Susan Ramos-Hunter ’10, Ph.D., grew up in the northern California town of Placerville, amidst the rural rolling hills and oaks of the Sierra foothills. Initially studying at Rogue Community College to earn credits and save money, Susan came to SOU at age twenty-one as a non-traditional student. “I connected with Dr. Mark Krause in the psychology department as a teacher and human being. He had me involved with the psychology honor society, Psi Chi, which gave me the opportunity to meet people, fellow majors and students from other universities,” she said. “The volunteer aspect of it all was a good fit for me.”

During her junior year she became involved in the Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program. The McNair program provides tools for non-traditional and underrepresented minorities entering graduate level education. “I had no history in my family of any graduate studies or degrees so connecting with Dr. Dee Southard, who headed our McNair program, I began to diversify my academic load and take more science courses and grew to really enjoy them,” said Susan. By her senior year she had finished her core psychology courses and took as many biology and chemistry courses as she could, finding a particularly love of organic chemistry in Dr. Hala Schepmann’s series of classes.

In June of 2010, Susan earned her bachelor of science in psychology with a minor in chemistry. “I felt so privileged and proud to graduate that day. I was so excited for my future.” Susan recalled. In the fall of 2010, Susan entered an accelerated chemistry masters and doctorate program at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. She completed the doctoral program in organic synthesis and chemical biology in 2016.

Susan began her professional scientific career for the Department of Energy at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA. Later, she became the senior scientist at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals in Madison, WI, researching oligonucleotide therapeutics. Recently, she accepted the role of senior scientist in oligonucleotide discovery chemistry at Entrada Therapeutics in Boston, MA. “I often recall on my undergraduate chemistry courses for even daily tasks! I didn’t appreciate how well-prepared I was for industry with the chemistry training at SOU.” As a senior scientist at Entrada, Susan is a part of a team synthesizing cutting edge bio-therapeutics, collectively working towards a cure for Duchene Muscular Dystrophy.

“I didn’t have the opportunity to take advanced placement courses in high school so it was a challenge for me to dive into science as an undergrad. But in the chemistry program at SOU, I found my happy land even though I was a psychology major. I felt right at home, challenged, and respected for my journey despite being a non-traditional student. I’ll always be grateful for my time in Ashland and my mentors on the SOU campus.”