Melanie Nilsson

• Associate Professor of Chemistry

As a first generation college student, I needed to work immediately after college. I accepted a position in the Medicinal Chemistry division of RTI International (a research-focused non-profit organization), but later decided to pursue a Ph.D. to expand my career opportunities. My Ph.D. research focused on diabetes, with a particular emphasis on the role of islet amyloid in the disease progression. I then moved to England to continue my diabetes research at the University of Oxford.

I joined the McDaniel College faculty and continued to conduct research into the causes and treatments of diabetes. Over the years, however, I was exposed to the inequities both within the scientific community and beyond. I began asking bigger questions, such as – what good is it to develop a new drug if those who need it most cannot afford it? Thus, my focus turned to issues of social responsibility, inclusivity, and interdisciplinary progress in science. I now work with students, collaborators, and members of the community to break down the silos between science, the arts, and the general public to promote a sustainable, innovative, and socially responsible climate for scientific and technological advancement.