Graduate Research Highlights

  • “February 2024: Mayuresh Janpandit.”
    3/18/24

    My research is centered around developing stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers for NaK alloy batteries. To achieve this, we use in situ characterization techniques to determine the composition of the SEI layer. Additionally, I am involved in studying the electro-Fenton process for generating hydroxyl radicals which can help degrade Perfluoroalkyl substances in water.

  • “January 2024: Blessing Ogboo.”
    1/19/24

    My research focuses on understanding the molecular factors that enhance a compounds activity against a protein in drug discovery and development. Specifically, I develop and study inhibitors of NADPH Oxidases and Epidermal growth factor receptor, to understand the structural features that enable the development of potent inhibitors against these enzymes for the treatment of several diseases.

  • “December 2023: Ananya Saju.”
    1/11/24

    My research focuses on synthesis of bench stable manganese(III) precursor complexes for exploring the chemistry of high valent manganese. I investigate the coordination chemistry and reactivity of these complexes in an effort to demonstrate their utility.

  • “November 2023: Lahiruni M. Halwatura”
    12/12/23

    My research primarily focuses on the analysis of emerging contaminants and other biomarkers for assessing community health through wastewater-based epidemiology. In particular, the development of effective sample preparation techniques for the analysis of complex aqueous environmental matrices using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) methods. 

  • “October 2023: Nicholas Stavinski”
    12/8/23

    Broadly, our research examines the surfaces and interfaces of waste plastic chemistry using visible, mid-, and near-infrared spectroscopy. We seek to gain a more fundamental understanding of these “messy” materials to advance autonomous recycling technologies and enhance the polymer circular economy.

  • “September 2023: Ming Fang”
    10/25/23

    I am interested in researching the development and application of bioorthogonal reagents, particularly hydrazonyl sultones, which are stable tautomers of nitrile imines. My focus is on using these reagents for selective protein modifications in both solutions and live cells to answer biological questions.

  • “August 2023: Sanchita Paul.”
    8/18/23

    My research primarily discusses the synthesis and characterization of highly reactive novel zinc(II) and manganese(II) complexes towards catalytic hydrogenation of selected polar substrates. Currently, I am working on exploring the coordination chemistry of the recently discovered bench-stable Mn(III) trichlorido complex in our lab alongside stabilizing highly reactive Zn(II) and Ti(IV) centers with organophosphorus compounds.

  • “July 2023: Brandon Salazar”
    7/20/23

    My research focuses on the development of hydrolytically stable phenylenediamine-modified silica particles for chromatographic applications. Another research focus is the study of diarylethene-based photoswitches using liquid and supercritical fluid chromatography.