B.S. Chemistry with ACS Certification, Dickerson College
B.A. Art & Art History with a concentration in Studio Art

My name is Emma Rizzella-Roberts, and I am a master student who is pursuing Environmental and Forest Chemistry at SUNY ESF. 

I graduated from Dickinson College with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Studio Art. The exposure to the arts and sciences allowed me to develop creative growth and flexibility and instilled a desire to explore chemistry through environmental applications. 

In studio art classes, I often worked with oil paints and mineral spirits that contained toxic chemicals with adverse effects on aquatic environments. The interaction between organisms and metal pollutants from art media directed my interests towards concepts in organometallics and biochemistry. 

Starting in my sophomore year, I worked as a research assistant in an organic chemistry lab, where I was introduced to biochemical and analytical processes involved in cancer research. While working in the lab, I engineered the selectivity between mutant protein fragments, extending my experience in bacteria synthesis and protein interactions. My research culminated in an oral dissemination at the Intercollegiate Student Chemists Convention. 

As my understanding of enzymatic behavior, heavy metals, and biocatalysis expanded, I became curious in the movement of anthropogenic pollutants within aquatic and terrestrial environments. As I begin my research, I am excited to connect my knowledge in biochemistry and art to the interactions between microplastics, heavy metals and microbial communities. 

During my free time, I enjoy drawing, painting, reading science fiction books, and planning out DnD campaigns.