Irelynn Mullen ’25 - Rivier Student Researcher

Taking a Chance on Chemistry

For Irelynn Mullen ’25, an unexpected passion sparked in the chemistry lab turned into a professional career. A Rivier University graduate, Mullen double-majored in Biology and Psychology and served as president of the Biology Club. Today, she works as an Upstream Production Chemist at LGC Standards in Manchester, N.H.

“I never thought I would get into chemistry,” Mullen says. “But my professor, Dr. Brian Patenaude, formerly the Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Rivier, encouraged me to pursue a chemistry internship, and I thought it would be a great experience to add to my resume.”

Her year-long internship began in June 2023, where she worked as a student researcher alongside Dr. Patenaude in Rivier’s organic chemistry laboratory in the Science and Innovation Center. There, Mullen discovered her passion for chemistry not by memorizing concepts, but in the focused, hands-on nature of the work.

“Much of the lab work during my internship involved handling chemicals or hazardous materials,” Mullen says. “It prepared me for my current role, where I work daily with a lot of corrosive acids. Having that prior knowledge of pouring chemicals correctly, proper techniques, and safety handling helped me in learning how to work in a lab.”

At LGC Standards, Mullen helps produce reference materials used to calibrate scientific instruments and ensure accurate testing results. Whether made with precise amounts of metals such as copper, gold, nickel, or cobalt, these customized standards serve as benchmarks that laboratories and manufacturers use to verify measurements and product quality.

During her internship, as part of Rivier’s partnership with the New Hampshire IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (NH‑INBRE), Mullen presented a biomedical research project with Dr. Patenaude and other faculty members. She also practiced her public‑speaking skills by presenting her research at academic conferences, including the Transformative Learning Conference at the University and the NH‑INBRE conference hosted by Dartmouth College at Mount Washington.

Working every day in the labs on Rivier’s campus, Mullen gained essential experience conducting scientific research, developing laboratory techniques, and applying classroom concepts in an industry-relevant setting.

“Rivier helped me gain the confidence to move forward in my career,” she says. “The people I met, especially my professors, were incredibly supportive, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

Mullen credits the real-world laboratory work in her courses and internship at the University with expanding her learning beyond the classroom. Together, these opportunities pushed her outside her comfort zone and advanced both personal and professional growth, deepening her interest in chemistry while strengthening her ability to communicate research and develop practical skills that support her role today and wherever her career leads.