A Multidisciplinary Point of View
Emma Farrell
Doctoral Student
Chemistry Department
While some people look at the world through rose-colored glasses, Emma Farrell’s are multicolored. A doctoral student in chemistry whose undergraduate degree is in biology, Farrell is predisposed to multidisciplinary research, approaching problems and solutions and life, in general, from a multifaceted viewpoint.
It’s no surprise, therefore, that research she is conducting through the Florida Center of Excellence-Biomolecular Identification and Targeted Therapeutics (FCoE-BITT) uncovering the biosynthetic pathway of fatty acid amides, finds her in both chemistry and biology labs. This unique experience will provide her with the foundation to reach her career goals: to share her passion for science and multidisciplinary research as a university professor.
Farrell is the recipient of a scholarship for graduate students that promotes research across disciplinary lines. These innovative projects possess the capacity to provide students with master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation topics and data while simultaneously affording publication opportunities and valuable work experience.
Farrell divides her time between both the biology and the chemistry science labs. She analyzes chemical reactions in the chemistry lab and studies gene expression and DNA sequencing in the biology lab to determine how certain signaling molecules are created in the body. Doing so would enable researchers to identify drug targets to help combat illness.
Farrell’s research has earned her awards from several prestigious organizations including the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship. She has presented her work at national forums, and has co-authored a scholarly article with David Merkler, USF chemistry professor on the biosynthesis, degradation and pharmacological importance of fatty acid amides in drug discovery.
“My goal is to use the multidisciplinary philosophy in solving complex research problems, which is a more holistic approach, and to inspire future students with this approach,” says Farrell. “I hope to continue to cross disciplinary boundaries in my future work, which this unique research opportunity has helped inspire.”
-- Mary Beth Erskine, University Communications & Marketing