Juan Alejandro '25 | In His Element: Science, Medicine, and the Future of Care

For Juan, science is more than formulas and lab work; it’s about understanding the underlying mechanisms of health and disease and using that knowledge to provide better care for patients.

A Leominster, Massachusetts native, he was drawn to Emmanuel’s small class sizes, strong faculty support, and proximity to Boston’s leading hospitals and biotech companies—a combination that offered both academic rigor and hands-on learning.

A chemistry major on the ACS-approved track and a pre-med student, Juan works closely with faculty mentors in the School of Science & Health including Dr. Janel Cabrera, Dr. Juan Duchimaza Heredia, and Dr. Michelle Watt. As a member of the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC), Dr. Watt has helped guide Juan’s preparation for medical school, balancing intensive research, coursework, and MCAT studies.

In the lab, Juan is part of the GRAB Lab (Gerdon Research in Analytical Biomaterials), where he works with Professor of Chemistry Dr. Aren Gerdon on biomineralization, studying how minerals form in nature. His research focuses on hydroxyapatite, the mineral that makes up bones and teeth, with the goal of understanding how bones develop at the molecular level.

“We all have bones, and they degrade over time,” he explains. “But we still don’t fully understand how they form in the first place.” Using a specialized QCM instrument, Juan measures the early stages of mineralization by the microgram, gathering data that could contribute to future advances in orthopedics and regenerative medicine. The lab’s research could help the medical industry move beyond reliance on metal and plastic implants, instead exploring ways to encourage the body’s natural ability to rebuild bone.

Juan has had the opportunity to present his GRAB Lab research at American Chemical Society (ACS) national conferences, including in New Orleans (2024) and San Diego (2025).

While he thrives in the lab, Juan is equally drawn to the human side of medicine. He plans to pursue a career in primary care, particularly pediatrics, with a focus on strengthening community health through preventive care. By addressing key factors that influence well-being, he hopes to reduce emergency room visits and improve patient care. His interests lie in the social determinants of health—external influences like economic stability, access to quality healthcare and education, safe housing, nutritious food, and reliable transportation—all of which play a vital role in a person’s overall quality of life and access to medical services.