Hi! My name is Asia Noelani Fee, Chemist & Founder of Alchemist Asia. I am a recent graduate from California State University, Channel Islands majoring in Chemistry and specializing in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry
How I first became interested in science
I never knew I would be pursuing a career in chemistry, but I faced several moments of interest where I should’ve known. As early as the age of eight, I found myself deeply invested in building, specifically designing “projects” such as rube goldberg machines. These machines were chain reaction contraptions I built with any and all household items like jump ropes or buckets. For a moment I had considered engineering, but eight-year-old me didn’t quite realize what that was yet.
In junior high, I took my educational projects very intensely. For example, we had to build a presentation on a real volcano and build a replica to follow. My partner and I decided it was too basic to pick just one volcano. So instead we chose the ring of fire, which consists of over 450 volcanoes.
A year later, it was the first science fair organized by our school and many students had consulted parents on ideas. I was dead set on the idea of wowing people, so I started researching more difficult experiments. My original plan was to grow crystals but my first trials had failed. When walking home one day, I stopped at the 99 cent store and conjured a project after finding a bag of water beads (otherwise called Orbeez). These water beads were notorious for holding a large amount of water, so I pitched the idea of growing plants with them replacing soil. I had aced the project, won honorable mention at my school’s Science Fair, and even advanced to the County Science Fair. The ironic part? When I made it to high school, I was convinced I was going to be a professional cupcake bake.
What sparked my passion for Chemistry:
I was set on the idea for years that I wanted to be a professional cupcake baker, but all of the signs for science were there. What really sparked that passion was the same passion I had for makeup. Cosmetics were a creative outlet for me in high school. Though, one of my biggest feats was finding lipstick shades I could afford. It was easy to find a red or pink at the dollar store, but the bright blues and purples were only sold by established brands such as Kat Von D. It was at that moment that I decided to make my own! I got more involved in my chemistry coursework and would compare notes to the searches I made online. I was able to source ingredients from my local grocery store to produce my own custom lipstick colors. While sporting my custom lipsticks in school, I would think to myself, “Is there a career in making cosmetics?” and it turned out there was. Cosmetic Chemistry! All of the lights had flashed on for me. Through the help of my science teachers, I was able to learn more about careers in chemistry and I took advanced coursework to expand this passion for my newly loved subject.
Pursuing Chemistry NOT Cosmetics:
My senior year of high school I had dedicated myself to an educational future by not only my extracurriculars and school work, but by saving money. I started working at my family’s restaurant at age fourteen to fund my own expenses and begin saving. I had applied to several universities throughout California and felt that everything was falling into place. That was until I heard a conversation between my mother and a customer. I was cleaning a table during a dinner shift when I heard my name and looked up to see her point in my direction. She was explaining to her customer that I was going to be pursuing Cosmetology, aka beauty school. My mother was an immigrant and had not previously gone to receive higher education after high school. It was difficult to explain the ‘Cosmetic Chemistry’ career I was trying to achieve, but mistakenly spread news to her customers that I was going to do nails and hair for a living
instead. It was easy for anyone to believe this because I always had my hair up, nails painted, and makeup on.
I have nothing against those who are in the cosmetology industry, but something we commonly understood was the negative stigma associated with women who pursue careers in beauty. People doubt your abilities and intelligence as they don’t perceive the field as a serious/rigorous career. I had been pegged the same throughout high school, and was now receiving those familiar glances of disapproval.
Already hurt by the idea of people seeing me as an unintelligent makeup artist, I received rejections from all but one of my universities. I was crushed but I hated the idea of quitting. So, I sat down with myself and asked, “What else can I do with my major?”. I was already dedicated to Chemistry on all of my applications and letters of recommendation. It was then that I made the decision to go into arguably one of the more intense subcategories of chemistry, Organic and Medicinal.
Against my original plans, I stayed home and attended my local community college to complete my general education courses while saving money. I graduated with two associate’s of science degrees in: Life & Physical Science and Math & Science. That following Fall semester, I transferred to CSU Channel Islands to pursue my Bachelors in Chemistry!
Finding my career
At first, this journey started very linearly. I have my University staff to credit for the amazing opportunities to start working in the industry.
