Aaron Esser-Kahn '00 to deliver Cum Laude Keynote September 26
On Thursday, September 27, Aaron Esser-Kahn ’00 will deliver the keynote address at the Fall 2024 Cum Laude Induction. Esser-Kahn is a Professor at the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and heads up the Esser Kahn Lab, His research interests lie at the intersection of biology, chemistry and materials science.
While a student at Cranbrook, Esser Kahn played varsity lacrosse, competed in forensics, and was a member of Cabinet. Many of his extracurriculars weren't official organizations, including being a founding member of the first CK sketch comedy troupe and taking college genetics at Oakland University. A CK "lifer," he attended the school from kindergarten to graduation. He excelled in biology but also enjoyed his English classes.
After Cranbrook, Esser-Kahn studied chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. He completed his PhD in chemistry at UC Berkeley and worked as a post-doctoral scholar in the Autonomous Materials Systems Group at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He then began his independent career at the University of California, Irvine. In 2017, he and his lab moved to be part of the Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago. There he has been working in two areas – synthetic approaches to vaccine design and biomimetic approaches to materials. Recent work at the Esser Kahn Lab has led to the discovery of several small molecule candidates that induce trained immunity in cells without the potential side effects of other methods.
While a student at Cranbrook, Esser Kahn played varsity lacrosse, competed in forensics, and was a member of Cabinet. Many of his extracurriculars weren't official organizations, including being a founding member of the first CK sketch comedy troupe and taking college genetics at Oakland University. A CK "lifer," he attended the school from kindergarten to graduation. He excelled in biology but also enjoyed his English classes.
After Cranbrook, Esser-Kahn studied chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. He completed his PhD in chemistry at UC Berkeley and worked as a post-doctoral scholar in the Autonomous Materials Systems Group at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He then began his independent career at the University of California, Irvine. In 2017, he and his lab moved to be part of the Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago. There he has been working in two areas – synthetic approaches to vaccine design and biomimetic approaches to materials. Recent work at the Esser Kahn Lab has led to the discovery of several small molecule candidates that induce trained immunity in cells without the potential side effects of other methods.
Esser-Kahn will spend time on campus interacting with student groups and classes prior to speaking at the Cum Laude event. His address will be recorded and made available to alumni following the event.
Return to the Alumni Welcome Page
Return to the Alumni Welcome Page
-
-
Aaron Esser-Kahn '00
-
Contact Us
PO Box 801
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303
(248) 645-3000
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303
(248) 645-3000
