FROM THE NEST | SUMMER 2026 | 21 When Lillian Wu ʼ27 placed a plate of bacteria beneath a fluorescence microscope and watched the screen illuminate in green and red, she felt months of research suddenly come into focus. After weeks of troubleshooting experiments and questioning results, the glowing bacterial cells confirmed she was finally seeing something important. Moments like that are what continue to drive Wu deeper into biomedical research. Her work studying antibiotic resistance and bacterial membranes recently earned her one of the nationʼs most prestigious undergraduate STEM honors: the Goldwater Scholarship, awarded to students showing exceptional promise as future research leaders in science, engineering and mathematics. A chemical engineering major, Wu is the second Lehigh student in as many years to receive the award, reflecting the universityʼs expanding enterprise and commitment to undergraduate research. Studying the Effectiveness of an Antimicrobial Peptide When Wu heard Angela Brown, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, present research focused on bacterial disease and antibiotic resistance in a first-year engineering course, it deeply resonated. Inspired by the presentation, Wu sent Brown an email that led directly to her first lab experience. “Professor Brown has been incredibly supportive,ˮ Wu said. “She was the first person to encourage me to apply to the Clare Boothe Luce Program [for Women in STEM].ˮ Working alongside Brown and graduate mentor Mahsa Khodabakhsh Majd Ph.D.ʼ28, Wu studies LL-37, a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide found in the human immune system. Her research examines how bacteria release tiny membrane-bound vesicles that can act as decoys, distracting LL-37 before it can attack the bacteria itself. During one series of experiments, Wu noticed something unexpected: Positively charged liposomes, synthetic vesicle-like structures, appeared to make LL-37 more effective at killing bacteria. Rather than dismissing the anomaly, she leaned further into the problem, using fluorescence microscopy to observe how bacteria, vesicles and liposomes interacted. “Thatʼs what I love about research; youʼre not going in a straight line,ˮ Wu said. “I heard someone say once to fall in love with the problem and not the solution. Thatʼs what excites me most.ˮ The Future of Womenʼs Health Wuʼs work is a testament to Lehighʼs Future Maker spirit, using pragmatic problem- solving to tackle global challenges. She sees a transition in her future studies toward reducing maternal mortality and improving womenʼs health outcomes. “It really resonates with me that women die while theyʼre bringing life into the world,ˮ Wu said. “Your health shouldnʼt be at risk when youʼre trying to build your family.ˮ This summer, she interned with the Population Council in New York City, a nonprofit contributing to research focusing on preterm birth. She plans to pursue graduate school and continue working at the intersection of biomedical research, healthcare equity and womenʼs health. She credits mentors across Lehigh like Joseph Menicucci, associate chair and professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and STEM fellowship advisor Jennifer Marangos with helping her recognize her potential as a researcher. The Goldwater Scholarship is a building block in a much larger story, Wu said, one that she attributes to the power of curiosity, connection and meaning. “You never know where something small is going to lead,ˮ Wu said. “I feel just as much pride in the research process as I do in the award itself.ˮ—Katie Clarke “I HEARD SOMEONE SAY ONCE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE PROBLEM AND NOT THE SOLUTION. THATʼS WHAT EXCITES ME MOST.ˮ —Lillian Wu ʼ27 RESEARCH Pursuing Discovery Through Goldwater Scholarship Lillian Wu ʼ27 is advancing research on antibiotic resistance while exploring the future of womenʼs health. CHRISTA NEU
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