Zach Firestein 

B.S. Chemistry, University of California - Berkley, 2020

Originally from suburban Los Angeles, Zach attended the University of California, Berkeley and received a B.S. in Chemistry. While at Berkeley, he conducted research on protein dynamics and kinetic activation of enzymatic catalysis under the direction of Professor Judith Klinman. He also studied chemical education pedagogy in organic chemistry under the direction of Professor Anne Baranger. In 2020, Zach left the Bay Area for the Midwest to begin his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Illinois. In the White Group, he works on stereoselective functionalization of palladium pi-allyls to form medicinally relevant heterocycles. Outside of the lab, he enjoys reading, gaming, traveling, and spending time with his family.

 

Fun Facts

​

• As a former professional chef, Zach enjoys most cooking and baking shows such as the Great British Bake Off (although he misses Mary Berry)
   

• A fan of Roman history, modern art, and the metafictional conceits of David Foster Wallace
   

• Could be famous on Twitter but is worried about being upstaged by his cat