Lea Michel Headshot

Lea Michel

Professor

School of Chemistry and Materials Science
College of Science
Director of Access and Belonging Initiatives
lvmsch@rit.edu
585-475-4273
Office Location
GOS-3284

Lea Michel

Professor

School of Chemistry and Materials Science
College of Science
Director of Access and Belonging Initiatives

Bio

Lea Michel Bio video

Video Bio

Lea Vacca Michel, Ph.D. is a Professor in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science and the College of Science's Director of Access and Belonging at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Currently, her research is focused on the role of proteins in disease. Dr. Michel is a proud member of RIT's Women in Science (WISe) program (former Chair of WISe), a mentor for the Rochester Project SEED program (former Director), member of the Rochester ACS Women Chemists Committee (WCC), former Director of the Research Strand for the HHMI-funded Inclusive Excellence program at RIT, and Chair of ASBMB's Maximizing Access Committee. She strives to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities (including those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing) in science and math. Dr. Michel was featured in articles in Nature (Nature 558, 149-151, 2018) and Chemistry World magazine (Chemistry World, Careers, 21 December 2020), and she was awarded the 2022 ASBMB Early-Career Leadership Award (ASBMB Today article), the 2023 ChemCUR Outstanding Mentor Award from the Chemistry Division and the Council on Undergraduate Research, and the 2024-25 Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching at RIT. In 2024, Dr. Michel was named a Finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. 

For more information, please visit the Lea Michel Research Group website. 

lvmsch@rit.edu
585-475-4273
Personal Links
Personal Website
Google Scholar
Areas of Expertise
Biochemistry
Biophysics
Protein Vaccines
Structural Biology
Protein Biochemistry
Bacterial Proteins

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
A, Gehret, Trussell J, and Michel LV. "Experiential Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in the Lab with Non-Signing Advisors." International Journal of Inclusive Education. (2021): Epub. Web.
B, Wyatt, et al. "Development of a Faculty Learning Community to Foster Inclusive Research Mentoring." The Journal of Faculty Development 25. (2021): 44-49. Print.
LV, Michel, et al. "Ampicillin triggers the release of Pal in toxic vesicles from Escherichia coli,." International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 56. 6 (2020): Epub. Web.
Michel, Lea V, et al. "Intranasal Coinfection Model Allows for Assessment of Protein Vaccines Against Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenzae in Mice." Journal of Medical Microbiology 67. (2018): 1527-1532. Web.
Gehret, Austin, Jessica Trussell, and Lea Vacca Michel. "Approaching Undergraduate Research with Students who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing." Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities. (2017): 1-20. Web.
Michel, Lea Vacca, et al. "Dual orientation of the outer membrane lipoprotein Pal in Escherichia coli." Microbiology 161. (2015): 1251-1259. Print.
Michel, Lea Vacca, et al. "Dual Orientation of the Outer Membrane Lipoprotein P6 of Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenzae." Journal of Bacteriology 195. (2013): 3252-3259. Print.
Craig, Paul A, Lea Vacca Michel, and Robert C Bateman. "A Survey of Educational Uses of Molecular Visualization Freeware." Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education 41. (2013): 193-205. Print.
Peterson, Jon E, et al. "VEGF, PF4 and PDGF are Elevated in Platelets of Colorectal Cancer Patients." Angiogenesis 15. (2012): 265-273. Print.
Chang, Arthur, et al. "Haemophilus Influenzae Vaccine Candidate Outer Membrane Protein P6 is not Conserved in All Strains." Human Vaccines 7. (2011): 102-105. Print.
Michel, Lea Vacca, et al. "Vaccine Candidate P6 of Nontypable Haemophilus Influenzae is not an Outer Membrane Protein Based on Protein Structural Analysis." Vaccine 29. (2011): 1624-1627. Print.
Provisional Patent
Michel, Lea Vacca and Judith Hellman. "Diagnosing Sepsis by Detecting Peptidoglycan Associated Lipoprotein (Pal) in urine." U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/757211. 8 Nov. 2018.
Full Patent
Pichichero, Michael, et al. "Compositions and methods related to P6." U.S. Patent 9101568. 11 Aug. 2015.
Published Article
eterson J.E., D. Zurakowski, J.E. Italiano, L.V. Michel, L. Fox, G.L. Klement, J. Folkman. “Normal ranges of angiogenesis regulatory proteins in human platelets.” American Journal of Hematology, 85 (2010): 487-493. Print. *

Currently Teaching

CHEM-301
Undergraduate Teaching Experience
1 - 3 Credits
This course allows students to assist in a class or laboratory for which they have previously earned credit. The student will assist the instructor in the operation of the course. Assistance by the student may include fielding questions, helping in workshops, and assisting in review sessions. In the case of labs, students may also be asked to help with supervising safety practices, waste manifestation, and instrumentation.
CHEM-493
Chemistry Research
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research in chemistry that could be considered of an original nature.
CHEM-495
Advanced Chemistry Research
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their final two years of study.
CHEM-780
Chemistry Project
1 - 4 Credits
Chemistry project accomplished by the MS student for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the project advisor.
CHEM-790
Research & Thesis
1 - 6 Credits
Dissertation research by the candidate for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
CHEM-799
Independent Study
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for a masters-level student.
CHMB-402
Biochemistry I
3 Credits
This course introduces the structure and function of biological macromolecules and their metabolic pathways. The relationship between the three-dimensional structure of proteins and their function in enzymatic catalysis will be examined. Membrane structure and the physical laws that apply to metabolic processes will also be discussed.
CHMB-403
Biochemistry II
3 Credits
This course will focus on advanced topics in biochemistry, using hands-on activities, in-class discussions, and review of relevant literature to explore the theory and applications behind current biochemical methods and concepts.
CHMB-405
Biochemistry Lab
3 Credits
An introduction to the theory and practice of modern experimental biochemical laboratory techniques and concepts. The weekly two-hour lecture provides a theoretical framework for the course and includes a discussion of the properties of biomolecules and how those properties are exploited in the separation and characterization of the molecules. Practical laboratory techniques include the preparation of buffers, centrifugation, chromatography, electrophoretic methods, and UV-visible spectrophotometry as applied to the isolation and characterization of proteins and nucleic acids. The manipulation of genetic material in E. coli will also be executed. This course will be offered in a writing intensive format where the students will write and submit the different sections found in scientific papers (abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusions, references, figures, tables) in an iterative fashion that will include regular feedback from the instructor.
CHMB-493
Biochemistry Research
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research in biochemistry that could be considered of an original nature.
CHMB-495
Advanced Biochemistry Research
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their final two years of study.

In the News

  • April 4, 2025

    Smiling scientist in lab coat standing in a laboratory with equipment and supplies.

    Michel works to bring inclusivity to the classroom and the lab

    Lea Michel’s commitment to mentorship, diversity, and hands-on learning reflects the same encouragement that once sparked her own path in STEM. She is being recognized for her impact with the 2025 Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching. 

  • April 15, 2024

    Aiden Miller is shown posing in front of their research which is hanging on a building window.

    Biochemistry student receives Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
    RIT third-year biochemistry student Aidan Miller has been awarded a Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the most prestigious undergraduate research scholarship in the United States, given to students pursuing a career in the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering.
More News