Alumni and Friends

Laura earned her BS in Chemistry from the University of Costa Rica in 1991 and her PhD in Chemistry from Michigan Technological University in 1995. She was awarded a 3-year NIH grant to conduct research at Carnegie Mellon University. Next, she dedicated 9 years studying the biology of Zaire Ebola virus infection. From 1999 to 2003, she worked at the NIH, studying possible therapies for Ebola virus infection. In 2003, . . .

Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, John Christianson grew up blocks from Lambeau Field during the Lombardi Glory Years which instilled in him a love of sports and competition. He graduated from Green Bay Southwest High School with high honors, while playing on the tennis team, participating in newspaper and forensics, and tutoring his classmates in chemistry, physics and calculus, foreshadowing his eventual career choice. . . .

From "The Chemistry of Teaching: Modic ’84 Earns National Recognition," Michigan Tech Alumni and Friends Stories, May 2025 Like any successful chemical reaction, great teaching requires the right elements. For Amiee (Larchar) Modic ’84 (BS Chemistry), recipient of the 2025 James Bryant Conant Award in High School Chemistry Teaching, those elements include authenticity, enthusiasm, and a spark of inspiration. . . .