What’s Next for Joyce Yoo ’26 Yoo, a chemistry major, will be attending Rice University to pursue a doctorate in chemistry.

By Kelsey Goodwin
July 9, 2026

Name: Joyce Yoo ’26

Major(s): Chemistry

Minor(s): Creative Writing

Hometown: Chino Hills, CA

What are your post-graduation plans?

I will be attending Rice University to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry.

What are some skills or lessons you will take from your academic experience into the professional world?

Most skills that I have learned through my classes and research experiences, like various organic lab techniques, are directly applicable to the next step in my career path as I continue to deepen my understanding of chemistry. On top of all the science-related skills gained at W&L, I will also bring the interpersonal skills that I learned throughout my academic experience into the professional world. This includes effective leadership skills that I have learned through being an organic chemistry lab teaching assistant, working as a community assistant for the Office of Housing and Residence Life, and holding leadership roles in campus organizations like Campus Kitchen and the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program. These experiences helped me learn how to be an effective leader who listens to different perspectives and communicates my ideas in a way that feels accessible to those both within and outside of my field.

How did your career plans evolve throughout your time at W&L? Did you always know what you wanted to do?

Coming into W&L, I knew that I wanted to do health-related research. While I always knew that I wanted to do research, I wasn’t sure how my interests in chemistry could apply to healthcare. Throughout my time at W&L, this connection became clearer to me, whether it was through conversations with faculty members and alumni or research experiences.

What was your favorite class? And is there one class that ended up changing your perspective or that really surprised you?

It’s hard for me to choose a favorite class because most classes that I took were memorable in their own way, but one that I really enjoyed was Biochemistry II with Dr. Kyle Friend. This course was designed different from most science courses as there was a heavier emphasis on staying up to date with the field and creating original research proposals. As someone interested in research, I appreciated this opportunity to learn how to critically read papers, identify existing gaps in science, and propose methods to address these gaps. Additionally, learning about grant writing and reviewing was valuable insight into a process that research scientists depend on.

A class that ended up changing my perspective is Professor Lesley Wheeler’s Poetry and Music course. Prior to this class, I never imagined picking up a creative writing minor because I was always into the sciences more than humanities. Initially taking this course to fulfill a foundation and distribution requirement, I ended up really enjoying the course and found myself taking two more poetry classes during the rest of my time at W&L.

Which faculty or staff member had the most impact on you, and what did you learn from them (either inside or outside the classroom)?

While I have gotten to know many faculty and staff members throughout the four years, Dr. Erin Gray has had the most impact on me during my time at W&L. Since I joined her lab during my first year, I have looked to her for advice both in and out of the lab. She has taught me almost everything I know about organic chemistry, including various lab techniques and concepts covered in class. I have also learned a lot about how to read and write like a chemist through working on posters and research reports throughout my time in the Gray Research Group. Dr. Gray has also taught me a lot about what chemistry looks like outside of the liberal arts college experience by taking me to the American Chemical Society Spring 2024 Meeting, connecting me to chemists around the country, and supporting me through the graduate school application process.

What were some key organizations/clubs/activities you were involved in at W&L and how did they shape your W&L experience?

Some key organizations and activities I was involved in at W&L were Campus Kitchen, the LEAD program, Greek life, ResLife, and the AIM program. All these organizations have helped me meet peers as well as faculty and staff members who have significantly impacted my life in the past four years. The mentors who helped me navigate my first few years, community members who taught me about both Lexington City and Rockbridge County, and the mentees who have helped me learn how to properly support others have all shaped me into who I am today. While I learned many skills through partaking in leadership positions on campus, the people I connected with through these organizations have allowed me to find my place on campus and create a space for others to do the same.

What internships or other summer experiences did you partake in, and how did those experiences shape you and your career plans?

Over the summer, I participated in various research experiences, including the Summer Research Scholars program on campus and similar off-campus opportunities. These experiences helped confirm my career goals and allowed me to explore how I can use my passion for chemistry to help both the scientific community as well as people in need of better healthcare.

How did the Office of Career and Professional Development support you, and which resources did you find most helpful?

The Office of Career and Professional Development supported me by helping me prepare for multiple applications. Whether it was interview preparation sessions or curriculum vitae review sessions, I found that having someone support me through the application process made it seem less intimidating and allowed me to feel more confident in my applications. I found the Career Fellows to be the most helpful resource especially because I always thought it was easier to ask a friend for help rather than set up an appointment with a professional I wasn’t familiar with. I also knew that my friends who were Career Fellows would review my application material in my best interest and without judgement.

Did you connect with alumni during your time at W&L? How did they help you on your path?

I have had a chance to connect with a lot of alumni during my time at W&L, whether it was through reaching out to them on platforms like LinkedIn or through on-campus alumni events like the annual Women in Leadership event or the Lettie Pate Evans Society luncheon. All the alumni I have connected with were super excited to hear about my experiences at W&L and the path that I was looking to take moving forward. They were always willing to share their own experiences and offer advice to help me navigate my next steps.

What’s been one of your favorite experiences over the last four years?

One of my favorite experiences over the last four years has been going to Washington, D.C. to watch “Stereophonic” with Holly Pickett [associate professor of English]. “Stereophonic” was a play that we read and studied in Professor Pickett’s Contemporary British and American Drama course that happened to be touring in D.C. a couple months after we discussed the work. Instead of having to organize independent trips to see this play, we were able to take a class field trip using funding from the school, which allowed us to get amazing seats for the full “Stereophonic” experience.

What’s your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment is having a paper published by the end of my time in the Gray Research Group. Our paper was officially published right after graduation, and it feels great to officially share what we have been working on with the world. It also shows how research builds upon the work of others, as my projects within the lab have been focused on investigating findings established by former group members. This publication that combines all our work together was a really great way to wrap up my time in the Gray Research Group.

How has studying the liberal arts at W&L shaped how you see the world?

Studying the liberal arts at W&L allowed me to study two seemingly unrelated disciplines: chemistry and creative writing. Through many writing workshops, I learned to write with my audience in mind as I took in feedback from my peers and professors. Though chemistry writing differs from my creative writing pieces, the skills that I learned carry over as effective writing ultimately needs to captivate an audience in either discipline. This cross-disciplinary training has helped me understand how to effectively communicate my work with a wide audience range, from friends and family to professionals in my field.

 What advice would you give to next year’s graduating class?

This last year will go fast, so be sure to do the things that you truly enjoy!

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