Michael W. Amolins

Michael is a 2007-2011 Self Fellow pursuing a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry. He received a B.S. (2007) summa cum laude in chemistry and minors in music and mathematics from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. While at Augustana, he played saxophone in college-affiliated and professional music ensembles, and held leadership positions with the student chapter of the American Chemical Society and with the Augustana Band and Northlanders Jazz Ensemble. He received an Augustana Presidential Scholarship, a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, and numerous other academic honors as an undergraduate. Michael has spent time as a research assistant at Augustana College, Argonne National Laboratory, and Purdue University, and has presented that research both nationally and internationally. In 2005 he presented a poster at the International Green Chemistry Summer School in Venice, Italy, where he was the only undergraduate and only American to attend. Michael’s current work at KU involves the development and synthesis of novel anti-cancer drugs from natural products. He intends to pursue a career in cancer studies that focuses on drug design and synthesis. Mentor:  Brian S. J. Blagg, Associate Professor, Medicinal Chemistry