Taylor Alexis Dorlus was raised on the East Side of Chicago, IL by her Jamaican-born mother, Andrea, and Haitian-born father, Justin. From a young age, she was full of energy and personality, participating in activities like dancing, cheering, and running track. One notable trait Taylor displayed early on was her undeniable love for science! In addition to her academic pursuits, Taylor’s vibrant personality earned her the title of Most Outgoing. She further demonstrated her passion for critical thinking and scientific curiosity by participating in programs like the Chicago State University Science and Engineering program and the Illinois Math and Science Academy summer boarding program. During middle school, she conceptualized and conducted strategic projects on human memory and willpower, earning first-place recognition in the science fair for both her 7th and 8th grade projects.

Upon graduating at the top of her class, Taylor successfully tested into Lincoln Park High School, where she was accepted into the Honors, Double Honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate program. Despite her rigorous academic schedule, she maintained her “Most Outgoing” title, winning it again in high school. Taylor also danced on the pompom team and took advanced French language classes. In 2012, she participated in a foreign exchange program in Paris, France. During her senior year, on the final day to apply for the Siemens Scholarship application, Taylor received special permission from her teachers to spend the day completing her application. To her surprise, when she attended the award ceremony, she was awarded an $80,000 Deans Scholarship to attend her dream school in Atlanta, GA.

At Clark Atlanta University, Taylor maintained her academic scholarship and earned membership into the prestigious Isabella T. Jenkins Honors Program. Throughout undergraduate years, she was committed to positively impacting the campus community. As a member of the Senior Class Council, she served on the executive board as event coordinator. Taylor was also an active member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, The Illinois Club, Helping Hands, and the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE). The Beta Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. honored her as Miss 1923 for her dedication to scholarship and uplifting her peers. Additionally, Taylor volunteered extensively with Books for Africa, advocating for educational equity in underserved countries. On May 21st, 2018, Taylor graduated Cum Laude with a 3.4 GPA, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry as one of five students in her cohort.

Afterward, Taylor prepared to pursue her dream of becoming a pharmacist, taking the next year to work for CVS Pharmacy and Aetna while preparing for the PCAT. The week she was accepted into Chicago State School of Pharmacy, she received a life-changing offer. Based on her achievements at CAU, including a summer internship at her current institution, she was awarded a fully funded graduate fellowship to pursue her Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry at Jackson State University.

Taylor began her PhD journey in Fall 2019, focusing on quantum and computational chemistry. She excelled in all her courses, maintaining a 3.9 GPA. Taylor was inducted into the Alpha Epsilon Lambda National Honor Society and the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society. She served as Vice President and later President of JSU’s NOBCChE chapter. Taylor completed two internships with the National Institutes of Health, which inspired her independent research proposal titled “Flavonoid Derivatives as Novel Inhibitors of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: In Silico.” In addition to teaching and facilitating general chemistry labs, she also tutored chemistry and other related subjects. On December 12, 2024, Taylor successfully defended her dissertation, titled “In Silico Analysis of Donor-Acceptor Based π-Conjugated Compounds for Organic Solar Material: A DFT/TD-DFT Study,” and published two first-author papers based on her research.

Taylor has participated in numerous research symposiums and conferences, winning awards and travel grants for her outstanding ability to conduct research and answer critical scientific questions. She overcame all obstacles and pressures of pursuing such an advanced degree far from home, staying true to herself and her mission. Through perseverance, she broke barriers and defied the odds. Taylor dedicates her success to the unwavering support of her family, friends, and mentors, as well as the many steppingstones along her journey. Gods fate and favor have been pivotal in her path. Today, Taylor is among the less than 3% of Black women with a doctoral degree, and she views this achievement as just the beginning of her contributions to science and the world. She plans to further advance her chemistry expertise to help develop drugs and address health disparities. On May 2nd, 2025, Dr. Taylor Alexis Dorlus will officially be hooded. Please join us in congratulating and celebrating this milestone achievement.