Professor’s Research Propels Student on Promising Career Path

It’s a good thing professors at Rutgers-Camden talk about their research in the classes they teach. That’s just how Lindsey Glaspey of Tabernacle got curious enough to assist her chemistry professor in research that’s led her on a promising career path.

When Alex Roche, an associate professor of chemistry at Rutgers-Camden, discussed with his class his latest findings on synthetic organofluorine chemistry, one student’s ears were especially open. Glaspey, a biology major, was inspired by Roche’s passion and asked if he needed help with his research that could lead to commercial developments like new electric battery designs. She has since been assisting Roche, which has led to research developments of her own.

With other student colleagues, Glaspey synthesized a compound in order to confirm its presence in the brain for a study on thyroid hormones Roche conducted with Joseph Martin, a Rutgers-Camden professor of biology. She presented this research, which was funded through a Dean’s Undergraduate Research Grant, during the Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity held recently at Rutgers—Camden.

“I didn’t really have a direction in high school,” says the Bishop Eustace class of 2004 grad. “When I started at Rutgers-Camden I was exploring my interests and was really influenced by the motivated students in my classes. Later on I realized how important and easy it was for me to interact with faculty members. That’s made a big difference,” Glaspey points out.

In fact, getting involved with research challenged Glaspey to enroll in more advanced classes like graduate level courses in Biochemistry and Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry. This was in addition to an undergraduate research course and working two part-time jobs.

Before attending Rutgers-Camden, Glaspey knew she wanted a small college close to home, but once on campus she was surprised at the various opportunities the school actually offered. For instance, she took advantage of a Rutgers-Camden course that provided internship experience while earning college credit. This course connected her with Cooper Hospital where she surveyed patients about abdominal pain. After graduation, Glaspey will supervise this program in a full-time position at the Camden-based facility.

“I’m excited to work in a hospital setting, so I can get a better idea on what kind of medicine I’d eventually like to practice,” notes Glaspey, who will graduate at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 22 at the Susquehanna Bank Center.

Information about Commencement 2008