Single Father Draws Inspiration from Daughter in Pursuing Chemistry Degree.

At least, that’s the advice Joe Dalessandro’s 6-year-old daughter Audrey has for her busy dad, who will graduate from Rutgers–Camden on May 23 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.

Dalessandro, a Woodbury resident, is a single father who is raising young Audrey while working toward his goal of one day teaching college chemistry and mentoring young people just as he has been mentored at Rutgers–Camden. He says his daughter keeps him motivated.

“She’s my biggest inspiration,” says Dalessandro, 26, who came to Rutgers–Camden after transferring from Gloucester County College. “I wouldn’t be here without her.”

Dalessandro admits that balancing his responsibilities as a student with being a dad can be a challenge, but it’s one he has accepted and embraced.

“My parents have been a huge help and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my family,” he says. “There have been a lot of late nights, but it’s been worth it. One night, Audrey asked me why I was listening to music while doing homework. I told her it helps me concentrate. She said that whenever she hears music, she just has to dance.”

It’s a small reminder to enjoy the moment.

At Rutgers–Camden, Dalessandro found his niche as an undergraduate research assistant for George Kumi, an assistant professor of chemistry. His primary research focus has been in microfluidics, the science of designing and manufacturing devices and processes that deal with volumes of fluid.

Dalessandro has developed a device to produce calcium oxalate — a major component of kidney stones — so that he can study how it grows.

“The work has taught me a lot of patience and many skills that will be necessary for future research,” he says. “Many students seeking advanced degrees might be doing lab research for the first time, so it’s nice to be able to gain that experience as an undergraduate.”

Dalessandro says he was attracted to Rutgers–Camden because it’s a small campus and “you have the privilege of getting to know faculty members and classmates well while doing research with them throughout the year.”

He adds, “I fell in love with research here and because of Rutgers–Camden, I’ve been inspired to do even more research and one day teach at the college level.”

Following his Rutgers–Camden commencement, Dalessandro plans to pursue his Ph.D. in chemistry at Temple University. It’ll be a new challenge to embrace, one dance step at a time.