From Undecided to Ph.D.: Meet Merck Senior Scientist, Dr. Theresa Buckley
Dr. Theresa Buckley, a senior scientist with Merck, says she never saw herself as an academic. In hindsight, she’d have been right to hypothesize a future of curiosity, self-awareness, and success—all thanks to an educated yes to LCCC.
As a teenager, Buckley was an Olympic hopeful with the USA Luge Junior National Team. She switched to cyber school in eighth grade to accommodate her busy training and racing schedule. 
A change of heart led her to step away from the sport and, ultimately, back into a formal classroom for the first time in five years at LCCC. She had aspirations to volunteer abroad. Buckley knew she wanted to help people, and she sensed that candidates with college degrees were given serious consideration.
Conservations, Curiosity, and Potential
That hunch, coupled with encouragement from a friend to consider the College Honors program, sparked early conversations and the curiosity to explore her potential.
“The honors program put me on the track to being where I am today. I did not believe in myself academically at all,” says Buckley. “But, I had mentors and supportive faculty, and I was surrounded by peers who were so smart.”
Buckley often thinks about her mentor, Dr. Christine Bowditch, who started her thinking not just about next steps, but big ones.
“I told her I was just glad to be getting my associate degree, that I’ll see what happens after that, and she said, ‘You should really be thinking beyond that. You could pursue a Ph.D.’”
Having Chemistry With Science
At LCCC, Buckley decided to lean into learning what she loves, and she learned she loves science. She credits Professor Emeritus Holly Morris with helping pinpoint her passion.
“Her biology class was my first college science class, and I was so fascinated by everything,” says Buckley. “Her entire classroom was such a positive environment. The way she taught helped me learn how to be a student while learning biology.”
Morris introduced chemistry as part of the curriculum, and this had Buckley eager to challenge herself with continued science courses. LCCC’s small class sizes and close-knit learning environment helped her make meaningful connections with faculty, enhancing her college experience with knowledge and a sense of belonging.
A Safe Place to Seek Answers and Keep Learning
As a student and a budding scientist, having a safe place to make mistakes, get introduced to research, think about new problems, and round learning curves with support was critical for Buckley. A chemistry assessment placed her in a pre-course that familiarized her with the fundamentals she needed to advance her trajectory.
“I was able to get what I needed at the right level for me. It was offered. No judgement. Nobody made me feel stupid for not yet knowing something,” says Buckley. “The fundamentals are the root. It doesn’t matter how complicated it gets. Chemistry is all about electrons. Knowing this made the harder courses easier.”
This catalyzed a growth mindset in Buckley, helping her to have compassion for herself, as well as others. This proved valuable in her role as a teaching assistant at Penn State University, where she did, ultimately, pursue the Ph.D. Dr. Bowditch alluded to completing a Ph.D. in chemistry.
Her doctoral path to Penn State was preceded by earning her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at Kutztown University, which she attended on an All-Pennsylvania Academic Team scholarship that is awarded to state system transfer students who achieve academic excellence and demonstrate a commitment to their community college.
Buckley was active with the Student Government Association (SGA), and then Director of Student Life Gene Eden, who oversaw SGA, brought the scholarship opportunity to Buckley’s attention.
“Knowing I could eliminate the barrier of taking on college debt was amazing. I was going to have my associate and then, with the scholarship, I just knew with certainty that I was going to be transferring to Kutztown to earn my bachelor’s,” says Buckley.
Getting Involved and Creating Community
LCCC opportunities with SGA, the honors program, as well as the Outdoors Club, enriched Buckley beyond the classroom, shaping her into a learner and a leader who values getting involved, giving back, and creating community.
“I learned that showing up and actively participating is important,” Buckley says. “Building community at LCCC helped me seek out and create community everywhere I’ve gone since.”
A Smart Start for an Amazing Career
Today, Buckley is a senior scientist working in analytical research and development at Merck. She is grateful her younger, not-so-certain self possessed the curiosity to consider a smart start at LCCC. While she had no idea what exactly she was starting, her experimental spirit, coupled with LCCC’s engaging and supportive faculty, staff and students, helped her realize she’s an academic after all—and a high-achieving one at that.
Alumni like Buckley showcase the world of global innovation that is happening right here, in our very own backyard, among the rolling hills of LCCC’s main campus in Schnecksville, and the recently announced $5 million workforce training investment with Eli Lilly means LCCC will continue sharpening the leading edge for solving the most pressing health science challenges of our time.
Helping Others Looks Like Leading Global Innovation
The science happening at LCCC is certainly sound for Buckley, who first set out with a heart-filled aspiration to help others.
“At Merck, I provide life-saving medicine that could save someone from pain,” says Buckley. “I always wanted to be helping people, right? So, knowing the work I’m doing now, just getting to be a small piece of a bigger puzzle, is super important to me.”
From being undecided to being destined to keep learning, Buckley says LCCC saw the scientist in her that she needed to see in herself.
“At LCCC, the professors and staff really want to connect with you. They see you, and they believe you’re there because you’re going somewhere. They truly want to prepare you for wherever that is. They want to help you get there,” says Buckley.
