Alexander Lambert
Dr. Kristie Ruddick
In the fast-paced evolution of AI, its ease and accessibility has dramatically encouraged
the idea of learning from AI-teaching methods, which demands for an analysis of its
effectiveness in practice. While there has been a new influx of studies evaluating
the promise of AI as a learning tool, a study with findings of AI either enhancing
learning or spreading misinformation is extremely applicable in a scientific field
such as biochemistry, where the information is advanced and without much prior investigation.
Using a sample of undergraduate students in a biochemistry lecture, a group of half
of the students will act as a control against the other half using AI for an assignment
consisting of Bloom’s Taxonomy questions on a biochemistry topic. The effectiveness
in teaching will be defined by initial learning, through a second quiz administered
the next lecture, and retention, through the score on the next exam’s question regarding
the topic. This study hopes to provide guidance to those in chemistry education interested
in incorporating new technology into teaching methods for more in-depth individual
learning.
Hannah Bouchie
Dr. Elizabeth Fatilia
Lanthanide coordination complexes are important for understanding displacement chemistry
and the behavior of large, low charge density cations. Lanthanum hexafluoroacetylacetonate,
La(hfac)₃, serves as a versatile starting material as it readily forms stable complexes
with neutral donor ligands. This project examines the mechanochemical synthesis of
La(hfac)₃ complexes through substitution with bidentate donors: 1,2-dimethoxybenzene
(DMB), 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME), 2,3-dimethoxynaphthalene (DMN), and 1,10-phenanthroline
derivatives at one and two equivalents. Varying donor size and flexibility evaluates
how steric and electronic effects influence substitution pathways and product formation.
Products were characterized by NMR, IR, powder X-ray diffraction, and single-crystal
X-ray diffraction. Results show that donor bulk and flexibility significantly impact
complex formation, stability, and reproducibility. These findings improve understanding
of substitution in La³⁺ systems and will guide future studies on strontium analogues
and fluorescent properties for sensing and energy related applications.
Andrew Posey
Dr. Tianyu Li
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) were an incredible step for electrochemical energy storage
due to their high energy density and long-life cycle. However, with demand only going
up for such batteries and technology always looking to improve, development of advanced
electrodes material and more efficient syntheses techniques matches that growth. While
numerous high-performance materials have been found, difficulty arises in the process
of synthesis. Conventional solid state synthesis routes have setbacks of long processing
times, high energy consumption, and complex thermal profiles. Microwave assisted synthesis
has shown to be a promising alternative route, it offers rapid volumetric heating,
selective coupling with dielectric materials, and reduced reaction times. This method
allows for precise control of reaction temperature and duration, with the potential
to create phase pure and structurally optimized electrode material while producing
it at a lower energy input compared to conventional furnace-based methods. This study
aims to investigate the potential of microwave assisted synthesis of Mn rich spinel
cathode materials such as LiMn2O4, LiMnTiO4, LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO).
Callie Heitman
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Scott Poh
Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) is a polymorphic lipoprotein isoform strongly associated
with Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike most biomolecules, ApoE4 can cross the highly selective
blood–brain barrier (BBB), enabling potential targeted therapeutic delivery to the
central nervous system. This research investigates the molecular interactions between
ApoE4 and a set of ligands selected to probe differences in binding behavior, stability,
and chemical functionality. The primary objective is to use in-silico methods to
characterize which ligands can stably associate with ApoE4 and potentially co-traverse
the BBB. Ligand–protein binding was modeled through molecular docking simulations
to evaluate noncovalent interaction energies, hydrogen-bonding patterns, and conformational
stability within ApoE4 binding domains. By comparing predicted binding energies and
interaction profiles, this study seeks to clarify the chemical determinants governing
ApoE4 complex stability and transport behavior. Understanding these molecular interactions
may support more rational design of ligand-based delivery strategies for central nervous
system therapeutics.
