Intensive Organic Chemistry

Sirinya Matchacheep is a Lecturer on chemistry and the Director of Introductory Undergraduate Laboratories. Matchacheep earned her bachelor's degree from Cornell University, where she double majored in chemistry and biological sciences, and a PhD in chemistry from Harvard University. In her doctorate work, she performed organic synthesis of a small molecule library and screened it for biological activity. A few of her compounds have been studied for their effectiveness in combating the hepatitis C virus. During her graduate studies, she served as a resident tutor in Dunster House, where she discovered her passion for advising undergraduate students. Prior to her current position to oversee the operation of the chemistry undergraduate labs, she was a premedical/pre-health advisor for Harvard College and Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences students. In her spare time, she enjoys playing piano, gardening, traveling, and photography.

Peter Hamel has been a member of the teaching staff for the Harvard Summer School course Chemistry S-20ab every summer since 2001. He teaches chemistry at Newton North High School in Newton, MA, and holds a BA in chemistry from Harvard College and an MA in science education from Western Governors University.