Jean Dreyfus Lectureship
The Jean Dreyfus Lectureship for Undergraduate Institutions at SJSU (2026) funds a multi-day visit by a notable scientist to a primarily undergraduate institution as well as sponsoring summer research and research-related travel for 2 undergraduate scholars.
SJSU's 2026 Jean Dreyfus Lecturer
We are pleased to announce that Ms. Padilla will serving as our 2026 Jean Dreyfus Lecturer!
Schedule of Events
On Tuesday, October 6, Ms. Padilla will meet with students in ISB 130 for From Curiosity to Global Impact: A Scientist’s Unexpected Journey. She’ll talk about how her path began in Puerto Rico, where a love of learning and a drive to explore the world beyond her island set everything in motion. Early research internships opened doors she never imagined, giving her the first glimpse of what science could be, and showing her that curiosity could carry her far beyond the boundaries of her hometown. She’ll share the mentors who believed in her, the opportunities she chased, and the moments that shaped her direction. It’s an honest look at how careers are built not from certainty, but from curiosity and openness.
Later that afternoon on October 6, from 3:30–4:45 pm in SH 100, she will shift into the technical side of her work with Analytical Chemistry for Safeguards and Nonproliferation. Here, she’ll talk about the tools, measurements, and analytical approaches that form the backbone of her scientific practice. She’ll explain how chemistry becomes part of a larger system of responsibility, how careful data, thoughtful interpretation, and rigorous methods support efforts far beyond the laboratory. This lecture offers a glimpse into the craft behind her career, showing how scientific precision can contribute to global challenges.
On Wednesday, October 7, Ms. Padilla will return for a public lecture in the Student Union Theater from 6:30–7:30 pm: Designing a Life in Science: How Purpose Shapes a Career. This final talk brings the trilogy together. She’ll share how she learned to build a life that reflects her values, not all at once, but through steady, intentional choices. She’ll talk about the moments that required courage, the times she had to trust her instincts, and the clarity that comes from aligning her work with who she is. It’s a reflection on designing a meaningful career, one that honors both the scientist she became and the person she always was.
Dreyfus Summer Scholars
Sadaf Omar
B.S. Biochemistry major
Estimated graduation Spring 2027
Mentor: Prof. Madalyn Radlauer
Justice Wilkes
B.S. Chemistry major, Physics minor
Estimated graduation Spring 2027
Mentor: Prof. Nicholas Esker
If you have any questions about the Jean Dreyfus Lectureship at SJSU, please contact either Prof. Madalyn Radlauer (madalyn.radlauer@sjsu.edu) or Prof. Nicholas Esker (nicholas.esker@sjsu.edu). More information can also be found at Prof. Radlauer's research group website and Prof. Esker's research group website.
