Chemistry

Our Graduates

Many La Roche Chemistry graduates have gone on to successful careers in commercial and research labs, while others have earned advanced degrees in their areas of specialization.

Our graduates have obtained positions in such areas as chemical analysis, food sciences and chemical plants. La Roche chemistry alumni have reached great heights - and here are just a few of the organizations at which our graduates are working:

Aristech Corporation
Ashland Oil
Dupont
Filmtronics Corporation
Kailua-Kona High School
Penreco/Pennzoil
Pharmacia & Upjohn
PPG Industries
Research Triangle Institute
Valvoline

Some graduates have pursued further education at these institutions, among other fine universities that you will see listed below:

Stanford University
University of Zagreb in Croatia
Duquesne University
Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine

OUR CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT GRADUATES FIND SUCCESS

A sampling of our graduates' achievements.

COLLEGE and UNIVERSITY POSITIONS:

Marija Vrljic, B.S. in Chemistry and Biology, 1997
Ph.D. from Stanford University (2004)
Currently post-doctoral at Stanford

Vladimir Filkov, B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science, 1997
Ph.D. from SUNY-Stony Brook
Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of California

Jennifer Rush Bennett, B.S. in Chemistry and Biology, 1997
Ph.D. from Duquesne University (2005)
Currently the von Liebig Scholar in Biology: Juniata College

PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS:

Rebecca Bozym, B.S. in Chemistry, 2001
Ph.D. from University of Maryland (2006)
Her doctoral dissertation on a novel method for determining intracellular zinc concentrations using fluorescence techniques received national recognition; currently working as a chemist

Nicole Jones, B.S. in Chemistry and Biology, 2003
D.V.M. from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine
Currently practicing veterinary medicine in Harmony, Pa.

Benjamin Orndoff, B.S. in Chemistry, 1997
Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, 2001

INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL LABORATORY POSITIONS:

Jonathan Bennett, B.S. in Chemistry, 1995
Laboratory Director, Filmtronics, Inc.

Rijad Konjhodzic, B.S. in Chemistry and Biology, 1998
Director of two DNA Laboratories in Bosnia and Herzegovina
DNA Laboratory Director, International Commission on Missing Persons, Sarajevo

Lance Rogers, B.S. in Chemistry, 1999
Chemist at Pfizer, Inc.

Clayton Rozic, B.S. in Chemistry, 1999
Chemist at Penreco/Pennzoil

Joshua Koon, B.S. in Chemistry, 2003
Product Formulations Chemist
Syngenta Corporation, North Carolina

Randy Scanga, B.S. in Chemistry, 2006
Synthetic Organic Chemist and NMR Spectroscopist
Raindance Technologies, Boston

Brandon Pastore, B.S. in Chemistry, 1999
Analytical Chemist
Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, N.Y.

Kristine Baker, B.S. in Chemistry, 2003
Chemist at Valvoline

Katherine Reiser, B.S. in Chemistry, 2004
Chemist at R.J. Lee Chemicals

Benjamin Kabugambe, B.S. in Chemistry, 2004
Chemist at PPG Industries

Akram Al-Mazaqi, B.S. in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, 2005
Engineer for Weatherford International

Rachael Yoest, B.S. in Chemistry, 2005
Analytical Chemist at PPG Industries, Allison Park, Pa.
Master's Degree Pursuit, Carnegie Mellon University

Andres Ntutumu Ndong, B.S. in Chemistry, 2006
Production Chemist for Exxon-Mobil Corporation in Equatorial Guinea

SECONDARY EDUCATION POSITIONS:

Michael Blanteno, B.S. in Chemistry, 1997
Red Lion Area High School, York , Pa.

Rosemary Bartoszewicz, B.S. in Chemistry Education, 2001
Pine Richland High School, Gibsonia , Pa.

Michael Houston, B.S. in Chemistry Education, 2004
Riverside High School, Riverside , Pa.

John Milcic, Chemistry Education, 2004
Taylor Allderdice High School, Pittsburgh

Linda Cessar, Chemistry Education, 2006
Providence Heights Alpha School, Pittsburgh

GRADUATE STUDENTS IN CHEMISTRY:

Richard Pearsall, B.S. in Chemistry, 2003
Duquesne University

Amani Batarseh, B.S. in Chemistry, 2004
Georgetown University - Biochemistry

Jeff Gensamer, B.S. in Chemistry Education, 2000
Carnegie Mellon University

Benjamin Kabagambe, B.S. in Chemistry, 2004
Master's Degree, University of Pittsburgh
Employed at PPG Industries, Allison Park, Pa.

Yohani Kayinamura, B.S. in Chemistry, 2004
Georgetown University - Analytical Chemistry
Founder, Umuryango in Rwanda

Sylvere Sirikare, B.S. in Chemistry, 2004
Master's Degree, University of Pittsburgh

Eugene Nshimiyimana, B.S. in Chemistry, 2004
Bowling Green State University - Polymer Science

Sylvestre Twagirayesu, B.S. in Chemistry, 2004
Master's Degree, Case Western Reserve University - Medicinal Chemistry

Charles Manzi-Nshuti, B.S. in Chemistry, 2004
Marquette University - Synthetic Organic Chemistry Research

Mary Crosby, B.S. in Chemistry, 2005
University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering

Jean-Claude Rwigema, B.S. in Chemistry, 2005
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Co-op Student of the Year 2006 - Pitt

Danielle Dunbar-Tate, B.S. in Chemistry, 2006
Duquesne University

Jason Lupoi, B.S. in Chemistry, 2007
Iowa State University - Analytical Chemstry

Kristen Kruszewski, B.S. in Chemistry, 2008
Duquesne University