly, they take entry-level jobs.  

Entry-level jobs in the chemical sciences

Graduates with degrees in biochemistry or chemistry can work as lab techs or in other roles that would be categorized as being a “bench scientist,” in biotechnology or health care:  

• Lab techs in health care work in hospitals and urgent care clinics; diagnostic, forensic and public health laboratories; blood blanks; and pharmaceutical companies. They run tests on blood, tissue and urine samples to assist in diagnosing diseases or assessing the success of treatments. Their work supports doctors and others in the medical field, helping them to provide personalized care for their patients.  

• Lab techs in industry might work at biotechnology companies, in the energy sector or the food or beverage industry, or for chemical manufacturing or cosmetics companies. They analyze materials and products under development to ensure they meet the necessary health, safety or other specifications, providing quality control and enabling technological advances.  

Jobs where scientific literacy is important

• Science teacher: Science teachers introduce students to science for the first time, playing an important role in increasing scientific literacy and encouraging careers in the sciences. Science teachers with a background in chemistry might teach chemistry, environmental science or forensic science, depending on the needs of their schools. (Usually, a teaching credential or a master’s degree is required for teaching science in elementary, middle or high schools.)  

• Pacific’s PacNoyce Scholars Program provides scholarships for college and graduate students in the STEM disciplines who commit to teaching for two years in high-need school districts. 

• Science writer: Science writers explain the significance of scientific discoveries and innovations and the intricacies of natural phenomena to the public. They write for print and online publications focused on science and mainstream publications with a broader audience, telling stories and making informed arguments for policy changes.  

• Working in government or industry: Scientific literacy is important for working in many scientific companies, even if the day-to-day work (in operations or marketing or government relations) isn’t in a scientific field. Similarly, having a scientific background is useful in many government roles, including analyst positions in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) or other federal or state agencies.  

Graduate and professional schools

Students go to graduate school for biochemistry or chemistry or to professional school for dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, medicine or veterinary medicine.  

Many colleges, including University of the Pacific, have pre-health pathways to help students meet the course requirements for graduate school in the health professions. 

Why study biochemistry at Pacific?

“Because we’re not so huge, we get more one-on-one time with students, and they get more hands-on experience working side-by-side with faculty members,” says Tsai. Andrew Parkins, who received his PhD in biochemistry from Pacific this year, echoed this, saying professors “allow you to stand out by being curious, asking good questions and wanting to learn more.”  

Opportunities for research

“Pacific offers signature research activities for undergrads, which gives them skills that they can use directly,” says Jianhua Ren, chemistry department co-chair. Some of the projects that Pacific chemistry and biochemistry students have contributed to have included synthesizing proteins; making peptides, which can be used to deliver drugs to specific targets; and cancer research involving chemokines, proteins that facilitate the movement of white blood cells. 

“I think it’s easier to find research opportunities [at Pacific] because it’s a small school and a very small chemistry and biochemistry department. You get to know the professors pretty quickly and then you just find your niche,” said Sonderegger, who participated in Pacific’s Stauffer Grant program. 

Each year in the Stauffer Grant program, students apply to participate in cutting-edge research with faculty members. Eight to 10 students are selected and each receives an $8,000 stipend. Their work culminates in a presentation in August. Students are sometimes co-authors on publications, which allows them to further demonstrate their experience on graduate school applications and resumes.

Career development and opportunities for networking 

“Something unique about Pacific is that we have a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance machine and the mass spectrometry lab,” Sonderegger added. “Having that kind of very advanced equipment and people who know how to use it and are willing to train you is a huge advantage.” 

Faculty take students to national meetings of professional associations where they can network and broaden their understandings of work being done in the field. And Pacific’s location in California means that students have easy access to biotech companies in the Silicon Valley and nearby for internships and future employment.   

The result of these advantages is that Pacific biochemistry and chemistry students have great success in graduate and professional school placements. 

Still have questions?

Learn more about studying chemistry at Pacific.

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Elisabeth Garner ’25 
Major: Biochemistry 
Hometown: Atwater, California 
Extracurriculars: 2023 Women’s Cross Country 

Biochemistry major, Elisabeth Garner ’25, has been conducting fungal research since her first year at Pacific. While the major is often viewed as an intensive subject to study, Elisabeth enjoys the challenge, because of strong mentorship and her passion for using chemistry to study how microbes help plants resist drought.   

“I wasn’t able to take a really intense chemistry class until I came to Pacific,” she said. “I absolutely fell in love with it. It’s given me the opportunity to delve more into learning about plant science and all the chemical processes that go behind that.” 

Elisabeth’s experience began in high school on the agronomy team as part of her school’s Future Farmers of America program, where she studied plant science. Now three years into her journey at Pacific, she conducts chemistry research alongside chemistry professor Skylar Carlson. 

