College of S.T.E.M. Alumni Spotlight: Riley Carter
Posted: March 05, 2026 | Author: Southern Utah University | Read Time: 1 minutes
Riley Carter graduated from Southern Utah University in May of 2020 from the Department of Biology. During Carter’s time at SUU, Professors Elizabeth Pierce and Matt Ogburn had the greatest impact on his academic experience. Both mentors provided the guidance, encouragement, and support that helped shape Carter’s direction and confidence as a developing scientist. These relationships inspired him to pursue graduate school and ultimately led him to begin the path toward earning a Ph.D.
Following graduation, Carter spent a year working as a laboratory technician in an academic lab before beginning his Chemistry Ph.D. program, which he is scheduled to complete this April. Among Carter’s notable accomplishments is participation in the Chemical Biology Interface training program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Through this program, he has collaborated with faculty and visiting scholars while sharing his research with scientists across a wide range of disciplines. Currently, Carter is conducting research in natural product biosynthesis through his graduate work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Vanderbilt University, contributing to ongoing advancements in chemical biology. Outside of Carter’s academic achievements, he is especially grateful for the support of his wife, who has been a constant source of encouragement throughout his educational journey and even supports the many hobbies he enjoys exploring along the way.
Tags: College of STEM Alumni
