Meredith Allen, a Bell County graduate and first-year biology major on the pre-health track at Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), has already gained significant recognition for her innovative research that bridges the gap between chemistry and real-world applications.
Allen earned first place in the Chemistry division and second place overall in oral presentations at the Eastern Collegiate Division Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science (TAS), held at Walters State Community College’s Niswonger campus in Greenville, Tennessee.
Research on Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis
Allen’s research focused on microwave-assisted organic synthesis, a technique that speeds up chemical reactions and reduces waste. This method was applied to synthesize luminol, a compound used in forensic science to detect blood traces.
In traditional lab settings, the synthesis of luminol can take up to four hours, which poses a challenge in undergraduate courses with limited lab time. Allen’s project aimed to streamline the process, making it faster and more efficient so it could be completed within a standard two-hour organic chemistry lab period.
“Microwave-assisted organic synthesis is a resourceful way to recreate molecules in a time-efficient manner,” Allen explained. “It allows reactions to happen faster, with less waste and often with a purer product. That efficiency is why it is being explored more in medicine and everyday applications.”
Mentorship and Inspiration
Allen’s interest in this research project started during her first-semester organic chemistry course, where she learned about the research interests of her mentor, Dr. Thomas Shell, an associate professor of chemistry at LMU.
Dr. Shell’s focus on medicinal chemistry and using chemistry to improve health resonated with Allen, prompting her to approach him about joining his research. Together, they refined the synthesis process until it could be completed within a single lab session.
“Meredith is a precocious research student,” Dr. Shell remarked. “Her research in chemical education and organic chemistry resulted in a laboratory exercise that will be utilized in the Organic Chemistry II Laboratory course at LMU.”
Pre-Health Track and Career Aspirations
Allen is also enrolled in LMU’s Guaranteed Professional Admission (GPA Pathway), which provides motivated students with a clear path to professional programs in various fields, including osteopathic medicine, law, and more.
As a pre-health student, Allen aims to pursue a career in medicine, and the GPA Pathway offers her the opportunity to complete all the necessary coursework for admission to LMU’s DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (DCOM). This program ensures students meeting academic benchmarks receive a guaranteed interview with the medical school.
Studying pre-health on the same campus as the medical school has made Allen’s future goals feel more tangible. “It is extremely beneficial,” she said. “You can run into medical students just walking to the student center or the gym, and they are always willing to give advice. It helps you picture where you are headed.”
Passion for Family Medicine and Rural Health
Allen’s interest in medicine began in high school after taking her first biology class and getting involved with Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA). Through HOSA, she developed a passion for family medicine and rural healthcare, which was further solidified after shadowing a general surgeon in a rural community last summer.
Overcoming Nerves and Building Confidence
Presenting her research at the state conference was both an exciting and challenging experience for Allen, especially as a first-year student. “At my first conference, I realized I was the only freshman there, which made me nervous,” she shared. “But I learned that it is okay not to have every answer. Everyone is there to learn and support one another.”
Now, Allen sees her early research success as both confidence-building and motivating. “As a student in Appalachia, resourcefulness and efficiency matter,” she said. “Being able to apply those values through research and see how they connect to medicine has been incredibly meaningful.”
Allen, the daughter of Waylor and Angela Allen, is looking forward to the future, where she hopes to continue making a difference in healthcare and research, inspired by the values of resourcefulness and efficiency that are so crucial to her community.
