April 2023: Elizabeth Kras

Elizabeth Kras, 6th-year PhD student in Dr. Morrow's lab

• Pinti, J.C.*; Kras, E.A.*; Patel, A.; Schrier, C.L.; Stoj, C.S.; Morrow, J.R. Magnetization of Yeast by Labeling with Iron Complexes: An Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment. J. Chem. Educ. 2022, 99, 11, 3752 – 3756. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c00791
  * = these authors contributed equally.
• Kras, E.A.; Snyder, E.M.; Sokolow, G.E.; Morrow, J.R. Distinct Coordination Chemistry of Fe(III)-Based MRI Probes. Acc. Chem. Res. 2022, 55, 10, 1435 – 1444. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00102
• Kras, E.A.; Abozeid, S.M.; Eduard, W.; Spernyak, J.A.; Morrow, J.R. Comparison of phosphonate, hydroxypropyl and carboxylate pendants in Fe(III) macrocyclic complexes as MRI contrast agents. J. Inorg. Biochem. 2021, 225, 111594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111594

My research is focuses on the design and development of novel iron (III) macrocyclic compounds for use at T1 MRI contrast agents. Currently, I am focused on studying how changing a single coordinating pendant effects the relaxivity of these compounds by using variable field strength NMR and MRI.

I enjoy being a part of such a welcoming and cooperative department. I feel whether it’s another graduate student or faculty, everyone is willing to talk with you and help out where they can. I have also made some of my best friends through fellow students in the department.

Outside of the lab I enjoy playing dungeons and dragons, doing puzzles, and watching ice hockey as often as I can.