“I feel so blessed to have been able to work with Dr. Carlson. She is an amazing professor and research adviser,” Elisabeth said. “I actually started doing research with her my freshman year, which usually isn’t the norm, but she accepted me into her lab anyway, and she’s taught me pretty much all that I know about conducting chemistry research.” 

Last summer they worked together to determine the impact of media types on small molecule production from various aquatic fungi. These metabolites could lead to anti-fungal, antibacterial and anticancer medicines. 

“I really saw Elizabeth develop as a scientist during this time, and I really got to see her note taking and her observations develop and to see her starting to connect the dots of the individual observations into a broader picture of the discovery,” Carlson said. 

This summer, Elisabeth is working with Carlson and  biology Professor Paul Orwin to see if a bacteria called Variovorax sp. can enhance the root growth of grapevines and help with drought tolerance. In practice, this could increase the overall fruit output and quality from the vines. According to Elisabeth, her experience would not have been possible without the Stauffer Charitable Trust Challenge Grant.  

“Without the Stauffer grant, I wouldn’t have been able to do the summer research at all. It’s been able to help me with my housing and my food during the summer,” she said. “So, the grant has been able to financially help me participate in research.”  

The Stauffer fellowship pays for units and a stipend for students to conduct full time research for 10 weeks over the summer. The fellowship is designed for students who hope to attend graduate school, but it is also open to pharmacy and dentistry students who want to expand their skills before professional school.  

Fellowship applicants have often dedicated semesters or even years to their projects before they receive the Stauffer grant. Elisabeth has taken full advantage of the grant to further her plant chemistry experience with Carlson.  

“Elisabeth has built her own project around these rhizosphere bacteria and the cheminformatics that she’s using to interpret the communication between the bacteria and the root. We’re hoping to give her the best chance at that and giving her the most opportunities possible,” Carlson said.  

Elisabeth’s advice for students seeking the Stauffer grant is to focus on their writing skills and finding a professor like Carlson they could work with for a few months. As far as research focus goes, Elisabeth says, “Choose something that you absolutely love, something that you can be passionate about to work on for almost two, three months at a time over the summer.”  

Elisabeth plans to continue her research with Carlson under the Stauffer grant and to apply to graduate school to get her master’s degree in plant biology starting next fall. 

Learn more about biochemistry

Biochemistry

A biochemist who earned his bachelor’s, master’s and PhD in biochemistry — all at Pacific, credits the university for preparing him for his next step: a postdoctoral research fellowship at one of the leading cancer research centers in the world, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Andrew Parkins, who earned his doctorate in biochemistry in May, will focus on molecular immunology. He says Pacific helped him develop a solid research foundation as well as his love of science.

“At Pacific, I learned new things, taught myself, learned from others, and delved into unknown territories,” Andrew said. “This is where my love for science truly blossomed.”

Pacific’s small classes; hands-on learning opportunities

Andrew grew up in Lodi and says he chose Pacific because of its outstanding academic reputation and dedication to the community. Throughout his time here, he came to recognize the benefit of Pacific’s smaller classes.

“[They] allow you to stand out by being curious, asking good questions and wanting to learn more,” Andrew said. “This personalized attention is what got me into research as an undergraduate, which eventually led to my graduate studies here. It is what really kept me on track.”

Andrew took advantage of Pacific’s myriad hands-on learning experiences throughout his undergraduate years. He joined research labs and participated in the Stauffer Fellowship, which allowed him to finish his undergraduate work a semester early. At the end of that fellowship, Andrew started to work with Professor Georgios Pantouris, who specializes in protein and cancer research.

As a graduate student, Andrew worked in the lab specifically with proteins related to inflammatory diseases and cancer. One of the most important tools he and Pantouris used was the active programmable logic controller, which allowed them to select proteins. They also relied on plate readers and two computers for every project—what they refer to as the “big three essential tools.” Additionally, they had the unique opportunity to produce protein crystals and collect data on them at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Research alongside chemistry professors

Andrew’s experience in Pantouris’ lab was not only one of mentorship but also friendship.

“Professor George P. has always been there for me, fostering a relationship that feels more like having a big brother than just a mentor,” Andrew said. “His advice, whether on a personal level or regarding an experiment, has always been invaluable. George has truly been there for me, no matter what.”

As a postdoctoral research fellow at Dana-Farber, a cancer research institute associated with Harvard Medical School, Andrew will focus on molecular immunology. While he does not have extensive experience in the field, Andrew believes the research background he gained at Pacific — with mentors like Pantouris — has helped him create a solid foundation for the techniques necessary.

