Emily  Mick

Fourth-year student Emily Mick’s experience helping to develop a novel iron chelator as an antitumor agent set her on a path for continued academic success. The recipient of a 2008 College of Science and Letters Undergraduate Summer Research Stipend, Mick worked with Joy Chong, assistant professor and cancer researcher, and coauthored a paper on her findings in the peer-reviewed chemistry journal Angewandte Chemie. Mick also presented a poster at the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium and was named winner of the Chemistry Division.

For her outstanding work in the classroom and laboratory, Mick was recognized with the 2008 Division of Analytical Chemistry Undergraduate Award from the American Chemistry Society and the 2008–09 Kilpatrick Scholarship from IIT.

“Having such a great research experience is a huge advantage for the future,” says Mick, who is applying to pharmacy school. “I have learned some fundamental organic synthesis skills as well as gained insight into how a college research group functions.”

Mick transferred to IIT at the end of her sophomore year from Lake Forest College because she was seeking a more comprehensive chemistry program within an intimate environment that would give her ready access to faculty. Born in Park Ridge, Ill., Mick was already familiar with the reputation and small-school environment IIT offered.

“Transferring to IIT was the right choice for me,” says Mick. “IIT has given me so many opportunities to show myself and others my potential. I have gained a lot of confidence in my academic ability by being here.”