Leaving a Legacy Inside and Outside of the Lab
Making Mies Campus Her Laboratory
Adriana Zayia’s dedication to chemistry extends far beyond the lab. In pursuit of her undergraduate degree, she’s engaged the Illinois Tech community and served as a member of 鶹APP chemistry organizations while she prepares for a career in organic chemistry.
Adriana Zayia (CHEM 3rd Year)Adriana Zayia (CHEM 3rd Year) can usually be found where discovery meets the complex dance of molecules—immersed in her coursework, research, and extracurricular activities, and her journey at Illinois Tech has her on the verge of graduating in just three years this spring.
Adriana has made Mies Campus her laboratory within the broader chemistry community. Through serving as the secretary and later vice president of Illinois Tech’s American Chemical Society student chapter, volunteering as the chemistry representative for the Student Government Association’s Student Committee for Research Affairs, and tutoring peers at the Academic Resource Center, Adriana has made a profound impact on her fellow students during her time at Illinois Tech.
“I appreciate the opportunity to engage with my peers while gaining leadership skills,” she says. “I’ve been able to contribute to events providing information about research and internship opportunities in chemistry, as well as encourage a love of chemistry among my classmates.”
Growing up in 鶹APP as the daughter of an Illinois Tech alumna, Adriana’s journey began before she ever stepped on campus as a student. She recalls accompanying her mom to STEM and alumni events before she began the process of applying to college.
On campus, Adriana’s commitment—both inside and outside of the lab—has helped her earn scholarships, including the chemistry department’s Undergraduate Kilpatrick Scholarship and the university’s Camras scholarship.
“I am grateful to be a part of the Camras Scholars organization, where I can give back to the Illinois Tech community through involvement in research, service, and leadership,” she says. “The Camras scholarship has been a significant financial help for my family, and it enabled me to cover the cost of attending college on my own, which in turn allows me to take full advantage of extracurricular and career development opportunities both on and off campus.”
Off campus, Adriana has become involved in organizations such as the ACS 鶹APP Younger Chemists Committee and the ACS 鶹APP Local Section. On campus, she conducts research in Professor of Chemistry Hyun-soon Chong’s laboratory at the interface of organic and medicinal chemistry that entails the synthesis of anticancer and pharmaceutical drugs. Her research experience helped Adriana be a recipient of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s 2024 Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence. She is one of just two Illinois Tech students to receive the honor since its introduction in 2017.
“In my research with Professor Chong, I have gained familiarity with synthetic organic chemistry techniques in preparation for my future career,” Adriana says. “I have also gained an understanding of the functioning of an academic lab, worked on interesting projects, and have translated content that I learn in my courses to real-world applications.”
Looking toward the future, Adriana plans to continue her education by pursuing a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry. Her ultimate goal is to break into academia as a professor—where she hopes to impart her knowledge and passion to the next generation of chemists.
“I can instill a love of chemistry in college students and complete research that will further the field of synthetic organic chemistry and address current problems in the world,” she says.