Jasmine Hogan
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Sven Eklund
Recovery of silver from waste materials such as electronic waste typically uses methods like cyanide leaching and smelting, which pose serious environmental and safety risks. The use of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) extracted from vegetable oil has been shown as a promising environmentally friendly alternative. This research focuses on the use of PUFAs from fish oil, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are expected to have stronger coordination to silver than PUFAs from vegetable oil due to a higher degree of unsaturation. In this work, the EPA and DHA extracts from the saponification of Menhaden fish oil were characterized by infrared (IR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The EPA and DHA were then used to determine the rate of dissolution of silver from standard silver plate samples by measuring mass loss at predetermined time intervals. Selectivity was evaluated by comparing dissolution behavior of silver and lead under identical conditions. This study evaluates the effectiveness and metal selectivity of fish oil-derived PUFAs and explores their potential as a safer and more sustainable alternative to conventional silver recovery methods.
Christy Soileau
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Sven Eklund
Optically transparent wood is a step towards offering more energy-efficient and stronger windows as a building material in architecture. Presently, most fabrication methods utilize harsh chemicals to completely remove the lignin, causing a decrease in the wood's structural integrity. The new procedure outlined in this paper builds on a previous lignin-retaining treatment method by exploring the substitution of the chelating agent diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) with a stronger, more cost-effective chelating agent, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The AIBN initiator was also replaced with the non-gas-producing Luperox 231 to prevent bubbles from reducing optical clarity in the finished product. The effects of EDTA, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and Luperox are compared to the original DTPA, 4% hydrogen peroxide, and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) to evaluate their impact on optical clarity and mechanical performance.
Macie Yeagle
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Mengjia Liu
Supramolecular hydrogels possess reversible, dynamic, and self-healing properties that make them highly relevant in drug delivery applications. Among these, guanosine-based hydrogels are particularly compelling due to the intrinsic self-assembly capabilities, excellent biocompatibility, and low molecular weight of guanosine derivatives. This study aims to evaluate how molecular modification influences their self-assembly properties and elucidate the mechanism governing the formation of guanosine-derived supramolecular hydrogels. Comprehensive hydrogel characterization will be performed to determine how structural modifications modulate gelation behavior, stability, and mechanical properties. In particular, the introduction of a phenyl group is expected to extend π-conjugation, imparting interesting fluorescent characteristics. By establishing a direct relationship between molecular design and self-assembly behavior, this work aims to provide strategies for the rational design of guanosine-based supramolecular hydrogels for targeted drug delivery and controlled release of bioactive compounds.
Telemachus Kilpatrick
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Sven Eklund
Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are pervasive environmental pollutants that pose an array of risks to human health and the stability of aquatic ecosystems. In this study we expand upon a custom-built portable fluorescent microscope (PFM) for detecting and monitoring MNPs that is quick, inexpensive, and easy to execute in a variety of environments. Our PFM similarly uses a fluorescent signal emitted by MNPs coated with a luminescent metal-phenolic network (L-MPN). Fluorescent images from the PFM are processed by an algorithm that counts pixels in order to quantify the MNPs in standard and real-world samples. The robustness of our custom-built PFM was assessed by comparing its detection performance for L-MPNs containing the original fluorescent compound rhodamine B with umbelliferone, a natural fluorescent compound that is cheaper and has a higher quantum efficiency. Standard and real-world samples of MNPs showed an increased fluorescence intensity with umbelliferone L-MPNs compared to Rhodamine B L-MPNs, allowing for lower detection limits.
Carlee Carmello
LaSpace
Dr. Elisabeth Fatila
Cerium (Ce) is the most abundant and least expensive of the lanthanide series. Unlike other lanthanides, Ce can take on the 3+ or 4+ oxidation state. Ce3+ has an accessible 5d orbital, allowing for luminescence and improved catalysis. As a result, there has been increased interest in its use in catalysis, optical materials, and even medicine. This project aimed to synthesize and characterize Ce complexes containing neutral and anionic ligands in order to alter the oxidation state and indicate reactivity. We used electron donating and electron withdrawing ligands, including terpyridines, to determine when there was no reaction and if there was a change in oxidation state. Also, we investigated the effects of counter anions and their impact on Ce oxidation state. The complexes were synthesized both mechanochemically and in solution. The compounds were characterized using IR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal x-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). IR spectra of products indicate the formation of new complexes due to shifts from the ligand spectra.