My first day of class -ever- at CSUCI I had a scheduled interview with the Chemistry department. Despite having no previous lab experience outside of school, they hired me as a Chemistry Lab Prep to gain more experience. I was responsible for setting up lab equipment, preparing reagents, and running machinery such as the HPLC, NMR, IR, etc. It was part-time, but I got hands-on experience with several equipment most students hardly ever get to touch in their post graduation careers.
The following semester I learned of a program suggested by a friend and applied. The PROMESAS program had several branches, which included one specifically for STEM! I was hired as a Peer Mentor and co-facilitator for first year STEM students. This course offered them workshops and resources while helping them achieve their educational goals.
During my studies and then two jobs, I was offered a spot on my professor’s research team. That summer, I was accepted into SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship) which gave me the opportunity to conduct chemistry research and get paid. This role was the most impactful and I was able to apply my knowledge to a diligent project in Computational/Medicinal Chemistry. Our team was able to present state-wide and grabbed the attention of many. My professor had pulled me aside and proposed the idea of a potential internship with a local company. They were looking to hire two interns as a trial run for a prospective, long term internship. I accepted with open arms and began the process my final year of CSUCI. I worked with Parker Hannifin Corp. as a Research & Development Intern, gaining knowledge in the filtration lab as well as the engineering department. Within eight months and a successful graduation, I was promoted to a Lab Technician and led research projects for the company.
Even though I was working full time, I found that my life at home was unfulfilling. I was looking to explore a creative outlet and I had rediscovered my interest in cosmetic chemistry. It originally started as a personal project, but after overproducing a batch of lipgloss, I sold the excess to friends online within an hour! The idea of Alchemist Asia was born. I began designing science inspired cosmetics and skincare and launched my business in September 2020.
It was such exciting work and everything seemed to be working in my favor until the pandemic.
I was fortunate enough to continue working as an essential worker in the lab during the COVID19 outbreak, but I was followed by the loss of housing. It was devastating and I faced the difficult decision between being homeless and keeping my job or losing my job and being unemployed from home. My goals to accomplish more than what my childhood peers anticipated of me felt as if they were escaping my grasp.
On a completely different plane of life, my partner was going to leave to pursue his education in Alaska, and asked if I would come along. Not knowing what was in store for me, I had said yes and moved to a remote city in Alaska with him.
Months leading up to the move, I researched remote positions that would best accommodate my new home. I came across some social media positions that gave me great experience and opened doors I didn’t know existed! The work I was collaborating on gave me a much denser experience in content creation and social media management, which I was able to apply to my own business. I also met incredible people who introduced me to other businesses and programs. Consequently, I met the owner of an up and coming beauty company who was interested in hiring me as a Product Development Intern. I was able to work remotely and continue conducting scientific research for beauty products. I was simultaneously approached by private companies to provide cosmetic formulation services for products ranging from serums to shampoo!
I found myself spending my first year in Alaska functioning 100% from home as a legitimate scientist and cosmetic company owner. While running socials and my own business, I was often approached to be interviewed or featured as a speaker for several beauty/STEM events. I shared this same journey with hundreds online and it was so incredible to see their excitement learning about unconventional careers as my own.
I have since established my own platform via Instagram, my blog, and my business to inspire others and to break down stereotypes in STEM!
Future Steps
This is something I reflect on constantly. During my undergraduate career, I was set on the idea of applying to graduate school to further my education, but after working my internship and the uncertainty of the pandemic I held on to my applications.
I do still have the desire to either pursue my Masters or PhD in Chemistry, because I am very passionate about research. I want to continue learning and pushing myself to make a contribution in science.
However, I can also see myself expanding my business and maybe someday funding my own program for children and students to get involved in STEM!
Advice for those who want to pursue my field:
Explore different careers. Something that held me back so long was the closed-mindedness of my own field. For years, I had told myself I would either go to grad school or work in the ‘industry’. The industry was much larger. I had thought it was exclusive to science and only science businesses hire scientists. I was so wrong, but it led me to something right! By exploring careers outside of Chemistry, I found my dream job where my passion for makeup & content creation and my education in science combined. Just know you can do the same and find your dream job by understanding what you really enjoy doing and expanding your skill set!
My links and contact info:
