Principal Investigator
Michelle Chen
Education
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Northwestern University (2020)
B.A. in Chemistry and Economics, Dartmouth College (2015)
Professional Appointments
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Wesleyan University (2024-Present)
Postdoctoral Associate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2020-2024)
Email: mchen02@wesleyan.edu
Michelle grew up on Long Island, NY. She received her B.A. in Chemistry and Economics from Dartmouth College where she modeled ionic liquid and polymer miscibility in Jane Lipson’s group. After Dartmouth, she moved on to Northwestern University where she earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry under the supervision of Michael Wasielewski. At Northwestern, she investigated the nature of the singlet fission multiexciton state in rylenediimide covalent dimers and thin films using time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. After receiving her Ph.D., Michelle joined Timothy Swager’s group at MIT as a postdoctoral associate where she designed, synthesized, and characterized small molecule and polymer surfactants and utilized these materials to create analytical assays for biosensing. She joined Wesleyan University in the summer of 2024.
Graduate Students
Shishir Acharya
Ph.D. Candidate (3rd Year)
Hometown: Hetauda, Nepal
Hobbies: Hiking, Evening Walks, Watching Movies, and Exploring Different Restaurants
Favorite Wavelength/Color: 750 nm/Red
William Brydon
Incoming Ph.D. Student
Hometown: Belleville Illinois
Hobbies: Overwatch, Board Games, and Eating Out
Favorite Wavelength/Color: Orange
Alanna Dwyer ’26
(BA/MA Candidate)
Hometown: Wallingford, Connecticut
Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Photography, and Going on Walks
Favorite Wavelength/Color: 495 nm
Undergraduate Students
Marlowe Ashton ’27
Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts
Hobbies: Rugby
Favorite Wavelength/Color: Green
Ellie Fein ’28
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Hobbies: Making Clothing, Hiking, and Farming
Favorite Wavelength/Color: 475 nm
Paul Sliker ’28
Hometown: Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
Hobbies: Running, Baking, and Ultimate Frisbee
Favorite Wavelength/Color: 525 nm
Elias Warner ’28
Hometown: Barrington, New Hampshire
Hobbies: Throwing and Hiking
Favorite Wavelength/Color: 650 nm/Red