Meet Medicinal Chemistry's Graduates

We are thrilled to share our newest cohort of Medicinal Chemistry graduates! The following four students earned their degrees in the first half of 2025:

Lauren Rault, MS
“Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity of 2′-C-methylcytarabine”
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Harki
Lauren is now a Scientist at PPD.

Ritu Prajapati, MS
“Understanding the Roles of the Melanocortin 3- and 4-Receptors (MC3R and MC4R) in Energy Homeostasis: Need of Selective MC3R and MC4R Ligands as Probes to Gain Therapeutic Insights for Treating Metabolic Syndrome”
Advisor: Dr. Carrie Haskell-Luevano
Ritu is now a Research Associate at The University of Texas Medical Branch.

Rui Shi, PhD
“Targeting Retinoic Acid Receptors for Male Contraception and Targeting RAD51 for TMZ-resistant Glioblastoma”
Advisor: Dr. Gunda Georg
Rui is now a postdoctoral scholar with the Nomura Group at UC Berkeley.

Yutong Liu, PhD
“Development of CatSper and KSper Inhibitors for Non-hormonal Male Contraception”
Advisor: Dr. Gunda Georg
Yutong is now a lecturer in UMN’s Department of Chemistry.

Each of these students made wonderful contributions to the department during their time with us, and we’ll miss having them around. However, we are also thrilled to see them graduate and start the next chapter of their lives.

You’re always welcome to come back for a visit, Gophers!