Hi! My name is Chandler McElrath, and I am a third-year PhD student at the Medical College of
Wisconsin, Department of Biochemistry. I attended college at Carroll University and graduated
in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. Science communication is my passion, and I
look forward to my future career as an undergraduate biochemistry instructor. Science, with its
alphabet soup acronyms and complex terminology, isn’t always welcoming to new eyes. I aim
to make science more digestible and accessible. I can’t wait to support students from all
backgrounds in their journey into science.
A lot of people ask me how I decided that I wanted to be a science professor, often by people
are trying to decide themselves. I figured out what I wanted to do when I was 16, and I haven’t
changed my mind since. I participated in Students Modeling a Research Topic (SMART) team
program through the Milwaukee School of Engineering when I was a sophomore in high school.
It was my introduction to proteins, how they fold, how they can act as drug targets, and
communicating these ideas to other people. I continue to be enamored with how something as
small as a gene or a protein can have such a profound effect on human health and making
these amazing science concepts come to life with effective communication.
I love both biology and chemistry, and I couldn’t decide between the two when choosing a
major in college. Then, I discovered that I didn’t have to choose… there was a biochemistry
major! I didn’t fully understand what biochemistry meant when I chose it, but I only loved it
more as I learned more during my college years. I became involved with the Carroll University
Chemistry Club, doing science demonstrations at Discovery World in Milwaukee and local
elementary school classes. I asked my academic advisor about research opportunities in the
area, and she invited me to do research with her! Through this connection, I participated in the
Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) program in both 2017 and 2018,
spending 10 weeks in research labs at the Medical College of Wisconsin and presenting on my
project to MCW professors and students.
Fast forward 4-5 years…here I am as a PhD student at the school where I first picked up a
pipette. I’ve learned so much about protein chemistry, cell culture, and cell signaling, but I’ve
learned even more about myself. I’ve written a grant applying for a fellowship from the
National Institute of Health, and while this was a successful experience for me, I learned that I
don’t want to spend the rest of my life doing it! When I graduate, I will be looking for a lecturer
position at a liberal arts school or community college. This way, my primary responsibility will
be teaching courses and advising students rather than writing grants to support independent
research.
For anyone looking into STEM careers: STEM needs you. Science benefits from having all sorts
of perspectives and personalities. No matter where your interests lie, there is a place for you.
And there are so many people who will help you navigate any obstacles along the way.
