Chemistry Alumni in Action
Alexandra Bouza '15
What do you do for your job and what do you find exciting about it?
I work as a Patent Agent preparing and prosecuting patent applications directed to biotechnology and pharmaceutical inventions. In addition, my colleagues and I conduct analyses that help clients (e.g., biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, universities) better understand the patent landscape around their technical space of interest, often to inform business decisions. What I find most exciting about working in Patent and Intellectual Property (IP) law is that I am always learning about new areas of biology on the forefront of innovation!
How did your GVSU Chemistry/Biochemistry degree help you prepare for your current career?
My GVSU Chemistry degree provided me with the solid foundational knowledge required, not only for success as a graduate student, but also for my current role in Patent & IP Law! On a daily basis, I review data sets that support new patent applications and scientific literature. Further, Patent Agents are consistently required to formulate legal arguments based on scientific principles. The wonderful research opportunities at GVSU's Department of Chemistry also provided me with important training in oral and written scientific communication which are critical in working in Patent & IP Law.
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