As Zoey Lockwood ‘21 prepared to graduate from high school, her future seemed clear: she was all set to start working toward a nursing degree at Case Western Reserve University. When her father was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, however, her world turned upside down.
With the need to stay closer to her dad in Lexington, Ohio, Lockwood decided to enroll at Ashland University. “We actually called the university a week before the semester started,” she recalls. “They were like, absolutely, we can get you started right away. This should’ve been my first clue about just how amazing my experience at Ashland would be.”
Lockwood had always been sure she wanted to work in healthcare. But two years into her father’s diagnosis and remission, several transformative classroom experiences led her to discover a true passion for research. The first spark of inspiration hit while taking Dr. Steven Boyer’s Chemistry class, a basic science requirement that unexpectedly captivated her. While working part-time at a local CVS pharmacy, she began a project on one of the drugs she dispensed, realizing how lab research translated into real-world health benefits. “It was eye-opening,” she says. “I started to connect the dots between what I was learning in class and the impact it could have on people’s lives.”
Realizing her growing interest in chemistry and research, Lockwood changed her academic focus. During this time, she found invaluable mentorship from faculty members like Dr. Nicholas Johnson, whose guidance and support were crucial in her decision to pursue graduate school. Her Quantitative Analysis lab with Dr. Perry Corbin also solidified her dedication to research. “They believed in me and pushed me to realize my potential. Their support helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my life,” she explains.
At Ashland, Lockwood took every opportunity to grow, including presenting at the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URCA) symposium. This experience, she says, dramatically improved her ability to communicate her research’s details and impact to both experts and laypeople. Alongside her academic achievements, she became actively involved in clubs across campus and graduated from the University’s Honors Program in three years. Even as a commuter, she built lasting friendships with fellow students who shared her enthusiasm for chemistry and research—bonds that have remained strong even after graduation.
Now, Lockwood is a doctoral candidate at Case Western Reserve University, aiming to graduate in 2026. Her research focuses on developing innovative drug delivery methods for cancer treatment, a field with the potential to save countless lives.
“Just like the people who developed the drugs that helped my dad go into remission,” she says, “I hope that 20 years from now people will be surviving cancer through my research.”
Beyond her studies, Lockwood is committed to giving back. Her talk at Ashland’s URCA symposium in 2024 inspired current students to pursue research and was met with great enthusiasm. “Talking to students and seeing their excitement about research reminds me of my own journey,” she says. “I want to show them that the challenges they face today can propel them toward a successful and fulfilling career. It felt like I gave them some hope.”
Zoey Lockwood’s story is one of resilience, adaptability and inspiration. Her journey from nursing aspirations to pioneering research in chemistry demonstrates the power of seizing unexpected opportunities and turning them into a force for good. “Looking back, I realize that the challenges I faced helped shape who I am today,” she says. “It’s incredible to think about the impact we can have when we push through and embrace the opportunities available.”
