11/24/2025
Bringing chemistry to the community, one whiteboard at a time
Have you ever wondered why rain smells? Or why fireflies glow?
So have Brooke Weitzel and Noah Yocum, Discovery Scientists in the Center for Therapeutics Discovery. Together, they sparked an idea that's now a beloved fixture in the lab: a rotating whiteboard filled with fun, accessible chemistry facts.
The whiteboard faces the third-floor lobby of the Lerner Education Building, on the other side of the glass wall that separates lab space from passers-by. Each month, the board features bite-sized science tied to everyday life: the chemistry of pumpkins, the glow of fireflies or why hydrangeas change color. It’s become a joyful part of the lab’s culture, drawing smiles, thumbs-ups and spontaneous hallway conversations.
“It has created this unexpected sense of connection,” Weitzel says. “People stop, take pictures or wave. They're small gestures, but it brings us together.”
Weitzel discovered her love for biochemistry in college. A health science major turned biochemistry major at DePaul University, she found her calling in the lab, drawn to the detective work of chemistry and the creativity it demands. Now, she applies that same curiosity to her work in therapeutics development, targeting proteins and purifying compounds using techniques like NMR and separatory funnels. The whiteboard has become her unexpected outlet to reach patients and caregivers alike.
“There’s this stigma that you have to be ‘smart’ to understand chemistry but really, you just have to be curious,” she explains. “My goal is to make chemistry simple and relatable, so anyone can see it in their own life, whether it’s cooking with spices or admiring the glow of fireflies on a summer night.”
Weitzel’s passion for chemistry is matched by her love of soccer. A former collegiate player and now coach for her high school team in Chagrin Falls, she credits the sport with shaping her approach to science.
“Soccer taught me patience, teamwork and how to stay focused under pressure,” she says. “Those same skills help me in the lab, whether I’m troubleshooting a reaction or collaborating with my team.”