Grad's journey from ASU to the frontiers of biochemistry and beyond

By Rachel Turay

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2024 graduates.

There was no singular moment of inspiration that sparked Chloe Leff’s academic journey, but rather a lifelong fascination with science, math and the mysteries of medicine. 

Graduating in May with dual degrees — a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and a Bachelor of Science in molecular biosciences and biotechnology — from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Leff has harnessed her long standing curiosity to strategically position herself at the intersection of cutting-edge research and medical advancements.

Growing up in a family of Sun Devils in Chandler, Arizona, it was no great shock Leff chose to attend ASU. Though the Barrett, The Honors College student was ultimately surprised at the diversity and breadth of the scientific community at the university.

Working in Assistant Professor Rizal Fajar Hariadi’s research lab in the Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Leff gained first-hand research experience as well as exposure to fields outside her own, which highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of modern scientific inquiry and gave her an appreciation for  the passionate endeavors of her colleagues.

As she prepares to embark on the next stage of her academic journey — pursuing a PhD in cellular and molecular biology with a concentration in gene therapy and vaccines at the University of Pennsylvania — she reflects on the lessons she’s learned, the memories she’ll cherish and shares words of advice. 

Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

Answer: I think one of the things that surprised me most while at ASU, specifically upon joining Dr. Hariadi's research lab, is how diverse and vast the scientific research community is. There are so many brilliant people working on a huge variety of research projects, and I really appreciated getting to enter that rich community and gain exposure to the many fields and subfields of research. It has been especially fascinating to hear about my peers' work in fields outside of my own because getting to hear them speak passionately about their research and see new ways in which science is interacting with and improving the world is an incredible opportunity. 

Q: Who taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?

A: I don't know that there was one specific person who taught me this lesson, but I think the most important lesson I've learned while at ASU is how valuable it is to ensure that you have a great balance between the different parts of your life. It is a lesson I'm still trying to put into practice, but keeping a good balance between your work, your social life, the time you spend on health and fitness, and all the other things that demand your attention is so important to ensuring that you are a happy and healthy person with the capability to succeed in each area of your life. Of course, that balance is flexible and sometimes one sector will demand more of your time than others, but I think that learning to prioritize that work-life balance has been a key lesson that I've learned during my time at ASU and will be important for me to continue to implement as I head towards the next chapters of my life. 

Q: How did you end up working on a team that is part of the Biodesign Institute?

A: I took Dr. Rizal Hariadi's physics class in the spring of my freshman year and was able to connect with him following the conclusion of the class. Having done well in his class, he offered me the opportunity to start in his lab working with Dr. Swechchha Pradhan on a project that involved using a DNA nanostructure as a viral inhibitor. I was extremely excited by the prospect of getting involved in research so early in my undergraduate career and really enjoyed the nature of the project, so I joined the Haraidi lab in the Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics. I worked in that lab until the conclusion of my junior year, at which point I defended my honors thesis using the work I had done across my time in Dr. Haradi's lab. 

Q: How did the time you spent in your role as part of the Biodesign research community prepare you for your career?

A: Aside from the array of technical bench skills I learned as a part of working on my project, being a part of Dr. Hariadi's lab and the greater Biodesign community helped me to develop several communication skills key to the rest of my research career. Seeing my mentor and collaborator Dr. Swechchha Pradhan defend her thesis and workshops about giving effective presentations were critical to developing my own oral presentation skills. I also had authorship on three publications from my time working in the Hariadi lab, and seeing the publication process in its entirety and contributing to some of the writing, figure generation, and editing was a fantastic opportunity and will undoubtedly serve me well in graduate school and in my career beyond. In combination, the bench and communication skills I learned at Biodesign allowed me to successfully write and defend my honors thesis, pursue internships like the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service Research Internships in Science and Engineering and the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship programs, and become a Goldwater Scholar. And as I head towards the beginning of my PhD in the fall, I am confident I will be very well-prepared and successful in this next phase of my career. 

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: As cheesy as it may sound, the best piece of advice I can give is to cherish the little moments and friendships that you build throughout college. Some of my favorite memories from college are times spent with friends, whether it be a study session, sports game, movie night or even just the times spent doing nothing but sitting around talking to each other. College is just as much about improving yourself academically as it is about finding yourself and finding your people and community, so definitely make sure to invest your time in your friends, loved ones and community in addition to your studies. 

Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?

A: One of my favorite spots on campus has to be the Mullet Arena. I have so many fond memories cheering on ASU Hockey in a packed and lively student section. The energy and atmosphere in the Mullet is what every sports fan wants, and I was so grateful to be able to share in so many exciting victories with my fellow students. In a more academic context, the Noble Library holds a special place in my heart, as it was the meeting place for many biochemistry study groups. Before each exam, we would all convene and prepare together, and even though we were there for an academic purpose, we still had a lot of fun studying together. Those moments are definitely ones I will look back on fondly after graduating.   

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: I think food and water insecurity are both huge problems that many people on our planet unfortunately still face. Access to nutritious food and clean water are human rights key to human health and safety, so I would certainly use the $40 million to try to alleviate that challenge for as many people as possible. Additionally, without stable access to basic necessities, people cannot focus their attention on many other aspects of their lives, and they certainly cannot aim to solve other problems they face in society. I would love to provide a stable baseline for people, so that they are able to flourish in the many other aspects of their lives.