Meet Our Faculty

Our department is dedicated to providing a supportive, rigorous and rewarding education community that will allow you to thrive. We are dedicated to chemistry, the central science, and to sharing our experience, knowledge and excitement with you. We come from diverse backgrounds, work together to cover all areas of chemistry and each bring a unique perspective to your education. We engage in research and are committed to exploring the unknown in chemistry with undergraduate research students.

Jessica Bocanegra

Lecturer, Department of Chemistry & Physics
Ph.D., University of Vermont; B.S., The College of New Jersey


Aren Gerdon

Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry, Vanderbilt University; B.A., Chemistry, Hanover College


Carley Henderson

Lecturer, Department of Chemistry and Physics
Ph.D., University of New Hampshire; B.A., Connecticut College


Juan Duchimaza Heredia

Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D., Iowa State University; B.S., Ithaca College


Nathanael Lau

Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D., University of California, Irvine; MA, Alliant International University; BS, California Institute of Technology


Allen Price

Chair, Department of Chemistry and Physics; Associate Professor of Physics
Ph.D., M.S., University of Washington; B.S., California Institute of Technology


Steven Scappaticci

Chemistry Lab Instructor
M.S.,Georgia Institute of Technology;  B.S., Fairfield University


Michelle Watt

Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D., University of Oregon; M.S., B.S., St. Louis University


Explore Emmanuel

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Research Spotlight: Searching for an Evolution Solution

Propelled by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, students and faculty in the Mathematics Department are studying the rate of evolution in spatially structured populations using evolutionary graph theory, which may inform the estimation of important events in our evolutionary past, such as when humans split from our closest primate relatives.

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Eileen Milien '22: A Career-Affirming CURE

When choosing a college, Eileen knew two things for sure—that she would be able to get to know her professors and peers and that she wanted to be in an area in which she would have myriad opportunities in the research and medicine.

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The Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA)

In a city known for innovation in healthcare, opportunities for Emmanuel students are bolstered by our location within the world-renowned Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA). With walking-distance access to cutting-edge scientific and medical institutions, ours is a neighborhood that stands hand-in-hand with the future.

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Jolie Erlacher ’19 Finds Purpose Counseling Those in Need

As early as her second year at Emmanuel College, Jolie Erlacher '19 discovered the power of networking, seeing firsthand how the connections she has made at Emmanuel-and then beyond-have affected the course of her academic and career trajectory, each opportunity opening a door to the next.

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Featured Faculty: Aren Gerdon

Professor Aren Gerdon is the Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics and an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Emmanuel College. He leads his own chemistry research group, focusing on biomaterials, and works closely with other research groups across campus. Professor Gerdon is passionate about sharing his deep knowledge of chemistry with his students, guiding them from class work to practical, real-world lab experiments.

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Emmanuel is a place where students broaden their sense of what’s possible and prepare for inspiring careers in an ever-changing world. Be here.