People

About Bob

Bob Rawle is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Williams College since 2018. He is a biophysical chemist by training and is interested in the biophysics of viral infection and lipid membranes. He received his BA in chemistry at Pomona College in 2008, where he worked in the laboratories of Profs. Cynthia Selassie and Malkiat Johal to develop bio-analytical methods to study DNA damage. He earned his PhD in chemistry (emphasis: biophysical chemistry) at Stanford University in 2014, working with Prof. Steve Boxer to study the membrane biophysics of vesicle fusion. He then did postdoctoral work at the University of Virginia Medical School with Prof. Peter Kasson studying the biophysics of influenza virus and Zika virus membrane fusion. Afterward, he had a short (but awesome) stint as a stay-at-home dad.

Bob loves teaching both in and out of the classroom. At Williams, Bob teaches classes in introductory chemistry, biochemistry, and biophysical chemistry. Outside of work, Bob regularly transforms into a terrifying ice dragon named Ice Fang and chases his three kids around the house. He enjoys swimming, cooking, and being outdoors.