Organic Chemistry of Life

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.

After earning bachelor's degrees in chemistry and classics from the University of Kentucky, Brandon Conley came to Boston to study organic chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where his passion for teaching truly ignited. Subsequently, he studied the classical literature and poetry of Japan in the Regional Studies, East Asia Master's program at Harvard University, where he also served as teaching fellow and instructor in organic chemistry at the College and Extension School for six years. In 2013, he relocated to the west coast to study pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, and drug metabolism at the University of California, San Francisco's School of Pharmacy, where he soon became heavily involved in teaching and curriculum development. As of spring 2017, Conley is back at Harvard and is thrilled to be involved with developing and teaching new courses at the Extension School.