Snezna Rogelj

Snezna Rogelj is a Professor in the Department of Biology at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Her research focuses on biochemistry, cancer biology, and drug resistance, with a strong emphasis on synthesizing and evaluating small molecules for antimicrobial and anticancer applications. She has received several honors, including the U.S. Department of Energy's Defense Programs Early Career Scientist and Engineer Award (1999), the Outstanding New Mexico Tech Professor (2009), and the NMT Distinguished Research Award (2017).

Education:

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry (1985), Boston University School of Medicine
• B.S. in Physics with Emphasis on Astronomy (1976), Ohio State University
• Summer Physiology Course at Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory (1982)

Her research spans natural products chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, and environmental toxicology, exploring the mechanisms of proteasome inhibitors, microtubule-targeting agents, and photoactivated compounds. Recent work includes the synthesis of arylazo indoles with antibacterial activity and studies on the ecological impacts of pharmaceutical pollutants.

Scientific Awards:

• U.S. Department of Energy's Defense Programs Early Career Scientist and Engineer Award (1999)
• Outstanding New Mexico Tech Professor (2009)
• NMT Distinguished Research Award (2017)

The Rogelj Lab has trained numerous MS and PhD graduates and mentored postdoctoral research associates. Her patents and peer-reviewed publications highlight her contributions to drug discovery, environmental remediation, and biomedical applications of natural product derivatives.