Stevens Ph.D. Alumni Drive Innovation in Biopharma With Strong Roots in Chemical Biology
Recent doctoral recipients largely credit academic, professional success to balanced curriculum that combines practical and theoretical perspectives
From computational chemistry to oncology drug discovery and polymer science, alumni of Stevens Institute of Technology’s doctoral programs in Chemistry and Chemical Biology are making significant contributions to the biopharmaceutical industry. Three recent Ph.D. alumni from the Schaefer School of Engineering and Science largely credit their academic and professional success to the rigorous training and collaborative environment they experienced within the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.
The department’s curriculum further supports students pursuing careers in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields, including recently revised chemistry master’s courses, a certificate in drug discovery and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI).
Bridging AI and Chemistry
Jia-Min Chu, who earned her Ph.D. in 2023, is now a catalyst simulation postdoctoral researcher at SandboxAQ. Her work focuses on designing computational workflows to model catalytic reactions, blending traditional molecular simulations with artificial intelligence to accelerate catalyst discovery.
With a B.A.in chemistry from Hartwick College, Chu was drawn to Stevens by its strong reputation in computational sciences and the impactful research led by her advisor, Yong Zhang. Chu’s doctoral research centered on using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular simulations to understand biocatalytic processes. Later, she expanded her focus to include AI-driven approaches, a direction that now defines her career.
Chu’s experience in courses such as Advanced Analytical Chemistry, taught by industry veterans from Merck, helped her appreciate the complexity of real-world scientific problems and sharpened her critical-thinking skills. A summer internship at AstraZeneca, where she got to work with assistant professor Pin-Kuang Lai from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, further reinforced her passion for integrating AI with chemistry.
"From the beginning, the department felt like a family, like a place where everyone encouraged one another and created a welcoming, non-intimidating atmosphere," said Chu. "This sense of community made research more enjoyable and exciting, and it fosters the idea of staying curious. These experiences not only made Stevens feel like home but also played an important role in preparing me for the next steps in my scientific career."
Chu went on to publish four peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals during a single year of her graduate studies, 2024, after four publications earlier in the Ph.D. period, with a few more papers to come out later. Although a strong publication record is not required for all Chemistry and Chemical Biology graduate students, depending upon their specialization and goals, it can often make a big difference in a student’s unfolding career success. Chu related that she discussed her scientific papers during her interviews, and Woo Lee, department chair, commented that she likely received many more interviews due to her publication record.
Leading in Oncology Drug Development
Candice Casillas, who completed her Ph.D. in 2020, now serves as an associate director at Merck’s West Point, Pennsylvania, facility. She leads multiple analytical testing laboratories supporting the company’s biologics pipeline, combining technical expertise with people management.
Casillas earned her B.S. in chemical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She returned to graduate school after four years as an associate process engineer at the New Jersey-based Merck research site, choosing Stevens for its practical, industry-relevant curriculum and its location in the pharmaceutical corridor of the New York metro area. Her research under adjunct professor, Dr. William Windsor and former department chair Peter Tolias focused on the MAPK cellular pathway and the impact of KRAS mutations in oncology. Casillas’ biochemical and cell biology research led to two publications, including one in collaboration with the department chemists developing a novel kinase inhibitor for treating colon cancer.
"I really enjoyed the curriculum and the classes in the Chemical Biology program," said Casillas. "One of my favorite classes was Cell Signal Transduction, which directly influenced me wanting to work under Dr. Windsor. I found the research journey to be very enjoyable. With research, we don’t know the answers, or the outcome, and we are studying to learn and discover something new. Collecting the data and seeing the research and story come together along the way was an amazing experience."
Casillas also valued the opportunity to learn about drug discovery and collaborate with scientists from a neighboring biotech company, Cepter Biopartners, during her time in Windsor’s lab. She credits this exposure, along with her teaching assistant roles, for shaping her leadership style and deepening her technical knowledge in biological research.
Advancing Polymer Chemistry in Industry
Scott Ruppel, who defended his dissertation in 2023, is now a postdoctoral polymer chemist at Bezwada Biomedical in New Jersey. He oversees the entire polymer production process, from synthesis to characterization, and is leading efforts to scale up the company’s manufacturing capabilities.
After graduating from Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute, Ruppel began his journey at Stevens as a master’s student and transitioned into the Ph.D. program under the mentorship of Professor Junfeng Liang. Ruppel’s research focused on controlling the polymerization of polydopamine and tuning the properties of resulting nanoparticles and coatings. His research provides valuable insights and technologies for the precise control of dopamine oxidation and polymerization, with broad applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. His graduate work resulted in six (three first authors and three co-authors) peer-reviewed publications.
"My lab experience at Stevens was incredibly thorough," Ruppel said. "I was trained on virtually every analytical instrument at the university. My time at Stevens gave me all the knowledge I have about polymer chemistry as well as most of my research skills. I was able to take over this role and continue to expand my responsibilities due to the strong polymer chemistry base I learned at Stevens."
Ruppel also enjoyed teaching during his Ph.D. and hopes to return to the classroom in the future. For now, he’s focused on expanding his research skills and contributing to innovation in polymer science.
A Common Thread: Stevens’ Supportive, Interdisciplinary Environment
Despite their diverse career paths, Chu, Casillas and Ruppel share a common appreciation for the program’s supportive culture, hands-on training and emphasis on real-world application. The program’s flexibility allowed each of them to tailor their research to their interests while benefiting from mentorship and collaboration across disciplines.
"The department organizes events and workshops focused on developing skills beyond the lab, including public speaking, scientific writing, job searching and professional networking," said Chu. "Through attending seminars, workshops and conferences, I was continually exposed to interdisciplinary ideas and cutting-edge advances in chemistry, chemical engineering and chemical biology. These interactions have enriched my scientific perspective and strengthened my ability to collaborate across disciplines."
As these alumni continue to shape the future of biopharma, their stories highlight the transformative impact of the Stevens education that is powered by technology but inspired by humanity.