Melody Oakes ‘26 | Chemistry major
One of the biggest takeaways from [my undergraduate research] was realizing that chemistry isn’t limited to a narrow set of fields, rather that it stretches into all kinds of areas. Knowing that my personal interests [in art] could overlap with chemistry in meaningful ways made me more confident when thinking about potential careers.
Melody Oakes ’26 is both an artist and a scientist—not a combination you happen upon every day. Using her left and right brain, Oakes has bridged her science skills with a love of art history through hands-on research in Saint Anselm College’s Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center. She hopes to pursue further research or graduate school after graduating and is eager to take her knowledge into a professional setting.
How did you decide to study chemistry?
From my freshman year to halfway through my junior year at Saint Anselm, I was certain I wanted to pursue a career in dentistry. However, around second semester of junior year, I began to feel that it wasn’t the right path for me.
What changed your mind?
I was unsure of what I wanted to do postgrad until one day in my Instrumental Analysis class with Professor Mary Kate Donais. We discussed how X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy can be applied to art research, and since I’d always had a great interest in art (both making it and learning about it,) I realized it could be a great opportunity. I was able to work with Professor Donais and connect my love for art with chemistry after conducting research with her over the summer and throughout the semester. I learned a lot and really came to enjoy research and now see it as a potential career option in my future.
When did you discover your love for art?
My love for art stemmed from when I was a little kid. I’ve been drawing ever since I could pick up a pencil and eventually began painting as well. It’s something that has always been with me and passed down from numerous generations on my mom’s side of family who were also artists. Art is one thing I have always felt confident in, especially in a world where being young comes with a lot of uncertainties about the future. I can always count on art as something I enjoy in life and get meaning out of.
What was your research focused on?
The research sessions could be divided into a couple of parts. The first part involved going into the field (in this case, to the Chapel Art Center) to collect data from the elements in the paint used in the murals to learn more about the College’s history. We did this using the XRF instrument. The second part was applying the knowledge we gathered about pigment compositions, their production timelines, and color theory to the scans we took. That allowed us to make hypotheses about which pigments were used in artworks based on our findings.
What is the biggest thing you’ve learned from this research?
One of the biggest takeaways from this experience was realizing that chemistry isn’t limited to a narrow set of fields, rather that it stretches into all kinds of areas. I was surprised to learn I could use my chemistry degree and work with art simultaneously! Knowing that my personal interests could overlap with chemistry in meaningful ways made me more confident when thinking about potential careers.
How has this research prepared you for your postgraduate endeavors?
Though I am still figuring out exactly what path I will take following my undergraduate degree, this research gave me specific experience in the kind of work I think I would like to pursue moving forward. I was able to work on campus over the summer to conduct this type of research, and helped Professor Donais refresh a lab handout for a class that is taught in the Chemistry and Forensic Science Department. Throughout my senior year, I gained more experience in a "field setting” for this type of research, mainly at the Chapel Art Center. That really helped me gain an appreciation for the work that goes into understanding artwork.
How has Saint Anselm specifically given you positive research experience?
Being at Saint Anselm allowed me to work closely with my professors, like Professor Donais, and understand what it’s like to organize research in a collaborative but also independent setting. That is not something that all undergraduate students get when gaining research experience at college.
What would you like to pursue after Saint Anselm?
Right now, I’m am really interested in pursuing art conservation or cultural heritage analysis that uses chemistry applications. I’ll either continue gaining undergraduate experience in art history and work toward a master’s in art conservation, or pursue a master’s in chemistry (likely analytical chemistry) with a focus on cultural heritage research.