GRADUATE RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

August 2020: Didar Asik

Didar Asik.

Didar Asik, 5th-year Ph.D. student in Prof. Morrow's group

NOTABLE RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Asik, D.; Smolinski, R.; Abozeid, S.M.; Mitchell, T.B.; Turowski, S.G.; Spernyak, J. A.; Morrow, J.R.; Modulating of the properties of Fe(III) macrocyclic MRI contrast agents by appending sulfonate or hydroxyl groups. Molecules, 25(10), 2291, 2020.
  • Abozeid, S. M.; Asik, D.; Sokolow, G. E.; Lovell, J.; Nazarenko, A.; Morrow, J. R.; Co (II) Complexes as Liposomal CEST Agents. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2020.
  • Patel, A.; Asik, D.; Snyder, E. M.; Delillo, A. E.; Cullen, P. J.; Morrow, J. R.,  Binding and release of Fe (III) complexes from glucan particles for delivery of T1 MRI contrast agents. ChemMedChem, 2020.
  • Snyder, E. M.; Asik, D.; Abozeid, S.M.; Burgio, A.; Bateman, G.; Turowski, S. G.; Spernyak, J. A.; Morrow, J. R.; A Class of Fe(III) Macrocyclic Complexes with Alcohol Donor Groups as Effective T1 MRI Contrast Agents. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.,59, 2414-2419, 2019.
  • Patel, A.; Asik, D.; Spernyak, J. A.; Cullen, P.J.; Morrow, J. R.;MRI and fluorescence studies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae loaded with a bimodal Fe(III) T1 contrast agent. J. Inorg. Biochem., 201, p. 110832, 2019.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT

My research focuses on designing, synthesizing and the characterization of Fe(III) macrocyclic complexes as T1 MRI contrast agents. I utilize NMR and MRI methods for characterization of complexes in vitro and in mice.

I appreciate being a graduate student at UB because it has improved me, not only scientifically but also personally and made me a more confident and independent researcher.

The reasons that I like my research are being part of a diverse and respectful team as well as collaboration opportunities with my colleagues and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. I have always enjoyed working and learning new analytical techniques in the Chemistry Instrumentation Center that has been a very friendly and supportive environment.

Additionally, working as a teaching assistant for General Chemistry courses was one my most favorite experiences at UB. I have realized how much I like to teach and help students. I learned from my students more than they did from me.

I will always be proud of being part of this inclusive, supportive and caring UB chemistry community!

Outside of the lab, I like to spend my time with my friends and family, walking and cycling in the parks, reading novels under a tree and listening to music 24/7 ( If don’t listen, I sing :-) ).

CONGRATULATIONS DIDAR!

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