Megan Morales

Department: Chemistry
Faculty Adviser: Robert Knowles
Year of Study: G1
Undergraduate School: University of Chicago
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry

Personal Bio

I grew up in Miami, Florida before moving to Chicago for college, where I attended the University of Chicago. Originally, I started as an engineering major before joining the organic chemistry lab of Prof. Mark Levin the summer after my first year. This was my first experience in a chemistry lab, and developing a deep passion for organic methods led to switching my major to chemistry. Doing research throughout my undergrad motivated me to attend graduate school and exposed me to the world of academia.

Fun Fact

Throughout college, I played competitive Ultimate Frisbee where I was team captain for two years! I still love to play and am always down to throw a frisbee on any patch of grass. Outside of sports, I love going to concerts and shopping for little trinkets!

Research Pitch

When coming to Princeton I joined an organic chemistry methods laboratory. My lab specializes in excited state chemistry, and my project specifically consists of studying a photo-excited asymmetric hydroamination reaction. My project explores new methods to make products that would be hard to synthesize without high-energy intermediates, especially asymmetric products. The industry that most closely relates to organic methods is pharmaceutical production, which is always looking for new and better methods to make medicinal compounds. My day-to-day consists of setting up reactions and analyzing relevant data using organic chemistry techniques, many of which are explored in sophomore-level organic chemistry laboratory classes!

Upcoming Programs That I Am Attending:

Plans for Summer 2025

Not available to participate in Summer ReMatch+ program.