Two Thumbs Up

The Graduate School at Baylor is not a sink or swim kind of school, says Sheree Allen, third year chemistry doctoral candidate, "The department is clearly committed to each student's success and recognizes that an engaging curriculum is the key to building the level of experience necessary to ensure the success of our careers," she says. "I would recommend the graduate program in chemistry to anyone who is willing to make the commitment necessary to pursuing an advanced degree."

Baylor Research Opportunities

After completing her undergraduate work in chemistry at Texas Lutheran University, she decided to pursue an advanced degree. From among many schools and programs, she says that the research opportunities at Baylor made the choice easy. "The hard part was narrowing my research interests," she explains. "I was eager to get started and joined an organic group right away, where I began doing my own research within two semesters."

While Baylor's program provides coursework for all of the major sub-disciplines of chemistry, Sheree's research interest landed on what is a mouthful for most, organic synthesis of new beta-cyclodextrin derivatives as novel stationary phases for gas chromatography. "Basically, I get to make new compounds and observe their ability to separate isomers of chiral molecules."

People Make a Difference

Coming from a small school, she was sure that the personal feel would diminish in a larger program but was pleasantly surprised. "It is easy to get to know each professor on a more personal level and each one takes an active interest in your success."

She has enjoyed the access to twenty full-time faculty members and the opportunity to explore chemistry with state-of-the-art equipment and world-class facilities. However, Sheree admits that "at the end of the day, it's the people who make the department what it is."

When she graduates, she says that Baylor has equipped her to succeed in a variety of disciplines including post-doctorate studies, teaching, and options within the chemical industry, but whichever way she decides to go, she is intent on continuing to develop and utilize her laboratory skills.