2022 Incoming Grad Series: Kyle Brown

THE STORY

I am from Oktaha, Oklahoma and grew up on a ranch in eastern Oklahoma raising sheep. I attended Northeastern State University in the capital of the Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where I studied Biochemistry. I'll be joining the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, with the intent to focus into organic chemistry and synthesis and working towards a PhD in Chemistry.

I grew up always interested in the sciences, which was odd for me growing up in the rural South, where I did not have as many opportunities to explore STEM fields as students in more urban states or cities. That changed a little in high school where the curriculum was more autonomous, and I could select more advanced topics. I originally decided to pursue Optometry in college, especially considering Northeastern has one of the best Optometry colleges in the South. But I participated in a summer internship with a professor and really discovered my love for chemistry and the lab in those couple of months.

WHY UCSB

I chose UCSB because this was the alma mater of my research advisor, Jessica Martin. She always talked about how great her time was here, and I'm a skeptic so I figured I'd see for myself. I also have similar research interests to several faculty members within the biochemistry and organic chemistry fields. And of course, who could forget that it's a college on the beach: of course I'll trade humid Oklahoma for that!

RESEARCH INTERESTS

During my time at Northeastern State University I did several years of research on a type of bacterial molecule, called a siderophore ("iron carrier" in Greek), that strongly binds to iron and other metals, like copper. Siderophores come in many shapes, as many bacteria have their own unique siderophore structure. My previous research only involved characterization of these molecules, but my future goals are in artificial synthesis of siderophores and the possible polymerization of certain structures to aid in toxic metal removal from water sources.

FUN FACTS

I am, in my modest opinion, a pretty competent and competitive strategist when it comes to any type of board game or D&D session. I grew up on a farm but definitely prefer to stay in and game with friends. I also love classical music, specifically from the late-Romantic period. Erik Satie is my favorite composer with Liszt as a close second. I will gladly take any and all old music suggestions from any genre. Also if you know who Édith Piaf is we should be friends.