Duke University
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
In progress · Focus on medicinal & computational chemistry
Duke University · B.S.
Lucas Rodriguez
Chiappetta
Chemistry Student · Medicinal Chemistry & Computational Drug Design
Bridging computational modeling and experimental chemistry to advance therapeutic discovery.
About
Research-driven chemist, computational by training.
I am a prospective Chemistry B.S. student at Duke University and an NCSSM graduate focused on the intersection of pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and computational modeling. My work centers on structure-based drug design—from in silico hit identification through synthesis and biochemical validation.
I am motivated by translational research: designing molecules that meaningfully improve existing therapeutics and using computational tools to accelerate the process. I move comfortably between computational software and wet-lab experimentation, and I believe the most interesting chemistry lies at the intersection of the two.
FocusMedicinal Chemistry
MethodsComputation + Experimental
StageUndergraduate Researcher
GoalGraduate / MD-PhD
Education
Academic foundation.
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
NCSSM Graduate
Durham, NC
Experience
Research, teaching, and mentorship.
Student Researcher — Cancer Biology
May 2026 — Aug 2026Wake Forest School of Medicine
Translational cancer biology research investigating molecular pathways and small-molecule modulators of tumor cell viability through lipid nanoparticle drug delivery.
Student Researcher — Medicinal Chemistry
Jan 2025 — May 2026North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Structure-based design and synthesis of DHFR inhibitors, integrating molecular docking with bench-scale medicinal chemistry workflows.
Lecturer in Computational Chemistry
Aug 2026 — May 2026North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Lead instruction on quantum chemistry software (Gaussian 16, WebMO, MOPAC) and computational modeling techniques for undergraduates.
Research in Chemistry Teaching Assistant
Jan 2026 — May 2026North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Guided peers in navigation of independent research projects, providing 1-on-1 assistance in literature review, project development & proposal.
Residential Life Assistant
Aug 2026 — May 2026North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Supported residential community programming, mentorship, and student wellbeing initiatives.
Skills
Computational and experimental toolkit.
Computational Chemistry
Schrödinger MaestroMolecular DockingVirtual ScreeningGaussian 16WebMOMOPAC
Wet Lab Chemistry
Small Molecule SynthesisOrganic SynthesisEnzymatic AssaysCytotoxicity TestingProtein PurificationThin-Layer Chromatography
Research
Selected projects.
Active and recent work spanning structure-based drug design, quantum-chemical analysis, and protein biochemistry.
01 / 03
Profluoracil
DHFR Inhibitor for Psoriasis Treatment
Structure-based design, synthesis, and biochemical evaluation of a novel DHFR inhibitor with improved therapeutic index over methotrexate.
View projectComputationalMedicinal ChemistryIn Vitro
02 / 03
Sulfanilamide Conformers
Effects of C–N Dihedral Rotation on Stability
Mapped how rotation around the C-N bond affects molecular stability in sulfanilimide, using semi-empirical and DFT energy calculations to build a full picture of the dihedral energy landscape.
View projectComputationalQuantum Chemistry
03 / 03
Tyrosinase Characterization
Protein Purification and Enzymatic Profiling
Isolated and purified tyrosinase by chromatographic separation, then verified purity and enzyme activity through SDS-PAGE and kinetic assays.
View projectExperimentalBiochemistry
Conferences & Presentations
Honors, talks, and recognitions.
A selection of conferences presented at and honors awarded across research competitions and symposia.
State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS)
2025Presentation
Duke National Health and Research Conference (DNHRC)
2026Presentation
Schrödinger's Molecules & Models Undergraduate Science Fair
2026Finalist
North Carolina International Science Challenge
2026WINNER
The North Carolina Science & Engineering Fair
2026Second Place Overall
NCSSM Departmental Award for Excellence in Chemistry — Individual
2026Winner · Scholar (selected 1 out of 640)
Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar
2026Winner
Heureka Science Center, Vantaa, Finland
2026Presentation & Exhibition
Contact