A Curious Mind

Chemistry major Tiffany Robinson has had an appreciation for learning about science-related topics since her youth. Her interest in her area of study stems from a class she took in the eighth grade.

“I was so fascinated with a lab we did in my chemistry class where we placed different compounds in a flame, which produced a wide range of colors,” Robinson said. “It sparked my curiosity since I couldn’t necessarily see what chemical process was happening to change the color of the flame. It was mysterious and magical to me at the time.”

This fascination continued throughout high school as Robinson recounts two “memorable moments.” Two years after witnessing the process with the flame, she was in the chemistry lab when she and her peers “gold plated” a penny, and in her biology class, Robinson and her lab partners grew green, fluorescent E. coli. 

Passionate, driven, disciplined, and capable

This month, Robinson graduates from California Lutheran University, and over the last four years, she has discovered many things about herself. 

“I’ve learned that I’m passionate, driven, disciplined, and capable of achieving what I set a goal for,” Robinson said. “I’ve been able to develop confidence in myself and my abilities and have a clearer view of what my purpose and goals are. I’ve also learned that I am an extremely curious person who thrives in an environment where I constantly learn.”

During her time at Cal Lutheran, Robinson appeared on the Dean’s List every semester, and in 2022, she received Departmental Distinction in Chemistry. 

Several faculty members in STEM subjects at Cal Lutheran have played key roles in Robinson’s academic success. She cites Grady Hanrahan, PhD, Kate Hoffmann, PhD, and Jason Kingsbury, PhD, from the chemistry department; Nathan Carlson, PhD, and Christopher Brown, PhD, from the math department; Associate Professor of Physics Mary Oksala, PhD; and Assistant Professor of Biology and Biochemistry Coordinator Michael Abdelsayed, PhD, for having a beneficial impact on her studies.

“All of these professors are so kind and engaging during class, and their enthusiasm inspires me and makes learning such a positive and exciting experience. I love the quantitative analysis/chemical instrumentation lab with Dr. Hoffmann because we apply chemistry and instrumentation in ways I’ve never done before, such as finding how much caffeine is in a can of Mountain Dew," Robinson said. "I also love biochemistry with Dr. Abdelsayed. He always says that ‘biochemistry just makes sense,’ and I completely agree. His class and teaching style are so intuitive that it felt like I was learning something I’ve known forever.”

Last summer, Robinson applied the knowledge she gained in her STEM coursework to a research project she completed under Hanrahan’s tutelage. She built an optimized artificial neural network, a subset of machine learning which imitates the brain’s physiology, to accurately predict the chemical toxicity of more than a dozen natural medicines and herbal remedies. She refers to the time she engaged in this project for which she received a John Stauffer Research Fellowship, as “a period of growth.”

“I am tremendously grateful for his guidance and support,” Robsinson said regarding Hanrahan’s mentorship.

Robinson’s project, entitled “Metabolic Elucidation and Chemical Toxicity Modeling of Natural Medicines and Herbal Remedies,” received an Undergraduate Research Achievement Award through the College of Arts and Sciences’ Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship. It also taught Robinson about the intricacies involved in undertaking research as well as new skills.

“I learned the importance of a literature review and that even if you think you’re done finding background information, you probably should look for additional information just a bit more. I also learned that research is an ongoing process even throughout experiments - there were many times I had a set method but then had to modify it and re-run the experiment to improve the results.”

Robinson calls learning about the mathematical concepts involved in creating artificial neural networks “one of the most exciting aspects of my project.”

“It was a complex but elegant connection I was able to see between chemistry, computer programming, and math. It was so cool how the knowledge and skills I already had could be applied and developed to work on this project,” Robinson said.

Other gratifying aspects of the project for Robinson included compiling and analyzing the data involved and sharing her research with others.

“Whether it was through poster sessions or just in conversation, it was very rewarding to be able to teach someone else about my project and pique their interest in the topic as well,” Robinson said.

Robinson's diligence gave her an off-campus opportunity to showcase her work: she presented her research poster at the American Chemical Society conference in Indianapolis this March, which she describes as “exciting and fulfilling.”

Managing her time

Although her full course load in chemistry and her minor in mathematics have kept her busy, Robinson has maintained an active schedule with extracurricular activities and work. She serves as co-president of two campus-based clubs, the CLU ACS Chemistry Club and Physician Assistant Student Club, where she imparts her insights to fellow students.

“I love being able to bring students together and make new like-minded friends in these clubs and pass down advice that either I’ve been given or from my own experiences going through college,” Robinson said. 

On campus, Robinson works at the circulation desk in the Pearson Library and serves as a department assistant for chemistry, where she tutors peers and works in the chemical stockroom. She does private tutoring as well in math and chemistry for middle school, high school, and college students. Robinson admits she has experienced burnout and time management issues with her bustling schedule while trying to also participate in hobbies and maintain a social life. She manages this by keeping a daily routine, organizing her calendar, and having “an amazing Spotify playlist that puts me in a productive mood.d

“I’ve also overcome these challenges by listening to what my body and brain need – I prioritize mental and physical health by going to the gym and resting when I need to!” Robinson said. 

After she earns her degree, Robinson will embark on her doctorate this fall and study chemical biology at UCLA; then she plans to complete post-doctoral fellowships in order to gain more experience in the field. Her extracurricular activities have ignited her interest to work in higher education.

“I’m passionate about mentoring and tutoring, so I plan to focus on a career in academia, but I am open to working in industry as well,” Robinson said.

Robinson’s family and ancestry play an integral part in her life. Her grandmother, Ana, serves as a source of inspiration for her achievements. 

“My grandmother was an important figure in my life, raising me from a young age. As I’ve grown up, she has always supported my pursuit of higher education, especially in the chemistry field,” Robinson said. “Immigrating to the U.S. allowed her to provide my mom and me with lots of educational and career opportunities, so I feel I am making her wish for a great life for her children come true.” 

“I want to proudly represent my Filipino heritage and hope to make my grandma proud of all I’ve accomplished,” Robinson said.