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Chemistry Students in lab

You don’t have to look far before finding success from ֱ’s Chemistry program alumni – including Cátia Dombaxe ’20. Dombaxe did not slow down after graduating from MU in 2020. She is currently a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University. Her research focuses on developing a new therapy for spinal cord injury (SCI), which has helped garner numerous awards and recognition from National Geographic.

You don’t have to look far before finding success from ֱ’s Chemistry program alumni – including Cátia Dombaxe ’20.

Dombaxe grew up in Luanda, Angola before moving to the United States to attend ֱ to major in Chemistry with a concentration in Forensic Science (Chemistry).

“My time at ֱ laid a solid foundation in critical thinking and laboratory skills, which are essential for my work today,” she said.

Catia Dombaxe
Cátia Dombaxe

Dombaxe did not slow down after graduating from MU in 2020. She earned a master’s degree in Biomedical/Medical Engineering from Cornell University in 2023 and is currently a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Cornell. Her research focuses on developing a new therapy for spinal cord injury (SCI), which has helped garner numerous awards and

“I work on a biomaterials approach to deliver regenerative proteins and enzymes that promote neutral recovery,” Dombaxe added. “Specifically, I’m exploring the use of a hydrogel system that releases proteins to foster axonal growth and prevent scar formation in mouse models of SCI. The aim is to create a supportive environment for recovery and improve SCI patient incomes through minimally invasive treatments.”

In the future, Dombaxe hopes to contribute to advancements in regenerative medicine and wants to make science more accessible to underserved communities that can help inspire the next generation of scientists. She also would like to establish a research initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa that addresses local healthcare challenges while creating educational and job opportunities in STEM.

Dombaxe is quick to credit her time in ֱ’s Chemistry program for the impressive start to her career.

Flexible and In-Demand

Dr. Stephanie Hooper Marosek works with Chemistry StudentsMU’s Chemistry on-campus program is offered as a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or minor with concentrations – a subject that naturally touches on a lot of areas.

“Chemistry is what you call the central science because without it, all of the other branches don’t exist since everything is made up of elements,” said Dr. Stephanie Hooper Marosek, Wyatt Professor of the Sciences and professor of Chemistry. “Chemistry puts an understanding to how different elements fit together and how things form to become living and non-living things. It helps us make improvements to certain materials that make them more cost effective, provides a better quality of life, and gives us a better understanding of our planet.”

The Chemistry degree leads to a variety of career and educational opportunities including becoming a pharmacist, lawyer, physician assistant, doctor, dentist, researcher, forensic scientist, and more.

“You’ll likely never want for a job as a chemist,” Hooper Marosek added. “There’s so much flexibility and people don’t realize all of the different things you can do with this degree. For example, this is a great degree for anyone interested in physician assistant studies or medical school.”

Sure enough, ֱ offers a master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies while the ֱ Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine hopes to welcome the first cohort in the summer of 2026 – pending approvals by both the LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education) and SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges).

A Personal Education

One of the reasons ֱ’s Chemistry program stands out among others in the region is the quality of education provided by the faculty.

“I’ve had a positive experience with the Chemistry program,” said Kathe Nelson, a senior majoring in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry who hopes to work in an environmental lab in the near future. “The program has amazing professors who care about their students and make this program amazing and enjoyable.”

Along with the small class sizes, students receive a wealth of knowledge from faculty with expertise in analytical chemistry, forensic science, environmental chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and physical chemistry.

“Dr. Hooper Marosek was incredibly influential,” said Dombaxe. “Her enthusiasm for chemistry and dedication to students had a profound impact on me. She went above and beyond to ensure we understood complex topics and encouraged me to think critically and independently. She is one of my role models.”

The Chemistry program features two concentrations: Biochemistry and Forensic Science (Chemistry).

Students work in Chemistry Lab“Forensic Science is geared towards students who have an interest in that particular field, which means they spend a lot of time with our wonderful Forensic Science program. It allows them to understand how to collect and analyze samples, while understanding some of the legal process,” said Hooper Marosek. “With Biochemistry, a lot of students pursue that concentration if they’re interested in the health sciences like medical school, physician assistant studies, pharmacy, and others.”

No matter the concentration, students are able to access a number of interesting and challenges courses.

“The Quantitative Analysis course with Dr. Hooper Marosek is by far my favorite course,” said senior Hope Stropoli, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and hopes to become a Chemistry professor herself one day. “The class sparked a love for analytical chemistry that I will definitely take into my future career. It’s teaching me how industry jobs work, the techniques used, and the instruments found in labs.”

For those interested in a pharmacy career, ֱ offers a unique partnership to students. In collaboration with Wingate University and High Point University, MU students who work towards their bachelor’s degree will also be able to complete prerequisite coursework requirements for the doctorate program at either of the two universities.

“A Strong Community”

Whether a student is considering a career in forensic science, the health sciences, or something else, ֱ’s Chemistry program is the perfect springboard to a variety of careers – just ask Dombaxe.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the supportive and close-knit environment at MU,” Dombaxe said. “The faculty genuinely cared about our growth, both academically and personally, which made a huge difference in my life. The resources and guidance I received helped me gain the confidence to pursue graduate studies at Cornell University. We truly had strong community.”

With ֱ’s rolling admissions deadlines, there is never a bad time to apply. Learn more or apply today by visiting the Chemistry program page.