B.S. in Biochemistry — Youngstown State University (2020) Ph.D. in Chemistry — The University of Tennessee (2025, Advisor: Joshua A. Baccile)
Dillon works to define how acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) interact with cellular membranes, metabolites, and proteins to understand how these interactions shape membrane remodeling and quorum sensing signaling in P. aeruginosa. Dillon completed his graduate work in the laboratory of Joshua Baccile, where he developed cell-permeable analogs of isopentenyl and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (IPP and DMAPP, respectively) to interrogate isoprenoid metabolism in human cancer cell lines and Bacillus subtilis. Beyond chemistry, he enjoys sparring in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mountain biking.