Newly-Minted Alum Makes the Grade: Accepted into Prestigious PhD Program

Tatiana Alexis McLaren, a proud member of York College’s Class of 2025, has been accepted into the Biochemistry Doctoral Program at the CUNY Graduate Center.

Tatiana Alexis McLaren, a proud member of York College’s Class of 2025, has been accepted into the Biochemistry Doctoral Program at the CUNY Graduate Center, where she is expected to thrive.

“I have a particular interest in protein engineering and rational drug design that I hope to explore further,” she explained. “In my first year, I’ll be taking courses at the Graduate Center, followed by lab rotations at various CUNY campuses.”

McLaren majored in Chemistry at York, following the Biochemistry track, and credits much of her academic success to the guidance of two esteemed Chemistry professors: Dr. Ruel Desamero and Dr. Adam Profit.

“I was in Dr. Profit’s Organic Chemistry class when he introduced me to the STEMCARE Research Program,” McLaren recalled. “That program opened my eyes to the world of scientific research, the variety of careers in the field, and it also provided mentorship and a stipend. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my degree, especially after returning from a two-year gap in my education. Dr. Desamero and Dr. Profit were instrumental in helping me discover this path. It turns out I love going down rabbit holes and figuring things out -- especially in chemistry.”

She emphasized that it was Dr. Desamero’s Biochemistry class that “really got me interested in biochemistry itself.” Both he and Dr. Profit encouraged her to apply to PhD programs. She also credited Dr. Mandë Holford, a York College alum who is joining Harvard University this fall, as a major inspiration. “She was extremely influential in pushing me to apply to more PhD programs,” McLaren said.

Looking ahead, the science scholar hopes to pursue a career in industry research after earning her PhD, potentially working with the Department of Defense (DoD). She says she’s more interested in applied research in an industrial or government setting than in academic practice.

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, McLaren began her college journey at Texas A&M right after high school. After three semesters, she took a break from her studies and worked for two years as a yacht stewardess on private charters. “At the time, I wasn’t mentally ready for college life,” she reflected.

In 2022, she moved to New York City and found a fresh start at York College, thanks in part to living rent-free in her grandmother’s home. “York was my second chance at higher education,” she said. “It was such a great experience to be surrounded by people like me, and to have a more personal, one-on-one relationship with my professors. I’m proud to be a York graduate.”

McLaren initially returned to school as a Biology major, but during Dr. Profit’s chemistry class, she rediscovered her love for the subject and quickly switched to a Chemistry major.

Congratulations and best wishes to Tatiana Alexis McLaren, who discovered her passion and purpose at York College/CUNY, and to the mentors who guided her along the way.