Jen Heemstra
Charles Allen Thomas Professor and Chair of Chemistry in Arts & Sciences
Dr. Jennifer (Jen) Heemstra is fascinated by biomolecules. All forms of life – from microscopic bacteria to ourselves as complex humans – rely on specific interactions between proteins, nucleic acids, and other molecules in order to function. Dr. Heemstra and her research group seek to understand the function of these molecules and utilize their properties to address unmet needs in biomedicine and the environment. The interdisciplinary nature of their research has allowed the Heemstra lab to secure funding from multiple government agencies, including NIH, NSF, DARPA, DTRA, and ARO, as well as from private foundations. As an interdisciplinary teacher-scholar, Heemstra also teaches courses that explore new technologies at the interface of chemistry and biology and allow students to engage with cutting-edge research.
While Dr. Heemstra was initially attracted to the field of Chemistry by her fascination with the interactions between molecules, she is driven by a mission to create a healthier academic culture for current and future generations of STEM students. To this end, she is the co-founder of FLAMEnet, a nationwide research coordination network that aims to increase student thriving in undergraduate STEM by harnessing psychological frameworks such as belonging, mindset, coping, and fear of failure. She is also the co-creator of the #MentorFirst initiative, which promotes supportive and inclusive mentoring practices in research lab environments.
Dr. Heemstra earned a BS in Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She briefly worked as a medicinal chemist in industry before pursuing postdoctoral research at Harvard University. Dr. Heemstra and her spouse Dr. John Heemstra have two children and attend One Family Church. In her spare time, Dr. Heemstra enjoys running, cycling, and rock climbing.