Marisa Kozlowski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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| Alma mater | Cornell University University of California, Berkeley |
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| Institutions | University of Pennsylvania Harvard University |
| Thesis | Inhibition studies of three related chorismate-utilizing enzymes : Rigid tendamistat mimics as a-amylase inhibitors (1994) |
Marisa C. Kozlowski (born in 1967) is an American chemist. She is a Professor of Organic and Catalysis Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. Her work focuses on creating new chemical reactions. She also develops special tools called catalysts. These catalysts help make chemical reactions happen faster and more efficiently.
Professor Kozlowski was recognized for her important work. She became a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2012. She was also named a Fellow of the American Chemical Society in 2013.
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Early Life and Education
Marisa Kozlowski was born in Hamburg. She grew up in a town called Liverpool, New York. From a young age, she was interested in science. She decided to study chemistry at Cornell University.
After college, she moved to California. There, she continued her studies at the University of California, Berkeley. She joined a research group led by Paul Bartlett. During her studies, she noticed that there were not many women professors in science. This inspired her to work even harder.
Her early research looked at how to design "enzyme inhibitors." Enzymes are like tiny helpers in our bodies. They speed up chemical reactions. Inhibitors are molecules that can slow down or stop these enzymes. This research is important for developing new medicines.
After finishing her studies, she moved to Harvard University. She worked as a postdoctoral researcher with David A. Evans. This experience helped her learn more about organic synthesis. Organic synthesis is the process of building complex chemical molecules from simpler ones.
Amazing Chemistry Research
In 1997, Professor Kozlowski joined the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania. She quickly became a respected professor of chemistry. Her research group explores new ways to create chemical reactions.
One of her main areas of study is "asymmetric synthesis." Imagine you have two molecules that are mirror images of each other, like your left and right hands. They look similar but are not exactly the same. In chemistry, sometimes only one of these "hand" forms works as a medicine. Asymmetric synthesis helps chemists make only the correct "hand" form. This is very important for making safe and effective drugs.
She also works on developing new "catalysts." Catalysts are substances that speed up chemical reactions without being used up themselves. Think of them as chemical matchmakers. They help molecules find each other and react faster. Her team tries to make catalysts that are affordable and work very well.
Professor Kozlowski's team uses computers in their research. They have created special computer programs. These programs use "machine learning" to understand chemical reactions better. Machine learning is like teaching a computer to learn from data. The programs also use "electronic structure calculations." This helps them predict how atoms and molecules will behave. By using these tools, they can design new ways to make chemicals more efficiently.
Her work helps make chemistry more precise and environmentally friendly. It also speeds up the discovery of new materials and medicines.
Leading in Chemistry
Professor Kozlowski is also a leader in the world of chemistry publishing. In 2013, she became an associate editor for The Journal of Organic Chemistry. This is a very important science magazine. In 2021, she was chosen to be the editor-in-chief of Organic Letters. This means she helps decide which new chemistry discoveries get published for other scientists to read.
Awards and Honors
Professor Kozlowski has received many awards for her important contributions to chemistry:
- 1998 DuPont Young Investigator Award
- 2001 National Science Foundation CAREER Award
- 2002 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship
- 2002 American Cancer Society Beginning Research Scholar Award
- 2010 Philadelphia Organic Chemists’ Club Award
- 2012 Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
- 2013 Elected Fellow of the American Chemical Society
- 2021 Appointed Editor-in-Chief of Organic Letters
Selected Publications
