Meden F. Isaac-Lam

Meden F. Isaac-Lam is a Professor of Chemistry in the College of Engineering and Sciences at Purdue University Northwest, where she teaches organic chemistry, biochemistry and general chemistry. Her research spans multiple interdisciplinary fields with significant contributions to cancer therapeutics and molecular imaging.

Her primary research interests focus on the development and discovery of drug therapeutics for photodynamic therapy as cancer treatment and for neurodegenerative diseases, the use of MRI/MRS (magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy) to study brain diseases and disorders, and understanding the effect of calorie restriction in human health. Additional research areas include plastic degradation, environmental protection, and STEM education innovation.

Dr. Isaac-Lam's scholarly work demonstrates a strong trend toward translational research with clinical applications, particularly in cancer treatment. Her publications show expertise in chemical synthesis, molecular imaging, and therapeutic development with a focus on practical applications for human health conditions.

• Senior Fulbright Scholar
• United States Patent No. 11,191,835 B2 for Chlorin-Vitamin Conjugates (Therapeutics for Cancer)

Dr. Isaac-Lam is deeply committed to mentoring undergraduate students, believing that "mentoring is extremely critical in student success." She emphasizes individualized teaching approaches and has developed well-structured mentoring programs that consider students' career paths and intellectual abilities. Her patent work serves as an inspiration for students, demonstrating the real-world applications of chemistry research and the possibility of becoming an inventor.

She leads interdisciplinary research initiatives including a project studying American military veterans afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), collaborating with statisticians, social workers, psychologists, radiologists, MRI technicians and medical physics students to understand how brain molecules affect feelings and behavior.