“This opportunity highlights that we are capable of producing Harvard-level research at the University of the Pacific, and it’s gratifying to see that recognized,” says Andrew.

Andrew hopes to build on what he’s learned at Pacific and Dana-Farber in the future. His love for research and continual work toward discovering new drugs for conditions previously considered untreatable have helped him discover his own goal—to start his own lab.

Jianhua Ren, co-chair of Pacific’s chemistry department and adviser to the Stauffer Undergraduate Summer Research Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry, is beloved by the Pacific community for her dedication to mentoring countless undergraduate students. But she didn’t always want to be a teacher.  

“I was always thinking that I wanted to do research. That’s my happy place,” said Ren during a virtual discussion sponsored by the Pacific Alumni Association. “Teaching came along the way. I don’t think I really prepared for teaching to be a part of my career, but somehow, there were always opportunities that came to me.”  

Discovering a love for teaching 

Ren grew up in China, where she completed her undergraduate studies at Beijing Normal University. From there, she decided to study abroad and earned her master’s degree at Auburn University in Alabama, where she focused on her research in organic chemistry. She then entered a PhD program at Purdue University where she continued her research, focusing on gas-phase ion chemistry.  

“That time shaped my research, what my goals were and what I wanted to do,” said Ren.  

Ren’s graduate studies were also her introduction to teaching. When she was at Auburn University, she received a teaching assistantship to cover her tuition, which meant she would need to teach a lab course. However, because English is her second language, Ren said she struggled to engage with her students.  

“That was quite a challenge,” said Ren. “I could talk to the students fine, but I could not understand what they communicated with me.”  

Ren persevered by finding creative ways to communicate with her students, like having them write their questions on paper so she could understand what they needed. But the challenges made her reluctant to pursue teaching in the future.  

Ren decided instead to pursue a research role, leading her to a post-doctoral scholar position at Stanford University. While Stanford allowed her to focus on her research full-time, she also got to know the graduate students in her lab, mentoring and collaborating with them on an individual level.  

“I loved this environment,” said Ren. “It planted a seed in my mind that maybe I should give teaching another try.”  

Coming to Pacific 

After completing her time at Stanford, Ren began to look for jobs in research and teaching. Her search led her to University of the Pacific, where she would get to do both.  

When Ren arrived on Pacific’s Stockton campus for the first time, she says it was love at first sight. 

“Once I drove into the campus, oh, I loved it. I thought, ‘It’s so green! It’s so beautiful and peaceful,’” said Ren.  

As soon as she met her future colleagues in the chemistry department and the pharmacy school, Ren was convinced that Pacific was the right place for her.  

“It gave me the feeling that I could do something really meaningful,” said Ren. “It was a strong feeling.” 

Flash forward 20 years, and Professor Ren has undoubtedly left her mark on Pacific. In addition to teaching chemistry to thousands of students, Ren has made invaluable contributions to Pacific’s research programs.  

Creating chemistry research opportunities for undergraduates 

Since the beginning of her career at Pacific in 2002, Ren has prioritized bringing in undergraduate students to participate in hands-on research. Ren says the opportunity to do research early on is unique to Pacific and extremely valuable. 

“Most research universities only have graduate students working on research projects with undergraduate students mainly supporting and hardly getting the chance to do research,” said Ren. “Students should definitely take the chance to do research as an undergrad, because that training will help you think outside the box and gain a deeper understanding.” 

Because many of her students are on pre-health pathways, Ren centers her research program around biochemistry, looking at peptides to help scientists understand age-related illnesses. Over the years, Ren’s students, including undergraduates, have made valuable contributions to the lab. Ren recalled one student, John Tan, who created an automated synthesizer for chemical reactions.  

“John really shaped this research,” said Ren. “He worked on two publications in leading chemistry journals and was the co-author on those papers as an undergraduate student.”  

Stauffer Undergraduate Summer Research Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry 

Ren also serves as an adviser to the Stauffer Undergraduate Summer Research Program, which was created in 2017 to further expand opportunities for student research in chemistry and biochemistry.  

The $2 million John Stauffer Undergraduate Summer Research Endowment funds students participating in a 10-week research program over the summer, where they are paid a stipend and work with a faculty member to design, develop and conduct research projects.  

In addition to gaining hands-on research skills, Ren said the program also helps students discern their future career paths.  

“It’s so exciting. They discover hidden talents and interests that they didn’t know they had before,” said Ren. “After they finish the Stauffer Program, quite a number of students realize they want to do research and get into graduate programs.”  

Sharing the joy of research and learning 

Ren says that while teaching students is the biggest challenge she’s faced in her career, it is also the most rewarding.  

