Oberlin Student’s Research Journey: From CELA to PhD Plans

Oberlin College student Alex Xie ’26 has been nominated for a Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA) Award, recognizing her success in translating undergraduate research into a focused career path in pharmaceutical science. Xie’s journey, beginning with initial laboratory experience as a sophomore, demonstrates the impact of Oberlin’s programs in fostering undergraduate research and clarifying post-graduate goals.

Xie’s first research opportunity arose during a winter term working in the chemistry lab of Professor Anthony Allen. “That experience gave me a good sense of what it was like to work in a lab, and I enjoyed building off of the organic chemistry I had learned in class,” Xie said. This initial exposure led her to apply for, and receive, a stipend through the Oberlin Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (OSURF) program – now known as the Oberlin Summer Research Institute Fellowship. During that summer, Xie worked under the mentorship of Professor Will Parsons, expanding her skillset beyond the laboratory.

“I learned many new research techniques through this project, but I also improved my skills in other areas such as reading scientific literature and preparing presentations,” Xie explained. The success she found within the OSURF program motivated her to pursue the Goldwater Scholarship, a highly competitive award for undergraduate researchers. The application process, supported by Oberlin’s Fellowships Office, proved pivotal in solidifying her academic and professional ambitions.

“I had arrive into Oberlin wanting to pursue a PhD, but it had been more of a distant goal,” Xie said. “Applying for the Goldwater Scholarship helped cement that goal into something more definitive and made me think about my future career plans after graduate school.” Following her time at Oberlin, Xie was accepted into a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at Emory University, where she conducted chemical biology research under the guidance of a graduate student. “Experiencing research at an R1 institution and seeing what a graduate student’s life is like further solidified my desire to go to graduate school,” she stated.

Xie’s experiences, facilitated by CELA and its associated programs, have led her to a clear vision for her future. She intends to pursue a PhD in chemistry after graduating from Oberlin, with the ultimate goal of becoming a pharmaceutical research scientist. The CELA Award nomination recognizes her outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.

Robert F. Geitz, a 1980 graduate of the University of Illinois Department of Mathematics, completed his dissertation, “The Pettis Integral,” while at Oberlin College, according to records from the Illinois Math department. Anthony L. Peressini also received his doctorate from the University of Illinois and went on to Oregon State University.