Research Rookies Student Profiles

Name: Zachary Lazowski

Cohort: Freshman Research Rookie

Major: Chemistry & Biochemistry

Hometown: DeKalb, Illinois

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Timothy Hagen

Freshman Zachary Lazowski is destroying stereotypes as he builds molecules. Zachary is a gay male, who is as passionate about breaking the stereotypes of homosexuality as he is about doing his research and becoming a pharmacist. And, by working in a research lab in a hard science field, Zachary hopes to deter some of the modern stereotypes of gay men.

Zachary’s interest in pharmacy was peaked during high school when his stepmother and stepsister moved in with his family. His stepsister has Type 1 diabetes, so Zachary quickly learned about the condition and how to take care of her. From that point on, he has been interested in learning about medications and how they work in the human body.

Zachary is working with Dr. Hagen, whom he greatly respects. They are currently researching different analogs or forms of an enzyme inhibitor that is often affected in malaria and other infectious diseases.  In creating these analogs, Zachary and Dr. Hagen are trying to produce a more effective form of the inhibitor, which would more productively battle the diseases. If this project is successful, it could bring the scientific community one step closer to creating a drug that could be administered to patients who are fighting malaria and other infectious diseases.

Research has always been an interest of Zachary’s, which he knew would help him toward becoming a pharmacist. He loves having the opportunity to discover something new and be at the forefront of modern medicine. Zachary said it best when summarizing his Research Rookies project, “Since it is in my interest to study and discover drugs, this project is giving me a head start to pursue one of my most prized goals.  I love to help people and this is my way of helping - utilizing my passion and skills in chemistry to create therapies for people, so they can go and live out their lives to the fullest.”

Zachary on what being a Research Rookie means: “Being a Research Rookie means I will have an advantage.  I will get to see what real-world applications are involved with my major and not just made-up, ideal problems from a Chemistry book.”