After graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2022, Emma Bouchard completed a prestigious two-year fellowship at the Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, where she played a key role in automating high-throughput enzyme inhibition assays and integrating advanced computational techniques, including protein-ligand docking, pharmacophore modeling, and machine learning.
Currently conducting research in Isayev’s lab at Carnegie Mellon, Bouchard is advancing the intersection of computational chemistry and drug discovery through innovative AI applications.
Reflecting on her time at IUP, Bouchard credits the university’s faculty and research opportunities for shaping her scientific career. Under the mentorship of Majumdar, she honed her laboratory skills and developed a deep appreciation for research. Villiemain’s guidance helped her explore computational drug design, while LeBlond’s passion for medicinal chemistry instilled in her a commitment to applying research to real-world challenges.
“IUP provided the foundation that allowed me to grow as a scientist,” Bouchard said. “Without my experiences there, I wouldn’t be where I am today, nor feel as confident in my future career.” As she continues her research at Carnegie Mellon, Bouchard remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of AI-driven chemical discovery, demonstrating the lasting impact of an IUP education.