Department of Natural Sciences of Pitzer and Scripps Colleges
Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges
909.607.9353
aleconte@natsci.claremont.edu
W.M. Keck Science Center
925 N. Mills Ave
Nucleus E116
Claremont, CA 91711
Professional Experience
Professor of Chemistry (2025-present)
Associate Professor of Chemistry (2018-2025)
Assistant Professor of Chemistry (2012-2018)
Department of Natural Sciences of Pitzer and Scripps Colleges
Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges
Discovery and characterization of novel enzyme activities through biochemical analysis.
NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow (2009-2012)
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University
Advisor: David R. Liu
(i) Identification and characterization of small molecule-RNA conjugates in biological systems using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.
(ii) Development and application of continuous evolution as a model system of protein evolution.
Education
Ph.D., Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute (2004-2009)
Advisor: Floyd E. Romesberg
(i) Expansion of the genetic alphabet through development of a third, orthogonal DNA base pair using synthetic chemistry, screening, enzymology, and directed evolution of DNA polymerases.
(ii) Engineering of DNA polymerases for high-throughput sequencing through directed evolution.
B.A., Chemistry, Carleton College (2000-2004)
Advisor: David G. Alberg
Design and synthesis of trypanothione analogues for inhibition of Trypanothione Reductase, a key enzyme for parasites of the genera Trypanosoma.
Teaching Experience
Keck Science Department; Professor
CHEM14L: Basic Principles of Chemistry (Lab only: Fall 2012, 2013)
CHEM29: Accelerated General Chemistry (Lecture only: Fall 2014, Spring 2024)
CHEM40L: Introduction to Biological Chemistry (Fall 2015, 2016, 2017)
CHEM042L: Introduction to Biological Chemistry (Lab only: Spring 2024)
CHEM117L: Organic Chemistry II (Lab only: Spring 2023, 2025, 2026)
CHEM125L: Advanced Laboratory in Biochemistry (Spring 2020, 2021, 2022, Fall 2023)
CHEM127L: Advanced Laboratory II (Spring 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017)
BIO177/CHEM177: Biochemistry (Fall 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2025; Spring 2015, 2018, 2023, 2025)
CHEM180: Applied Biomolecular Evolution (Spring 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023)
Awards and Funding
2024 Cottrell SEED Award (The Research Corporation for Science Advancement)
2023 Cottrell Postbaccalaureate Fellowhsip (The Research Corporation for Science Advancement)
2019 R15 Award (National Institutes of Health)
2018 CAREER Award (National Science Foundation)
2016 Cottrell Scholar Award (The Research Corporation for Science Advancement)
2014 Cottrell College Science Award (The Research Corporation for Science Advancement)
2013 ResearchRewards grant (TriLink Biotechnologies)
2010 Ruth L. Kirchstein National Research Service Award (NIH)
2008 ACS Division of Biological Chemistry Travel Award (ACS)
2007 ARCS Foundation Fellowship (ARCS)
2006 Best Poster, Graduate Retreat, Chemistry (TSRI)
2006 Lesly Starr Shelton Award for Excellence in Chemistry Graduate Studies (TSRI)
2004 Franz Exner Award for Excellence in Chemistry (Carleton College)
2001 Dow Chemical Company Foundation Scholarship (Carleton College)