Krystle J. McLaughlin

Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Woman with a blue petal pattern shirt and blue blazer smiling - Pictured: Krystle McLaughlin

Krystle J. McLaughlin earned a B.A. in Physics from Colgate University in 2006, followed by a PhD in Biophysics at the University of Rochester in 2011. She was then a postdoctoral scholar in the SPIRE program at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which emphasized teaching and pedagogical training, along with traditional research. Dr. McLaughlin joined the Vassar Chemistry department in 2017. 

She teaches Biochemistry (Chem 272), Biophysical Chemistry (Chem 326) and Protein Crystallography (Chem 295). Her research interests are focused on the biochemical and biophysical study of proteins from diverse microbial systems such as the gut microbe Bacteroides ovatus and antibiotic resistance transfer in Staphylococcus and Salmonella. Her lab makes primary use of macromolecular x-ray crystallography to investigate protein structure and function.

Dr. McLaughlin is currently an elected member of the US National Committee for Crystallography.

BA, Colgate University; PhD, University of Rochester
At Vassar since 2017

Contact

845-437-5337
Bridge for Laboratory Sciences
Box 92

Research and Academic Interests

Protein x-ray crystallography
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Microbial proteins

Departments and Programs

Courses

BIOC 326 Biophysical Chemistry
BIOL/CHEM 272 Biochemistry
Bioc 356 Biochemistry Senior Seminar
Chem/Bioc 295 Protein Crystallography

Grants, Fellowships, Honors, Awards

2022-2025. Dr. Krystle McLaughlin is a recipient of a 2022 Cottrell Scholar Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA). The 3-year $100,000 award supports her research lab and teaching development.

“These exceptional teacher-scholars are chosen not just for their research and educational programs but for their potential to become academic leaders at their institutions and beyond.” -RCSA President & CEO Daniel Linzer.

In the Media

Assistant Professor of Chemistry Krystle McLaughlin sitting at a table in front of microphones

Students, administrators, alums, and others in the Vassar community enjoyed a plethora of events in observation of Black History Month, included  exhibitions, a panel on STEM-related fields, a dinner, and an update of the Buildings and Belonging project, focused on the history of African Americans on campus.

Photos

Download images for non-commercial use, photo credit required.