Buzzin’ Brood: Student Spotlight, John McLaughlin, B.S. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
John McLaughlin, from Libertyville, Illinois, is pursuing a B.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Ohio University, class of Spring 2025. He serves as the President of the Biomedical Engineering Society, is a member of The American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and an Ambassador of The Ralph & Luci Schey Sales Centre. This summer, he is interning with Kymanox.
July 22, 2024
| This article is part of our Buzzin’ Brood Student Spotlight series, one of our ongoing People & Places Features. We are thrilled to spotlight the next generation of industry. Be sure to FOLLOW us on LinkedIn to tell us what you think and let us know if you have a student or intern you’d like us to feature. |
How did you get here?
My name is John McLaughlin, I am currently a rising senior studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Ohio University.
Initially, I wanted to be a doctor or athletic trainer, but I was not entirely sure of my path after graduating high school. However, one thing was certain — I wanted to play college hockey.
Choosing to pursue junior hockey after graduation took me on a transformative two-year journey, where I played for various teams across a diverse collection of cities spanning from the East to West Coast.
Within these two gap years I had taken, I realized my true calling: to contribute to the betterment of humanity through the field of biotechnology. As my last year of junior hockey came to a close, my focus shifted to finding a place where I could study my desired major and continue playing hockey.
Initially, I was unsure about Ohio University due to its location in the foothills of Appalachia, far from what was familiar to me. However, my coach urged me to visit, and upon arriving in Athens, I was amazed by the beautiful campus and how well I got along with the guys on the team.
After my visit, choosing Ohio University became a no-brainer. It offered the opportunity to pursue my desired major and play for a historic hockey program. Achieving my goal of playing college hockey set the stage for my next goal — making significant contributions in the field of life science and biotechnology.
My numerous internships at Kymanox provided invaluable experiences from working on the backend of a business to doing hands-on work in the field. At Kymanox, I have gained deep insights into the entire process of bringing a new drug to market and how the goal of achieving FDA approval is a highly cross-functional, team effort. Additionally, conversations with professionals currently in the space and engaging coursework throughout college have continued to ignite my true passion for chemical and biomolecular engineering.
Following graduation, I plan to use this passion for chemical and biomolecular engineering to help humanity by bringing novel medicines and therapies to market. My journey, shaped by a deep love for hockey and science, has prepared me to take on these challenges and make a meaningful impact.
What is currently blowing your mind right now?
- CRISPR and Gene Editing
- Microbiomics
- GLP-1 Therapies
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Usage in Biotechnology
If you could explain yourself right now in only emojis, what would those be?
If you could travel into the future… what does your LinkedIn Headline say?
Founder & CEO | Innovator in Biotechnology | Creating Sustainable Solutions for a Healthier World
This headline reflects my long-term aspiration to lead a company dedicated to developing innovative and sustainable solutions for patients in need. To achieve this goal, I am committing myself to learning the ins and outs of the industry before making the leap into entrepreneurship. Throughout my professional journey, I will aim to connect with like-minded professionals and organizations in the life science industry, fostering collaborations that drive meaningful change. By leveraging my skills in chemical engineering, I hope to contribute to breakthroughs that improve health and sustainability worldwide.
What is your favorite quote and why?
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
This quote by former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt resonates with me because it underscores the value of courage, perseverance, and taking action despite the possibility of failure. Throughout my journey, from pursuing hockey to chemical engineering, I have faced numerous challenges and setbacks. Yet, it’s these very experiences that have taught me the most and shaped who I am today. Embracing the spirit of “daring greatly” has driven me to strive for excellence in biotechnology, knowing that true progress comes from being in the arena, fully engaged and committed to making a difference.
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