Kyle Bristow always had a broad appreciation for science and math, but Clemson University helped him turn that interest into a focused career path.
Bristow graduates with a departmental honors degree in chemistry and a minor in biological sciences this week and plans to pursue a Ph.D. before entering a career in pharmaceutical research.
His family’s background in chemistry and immunology (both his uncle and grandfather were vice presidents in the biopharmaceutical industry) first introduced him to the field. Multiple research experiences at UNC Chapel Hill confirmed his desire to pursue science to help solve real-world problems.
At Clemson, that interest found a home in the lab of chemistry professor Julia Brumaghim, where Bristow has worked on research tied to NASA-supported efforts to understand how galactic cosmic radiation affects astronauts during long-term space travel.
Troubleshooting
“Most of research is troubleshooting,” he said. Unlike class labs, where outcomes are known in advance, lab research requires persistence through repeating experiments, adjusting conditions and interpreting results that don’t always align cleanly. That process, Bristow said, is what made the experience valuable.
He joined Brumaghim’s lab in the spring of his sophomore year at the recommendation of a classmate. At the time, he was still exploring where his interests in science would take him.
A key focus of Bristow’s research has been high-charge, high-energy (HZE) ions, which are capable of damaging biomolecules by stripping electrons and forming reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals. HZE ions are components of galactic radiation and can cause significant oxidative DNA damage.
Faster method
His work focused on designing a faster, more efficient method to screen antioxidant compounds, particularly polyphenols, that could act as radioprotectants. The goal is not just to identify useful compounds, but also to understand why they work.
“(HZE ions) make up only 1 to 2% of galactic cosmic radiation, but they account for the majority of biological damage,” he said.
While most people won’t go to space, Bristow said the research is valuable because oxidative stress is linked to diseases on Earth such as cancer, cataracts, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
His research led to Bristow’s receiving the 2026 Outstanding Undergraduate Biochemistry or Chemical Biology Student award from the American Chemical Society Division of Biochemistry and Chemical Biology. This year, he also received the Clemson Department of Chemistry’s Senior Researcher Award.
Bristow has presented his work multiple times, including oral presentations at national American Chemical Society conferences and regional scientific meetings. He is currently writing a manuscript on his research.
Outside the classroom and the lab, Bristow helped establish the Clemson chapter of Delta Tau Delta and served in a leadership role on its Honor Board.
This fall, he will begin work on his Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin, where he plans to continue in bioinorganic chemistry before ultimately pursuing a career in pharmaceutical research.
“You can impact a lot of people through research,” he said.
