Rhodes alumna Paula Millirons Koelle will speak at this year’s Phi Beta Kappa induction ceremony to be held on campus May 12. She graduated with honors from Rhodes in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and received an award for best undergraduate research by the Memphis Chapter of the American Chemical Society. She also received the Peyton Nalle Rhodes Phi Beta Kappa Prize presented annually to the graduating senior who exemplifies the highest qualities of achievement, creativity, and commitment to the liberal arts and sciences.
Koelle went on to pursue a master’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology at Harvard University, where she was the recipient of a National Science Foundation Fellowship. After graduation, she became a preceptor and head teaching fellow at Harvard, working with multiple professors and lab staffs to maximize instruction in large undergraduate courses in biochemistry and molecular biology. For 14 years, she was a self-employed math and science tutor/teacher. Presently, Koelle is a senior scientist at GeneCapture Inc. in Huntsville, AL, which is focused on developing a rapid diagnostic device to detect and identify the source of an infection in less than one hour.