Ana West, PhD

Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry (Physical Chemistry Division) from Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
• Postdoctoral Research Associate (Biomedical Engineering) from University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• NIH-INBRE Postdoctoral Fellow in Chemistry from New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM
• Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia

Teaching Experience
With over ten years of experience teaching introductory chemistry classes, Dr. West has taught at prestigious institutions such as Emory University, University of Georgia, Florida International University, Mercer University, and Kennesaw State University. Her teaching philosophy focuses on active learning and innovative instructional techniques to boost student engagement and understanding. Dr. West has also been actively involved in course coordination, curriculum development, and mentoring graduate teaching assistants to promote student success. Her main goal is to help early undergraduate students appreciate the relevance and complexity of chemistry, and she is eager to support them throughout their academic journeys. Whether majoring in chemistry or simply exploring the subject, she aims to ensure students have a rewarding and intellectually challenging experience in her courses.

Research Focus
Dr. West’s research interests revolve around self-assembled systems, membrane biophysics, and protein-lipid interactions, focusing on computational and theoretical approaches. Presently, she is investigating models for small-molecule drug design to hinder protein aggregation on membranes within the context of Parkinson’s Disease. Her previous research has been published in several reputable journals.

Curriculum Vitae pdf