Joedian Morris
By: Maya Reid
A curiosity and love for science led Joedian Morris down an unpredictable but successful path to gaining her Ph.D. in Chemistry at Old Dominion 91短视频.
"Up until my last year as an undergraduate student at the 91短视频 of the West Indies, I was not sure I wanted to pursue a Ph.D," said Morris. During her senior year Morris participated in a study abroad program at the 91短视频 of Gothenburg in Sweden and "that experience really opened my eyes to the effect research has on making new discoveries and solving worldwide problems," said Morris. I left Sweden with a motivation to apply for graduate school where I could do meaningful research that will have a wide impact," said Morris.
Her journey towards graduate school took a slight detour. Morris taught high school chemistry for two years, but after speaking with a former professor at the 91短视频 of the West Indies, she was encouraged to reach out to Dr. Alvin Holder, associate professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at ODU. After their conversation, Morris knew what she had to do. "ODU was the only university in the USA that I applied to without even thinking of other choices," said Morris. She received her acceptance letter from ODU and "I knew what I wanted to achieve, and I was grateful for the opportunity".
Morris dove into research and works alongside Dr. Guijan Wang, professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Joedian is a highly motivated and hardworking graduate student," said Dr, Wang. "She is an outstanding graduate student who has been working on research projects interfacing synthesis, materials, and biological systems." In the Wang Research Lab she and other graduate students research low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) derived from sugar-like molecules. "These gelators or small molecules self-assemble to form gels and have potential applications to drug delivery and environmental remediation." said Morris. The cross-linked gelators are held together by intermolecular interactions and can trap drug molecules in their networks. Morris' current research focuses on making functionalized stimuli responsive gels that can be activated under certain conditions such as by enzymes that digest fats for various applications in drug delivery, environmental remediation, and enzyme immobilization.
Morris' excellence has been recognized with first prize in the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers 2020 ConneXions poster competition in the Organic Chemistry category sponsored by Pfizer. Morris will receive her Ph.D. in Chemistry at ODU in Spring 2021 and is currently exploring job opportunities in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. "ODU has and continues to foster a diverse environment where students feel welcomed and motivated to be successful" said Morris.