Lives of Consequence
Kristin Schram Riley '03
Research and Development Staff Scientist, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
With nearly 5,000 employees in more than 60 locations around the world, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., aids upwards of 50,000 veterinary practices in hopes of providing better animal care and safer food and water.
In her role as a research and development staff scientist at IDEXX, Kristin Riley '03 leads "a group of biophysicists and biochemists in protein characterization as well as making sure we preserve protein structure and function during the large scale manufacturing processes we develop," she says. "I'm lucky enough that my group helps to serve many product lines and our projects are very versatile and interesting – we are never bored!"
At Yale University, where Riley completed her graduate work, she studied biophysical chemistry and became "fascinated with the way proteins work and regulate living systems," she says. "They really are beautiful and amazing!"
Riley eventually moved away from protein and DNA sequencing in the academic realm when she joined IDEXX, headquartered in Maine.
"What I learned about myself is that I prefer a more charged and varied atmosphere," she says. "However, I didn't want to switch away from studying biological molecules."
With nearly eight years at IDEXX now, Riley says, "I look forward to going to work every day. I love my job. I love science. Perhaps best of all is that I feel very thankful to do what I love while having an impact on the health of animals. There are studies that show that pets can lower stress levels, help with depression and anxiety, and can even help you live longer - so taking care of pets also means we take care of people."
As a student at HWS, Riley studied HIV inhibitor drugs, "so I wanted to stay in a field that I felt had relevance to solving health problems or serving a greater purpose," she says. "I think this need to serve others, no matter your field of expertise, is something I really cultivated at HWS."
She recalls: "In several speeches I heard President Gearan give at HWS he had a consistent message to 'be part of something larger than yourself,' and I never forgot that. I looked for companies with this same philosophy and chose well."
A chemistry major and theatre minor at HWS, Riley received the Nathan D. Lapham Prize and the Holland Prize, Ralph Hadley Bullard Chemistry Prize and the F. F. Griffith Award in Theatre. She studied abroad in Bath, was a member of the Laurel Society, and was named to Phi Lambda Upsilon National Honor Society in Chemistry, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society and Phi Beta Kappa.
Now an established scientist, Riley says she looks forward "to any opportunities where I can show young children how fun science can be or to mentor those just starting in a scientific career," she says. "My group employs interns and it's very rewarding to see them learn and get excited about what it actually means to be a scientist. I think when the textbooks turn into actual scientific challenges where they can see their work have an impact you see a spark that ignites a lifelong passion. I'm grateful to be witness to that transformation."