Joseph Wzorek of Southwick received a PhD from the Chemistry and Chemical Biology Program of Harvard University in November, 2012. He is the son of Joseph and Karen Wzorek of Southwick. Wzorek graduated from Southwick High School in 2002. He subsequently earned his undergraduate degree from Trinity College (Hartford, Ct.) in 2006, with a major in chemistry. In the fall of 2006 he enrolled as a graduate student at Harvard University (Cambridge, Ma.). Wzorek’s doctoral dissertation work focused broadly in the field of organic chemistry, and more specifically organic synthesis. Using an emerging synthesis strategy termed “macrocyclic stereocontrol”, this research established a new route to the core structures of the classic antibiotic tetracycline, and less-studied anticancer tetracyclines. This research also encompassed a computational study of macrocyclic stereocontrol, which ultimately disproved the validity of a longstanding model. Since graduating, Wzorek has begun postdoctoral studies also at Harvard, focusing on the discovery of new targets for antibiotics. In performing this research, he hopes to venture to the interface of chemistry and biology in search for new solutions to current human health concerns.
