MSU Denver Postbaccalaureate Bridge Program

Dr. Megan Lazorski is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Metropolitan State University of Denver and a Joint Appointee at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where she investigates how transition metal complexes interact with light to advance solar energy conversion technologies. With over $2.7 million raised in funding for research and workforce development programs, her research and mentorship have helped pave the way for the next generation of scientists. Dr. Lazorski’s collaborations span multiple institutions and Department of Energy and National Science Foundation Innovation Centers, enabling her to continue engagement among a broad team of researchers across Colorado’s Front Range and beyond.

Motivated by a deep personal reckoning during early 2021—a time marked by social unrest, loss, and reflection—Dr. Lazorski directed her energy into imagining and building a belonging-focused scientific community. This vision culminated in the founding of MSU Denver’s Post-baccalaureate Bridge Programs, among the first inter-institutional workforce development programs of their kind with bridge experiences in Chemistry and Biochemistry. As Founder and Co-Director, she led the effort to secure American Chemical Society Bridge Partner status and build strategic partnerships that expand opportunities for students and scientists experiencing unnecessary barriers to advancement and belonging in STEM. Dr. Lazorski continues to merge research, education, and holistic mentorship to create a reality in science that reflects the world we all deserve

As a synthetic chemist, I’m like a culinary artist, concocting molecules that range from hefty carbohydrates to petite peptides. With my team of eager undergraduate researchers, we embark on adventures through the intricate world of molecule-making. In the classroom, I hold the title of teaching the seemingly terrifying yet mysteriously fascinating subject of Organic Chemistry. My teaching philosophy revolves around genuine connection and unwavering support. Not just another professor; I’m a steadfast ally, ready to roll up my sleeves and tackle academic challenges alongside my students. This commitment has cultivated a tight-knit community affectionately known as the Dr. A-Team (or simply the A-Team), where students flourish as researchers, assistants, interns, and enthusiastic learners. My journey, like many, is colored by both triumphs and trials. It’s these experiences that fuel my passion for education and innovation. They’re the reason I eagerly joined this extraordinary postbaccalaureate initiative—because I believe in the power of change and the transformative impact of education.  

I am interested in:

1. how cognitive (student performance, problem-solving strategies), affective (attitudes, motivations), and contextual (instructional, institutional) factors, individually and in combination, can be leveraged to make education accessible to all students, especially those from at-risk and underrepresented student groups and
2. the design and use of problem-solving strategies and modules that can be adapted to individual students’ needs.

As a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at MSU Denver, I work to provide students with opportunities to grow as scientists. By combining the promotion of problem-solving skills and scientific curiosity in the classroom and research laboratory with career advising and mentorship outside of the classroom, I strive to prepare students for the next steps in their chemistry careers.

I am a biochemist who loves mapping the unique 3D structure of RNAs and figuring out how those structures drive function. I’m especially fascinated by structures in RNA viruses that function to hijack cellular machinery upon infection. Throughout my time at MSU Denver, I’ve become invested in developing and enriching equitable pathways for students to gain research experience – which is essential to intellectual and scientific development. That is why I’m so excited to participate in the ACS Bridge Postbaccalaureate Program to help recent graduates explore the scientific method, gain confidence and the self-efficacy to persist to careers in STEM.

Since joining the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in 2010 as an organic synthetic polymer chemist, I have engaged in an extensive array of renewable energy projects spanning organic photovoltaics, battery technology, hydrogen storage materials, carbon capture initiatives, and a variety of catalysis efforts. This role has afforded me the unique opportunity to lead and facilitate numerous large-scale collaborations, bringing together industry partners, national laboratories, and academic institutions. One of the most rewarding elements of my career has been the opportunity to host and mentor visiting students. Reflecting on my own journey as a scientist, one-on-one mentoring relationships have catalyzed my most significant personal and professional growth. The holistic mentorship ethos embedded in these post-baccalaureate programs, coupled with the dedicated and thoughtful engagement of this dynamic team, is what initially attracted me to this work. The opportunity to contribute to the development of the next generation of scientists, through both technical mentorship and personal support, continues to be a driving source of motivation for me in my involvement with this program.

I have been the Biochemistry lab supervisor at MSU since 2018, while also frequently teaching general chemistry and labs focused on non-majors. In these classes I view my responsibility to help students prepare for the practical use of science, both to help establish a framework for people starting their journey into a science career, and among biochemists about to transition to a new stage after they graduate.

Dr. Damilola Caleb Akintayo is a Wilton Flemon Postdoctoral Fellow at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he supports the RENEW grant through experimental research, data analysis, and mentoring postbaccalaureate and undergraduate researchers. With a strong background in synthetic chemistry—spanning inorganic, organic, bioorganic, and catalytic applications—he specializes in multi-step synthesis, structural characterization, and optimizing chemical processes. Dr. Akintayo is passionate about guiding emerging scientists, teaching lab courses, and fostering research skills in students. His dedication to sustainable energy initiatives and advancing scientific knowledge drives his commitment to mentorship and collaborative research. Through his work, he aims to inspire the next generation of chemists while contributing to impactful, innovative discoveries.