“My interest has shifted to working with undergraduate students and giving them training. It’s a joy,” said Ren. “I learn so much from them because they are always growing. It’s like starting with a blank paper and painting a beautiful picture.”  

Lauris Dang ’24 moved from Vietnam to Stockton only six years ago. When she came to Pacific to major in biochemistry, she discovered her passion for laboratory research. This summer, thanks to Pacific’s Stauffer Charitable Trust Challenge Grant, she has been able to work full time in Professor Georgios Pantouris’s lab at Pacific researching ways to fight cancer.

Why I applied for Pacific’s Stauffer Charitable Trust Challenge Grant

Before I got into the program, I worked as a pharmacy associate to support my college expenses, especially my tuition. The Stauffer Grant allowed me to focus on my lab research full time while I’m still able to support myself financially.

To get into the program you need to have a professor’s recommendation and my professor, Georgios Pantouris, recommended that I should apply for the grant. You also have to write an abstract about how the grant is going to help you as a student. A good GPA is also important because the internship is not only selective about your skills in research but also your academic achievements.

My research

I’m investigating a protein called D-dopachrome tautomerase (D-DT) which is an immunomodulatory cytokine with an established negative contribution on tumor survival, proliferation and metastasis. In Dr. Pantouris’s lab, we are trying to understand better the functionality of D-DT in cancer which could help to develop anti-cancer therapeutics in the future.

What I do in the lab

In the lab, we all work independently on our own projects. My duties vary depending on the stage of my project and what my focus of the day is. For instance, I may have to express, purify, characterize or crystallize various proteins, prepare reagents for an upcoming experiment and assist with lab-related assignments.

How I collaborate with professors and fellow students

I am working closely with my graduate student Andrew Parkins and I discuss my project with Dr. Pantouris on a regular basis. Also, we have lab meetings every week. That’s when I have the opportunity to share my thoughts, project concerns and achievements with my lab mates.

The skills I’m learning

For each project, the Pantouris lab employs a multidisciplinary approach at the interface of chemistry and biology. Although I am not an expert in any of the techniques, I was fortunate to learn a lot. For instance, I learned how to express, purify, and crystallize a protein, characterize it biochemically using steady-state kinetics, and synthesize small molecule inhibitors. I also had the opportunity to get an idea of mammalian cell culture. I was also able to solidify my pipetting techniques.

Besides that, I grew confident in my problem-solving skills as I tackled new obstacles. Self-doubt is a scary but magnificent tool. Doubting yourself is what makes a good scientist. You have to doubt your assumptions and hypothesis until you prove your doubts wrong with empirical evidence. For example, when the results come out well, you cannot think “I didn’t do it right. It just came out like this by accident.” I think confidence is really important. 

The next steps for my research

Ultimate goal is to produce a research paper. I will continue working on this project until we publish our work. Besides publication, I would also like to attend a national science conference. Discussing my research with other scientists would provide an unbiased evaluation of my work and help me to improve its quality. My lab really supports this idea, so I am looking forward to this opportunity.

My advice for students who are interested in studying science

Learn to be sure of yourself. It will come from experience. If you’re passionate enough, you will be noticed eventually and if you have a chance to work in a lab, accept it because you will have one-on-one interactions with more experienced graduate students. In a real lab, you can learn a lot of practical skills, like pipetting, that can be used in other science laboratory courses. More than that, you can also learn about life from your lab mates, graduate students and professors. Ultimately, if you are interested in science, continue delving into it no matter how intimidating it might be at first. With enough time and practice, you will learn more than you ever expected.

Gabby Sonderegger ’23 is a chemistry major from Washington state, although she mostly grew up in Maryland. Gabby became interested in chemistry in high school because she found the subject challenging.

Her dream is to become a research scientist at a national lab. In fact, she decided to study chemistry at Pacific because of the university’s new research opportunities. Last summer, as a recipient of Pacific’s Stauffer Charitable Trust Challenge Grant, she was able to work on synthesizing molecular switches which have a potential use in cancer drug delivery systems.

What is your favorite thing to do on campus after class?

Going to concerts at the Conservatory of Music.

Is there a faculty or staff member at Pacific whom you will stay in touch with after you graduate?

Professor Vyacheslav Samoshin.

What is the latest that you’ve stayed up to study for a test?

Until 2 a.m.

If you have a best friend at Pacific, what’s their major?

Geological and environmental science.

What is your favorite class and what’s the hardest one?

I like physical chemistry a lot, but organic chemistry is the hardest.

What’s your favorite food at the campus cafeteria?

I just grab salads because there’s never a line.

What is your favorite place to study on campus?

The library.

What is your favorite place to hang out on campus?

Robb Garden is really nice.

What is your favorite thing to do off-campus?

Hiking. There are a lot of national parks pretty close by.