Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. David Laws III delivered this year’s Chandler Lecture, an academic lecture series hosted twice a year by the Philip Weltner Library.
Titled “Synthetic Nature: Where Does Medicine Come From,” Dr. Laws’s lecture explored the history of medicinal development, explaining how natural compounds can be isolated, analyzed and synthesized for mass markets.
Willow bark, for example, contains a compound known as “salicin,” which has been used commercially to manage pain and reduce fever. However, it is extremely inefficient to extract salicin from willow bark — especially for commercial use. Dr. Laws’s research explores how scientists can create medicinal compounds like salicin in laboratories, removing the need for high-energy, low-yield extractions.
Dr. Laws also discussed the history of drug regulations in the United States. As early as the 20th century, he explained, there were no federal laws protecting the public from ineffective, deceptive or even fatal medicines.
“It wasn’t until I started teaching The Core that I really became interested in the regulatory history of medicine,” said Dr. Laws in his lecture.
Last summer, Dr. Laws worked closely with Oglethorpe students to continue this work and establish strategies for isolating beneficial compounds. Chemistry students Emily Menéndez ’26 and Ben Van Doorn ’27 will present their research at the Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference on Nov. 7-8.
Established in 2018, the Chandler Lecture Series honors Thomas W. Chandler, who served as Director of the Philip Weltner Library from 1961 to 1985. Chandler was an important figure in the history of the university’s iconic library; he was responsible for moving the library from Lupton Hall to its current home in Lowry Hall and establishing the university’s archives.
Twice a year, the Chandler Lecture series invites the Oglethorpe community to learn about a faculty member’s area of academic interest. Open to all students, faculty and staff, the series offers attendees the opportunity to explore subjects that may fall outside their usual fields of study.
The Chandler Lecture series embodies the university’s commitment to intellectual curiosity and lifelong learning by creating dialogue free from academic boundaries.
