Colleen Connelly

Colleen Connelly is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Union College. She holds a B.S. from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University, and completed postdoctoral research at the National Cancer Institute. Her research focuses on chemical biology and RNA biochemistry, particularly investigating RNA structure-function relationships and developing small molecule probes to target disease-associated RNAs. Current projects include studying microRNA processing in cancer and immune disorders, and creating agents to modulate RNA structure for therapeutic applications.

Dr. Connelly teaches Organic Chemistry I & Lab, Organic Chemistry II Lab, Biochemistry courses, and lab modules emphasizing interdisciplinary experimental skills. She directs a research lab where students engage in projects combining organic chemistry, molecular biology, and biophysical techniques. Recent funding includes a $11,216 grant from The Bender Scientific Fund (2020) supporting fluorescence-based studies of precursor microRNAs.

Her work bridges organic synthesis and biological systems, with publications in Nature Communications, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, and Cell Chemical Biology. Collaborations involve structural analysis using NMR spectroscopy and high-throughput screening approaches. She has pioneered methods for small molecule inhibition of oncogenic microRNAs and light-activated RNA control systems.