Tarynn Neal ’26 in the Pielak Lab (photo by Leon Godwin)
In this video, Tarynn Neal ’26 shares her research journey as a chemistry major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
From discovering her passion for biochemistry in high school to conducting cutting-edge research in protein thermodynamics and macromolecular crowding at Carolina, Tarynn reflects on the mentors, lab experiences, and global research opportunities that have accelerated her growth.
Through the support of the Morehead-Cain Program, she has pursued international research, worked alongside faculty mentors, and built a strong foundation for her future PhD in chemistry.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the thirteenth top-ranked university in the United States for federal research, totally $950 million annually. Carolina is also the seventh largest public U.S. research university in research volume and annual expenditures. Learn more about research at UNC–Chapel Hill.
“My plan is to pursue my PhD in chemistry. My research here has laid a fantastic foundation of biochemistry skills and laboratory techniques and has really shown me what it looks like to be a research scientist. I’m carrying those skills, hopefully, into graduate school with me.” –Tarynn Neal ’26
