What projects did you take part in during your internship?

My project mainly focused on modifying an existing drug, Iclaprim. Iclaprim is effective against multi-drug resistant Gram positive bacteria, but is much less efficient against Gram negative pathogens. Targeting Gram negative bacteria is difficult because of their second cell membrane and a generalized efflux pump system that makes it difficult for antibiotics to reach the lethal concentration inside the cell. My work involved a lot of organic chemistry reactions and modifying the route to produce a version of Iclaprim that could have amine groups upended on specific locations that would increase uptake of the antibiotic while avoiding a decrease in the antibiotic's engagement to the cellular target. 

How did you get the internship? 

The Snyder Scholar program, at University of Illinois, targets students from primarily undergraduate institutions who are interested in Organic Chemistry or Chemical Biology. It was recommended to me by Dr. Hart, and Dr. Wallar because of my interest in pursuing medicinal chemistry. One student from GVSU is selected by the Chemistry Department to apply after recommendations from professors and an interview with Dr. Leonard, and I was selected late in the Fall semester. I applied over Winter break and heard back in early January, when I then accepted the offer. The application required a personal statement of research interests, a research statement, CV/resume, and an unofficial transcript with recommendation from the Chemistry Department at GVSU.