As a senior Leah Wiebe prepares to compete at the Head of the Charles, the largest three-day rowing regatta in the world, on Sunday, Oct. 18, in Boston, she carries with her the same curiosity, discipline and determination that have shaped her work in the laboratory.
 
A standout member of the William Smith rowing team and a biochemistry major, Wiebe brought those qualities to Harvard University over the summer as an Amgen Scholar, conducting research in organic chemistry.
 
"Leah loves solving problems, and she brings the same curiosity and staying power to the boat that she brings to her chemistry research," said Head Coach Paul Bugenhagen.
 
A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Wiebe has rowed primarily in the first or second varsity eight since arriving on campus. During the 2025-26 season, she helped the varsity eight win the Liberty League Championship, earn Liberty League Crew of the Year honors and capture bronze at the NCAA Division III Rowing Championships. Balancing the demands of collegiate athletics with a rigorous academic schedule, she has distinguished herself both on the water and in the classroom.
 
This will be Wiebe's third time racing at the Head of the Charles. As a sophomore, she helped the varsity four finish sixth in a field of 40 crews. As a first-year, she was in the varsity eight that placed 29th out of 35 crews in the women's collegiate eights event.
 
"What stands out to me most is that she doesn't treat rowing, research and mentoring as separate accomplishments," said Bugenhagen. "For Leah it is one pursuit, becoming her best self."
 
That pursuit continued this past summer at Harvard, where Wiebe spent 10 weeks in the laboratory with Sheldon Emery Professor of Chemistry Eric Jacobsen, a leading organic chemist whose research focuses on asymmetric catalysis. Selected for the highly competitive Amgen Scholars Program, she joined undergraduate researchers from across the country for an immersive experience in scientific discovery.
 
In the lab, Wiebe contributed to a project exploring new approaches to synthesizing nucleoside analogues, compounds used in many antiviral and anticancer medications. Her work involved planning and conducting experiments, analyzing data and collaborating with fellow researchers.
 
The opportunity grew out of connections at HWS. Wiebe first learned about the Amgen Scholars Program through a list of summer research opportunities shared by Scott MacPhail, director of health professions and fellowships advising. Professors Erin Pelkey and Justin Miller provided guidance and encouragement throughout the application process.
 
"Professor Pelkey and Professor Miller were instrumental in helping me talk through the opportunities available to me," Wiebe said. "They helped me move confidently into my research project and were incredibly supportive throughout the application process."
 
The experience allowed Wiebe to deepen her understanding of organic chemistry while learning from scientists at the forefront of the field. It also offered a closer look at the collaboration, persistence and creativity that drive scientific discovery.
 
Wiebe has earned Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete and Liberty League All-Academic honors for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. As a team captain and athletic study mentor, she has also expanded her impact beyond competition and research by helping her teammates succeed.
 
From the water to the chemistry lab, Wiebe's experiences reflect a commitment to continual learning and collective achievement. Her summer at Harvard provided an opportunity to apply the knowledge she developed at HWS to complex scientific questions while exploring potential pathways in research and medicine.