Mackenzie Gray
Dr. Elisabeth Fatila
Because of the cost of acquiring, storing, and disposing of solvents, methods for solventless synthesis have become increasingly popular. Mechanochemistry is a green chemical process that allows for more efficient and sustainable methods of synthesis compared to traditional solvent methods. This process uses force through grinding, shearing, or impact to activate heat energy to induce chemical reactions. By replicating the chemical process of traditional solution-based reactions within the parameters of ball milling, this technique should provide a more effective reaction route. We seek to use mechanochemistry and apply it to transition metal coordination chemistry. Mechanochemically, these bonds can be broken and formed between the chemical components through minimal solvent use and impact force to form the desired product. Through characterization of the traditional solution based product and the mechanochemical product using Infrared Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction, it can be determined if the mechanochemical syntheses succeeded, and are a better alternative of these reactions based on solvent use and yields.
Connor Lambert
Dr. Sven Eklund
Gasoline spills are a significant environmental concern for contamination of nearby soil and groundwater. Effective detection and analysis of gasoline residues are crucial for environmental protection. This project compares two methods for the extraction and quantification of gasoline residues from contaminated soil samples collected near underground storage tanks at multiple gas stations. In the first method, the gasoline residue samples were extracted with acetone, then analyzed using gas chromatography with an FID detector to quantify the hydrocarbons. In the second method, the acetone extracted sample was allowed to wick onto a ClearShot filter membrane that retains hydrocarbons. The filter was then measured using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to quantify the hydrocarbons using the total -C-H stretching absorbance. Although both methods confirmed the presence of gasoline residues in the soil samples, the pros and cons of each method were assessed. These findings show the effectiveness of gas chromatography and infrared analysis as worthwhile tools for detecting gasoline contamination, which can be used for more effective soil monitoring and remediation efforts.
Anniston Hidalgo
Dr. Scott Poh
Antibiotic resistance is a global issue plaguing the healthcare sector. As it spreads, multidrug-resistant bacteria are becoming more prevalent. One remedy for this problem is the use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMPs are a promising alternative to antibiotics because they have high specificity and low toxicity. The two AMPs being studied are RIKA and RR. These AMPs are promising due to their high arginine residue content, which has antimicrobial effects because its positively charged side chain destabilizes the negatively charged bacterial cell membrane. This research aims to use various programs to analyze several properties of these AMPs. First, the AMPs’ 3D structures will be predicted using AlphaFold. Then, the peptides’ motion will be simulated using GROMACS. Trajectory analyses will be run with VMD to obtain the root mean square deviation (RMSD) and root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) for the AMPs. Next, a single lipid bilayer bacterial membrane of Streptococcus aureus will be predicted with CHARMM-GUI. Then, GROMACS will be used again to simulate the AMPs’ interactions with this membrane. Finally, VMD will be utilized to find the RMSD and RMSF for the simulations.
Kaden Brunson
Dr. Scott Poh
Laura Ajlani
Roy O. Martin
Dr. Scott Poh
Kamden Perkins
Louisiana Space Grant Consortium (LaSPACE)
Dr. Elisabeth Failia
Demand for rare earth element (REE) compounds is rising due to technological applications in magnets, electronics, and as potential theranostic agents. Understanding binding in the early lanthanide complexes can lead to new strategies for REE separation for technological applications or better designed radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment. While much work targets macrocycles because Ln3+ is labile in aqueous solution, we probe bidentate and tetradentate ligands bearing electron-withdrawing β-diketonates in less polar solvents. We report here thermodynamic binding constants for bidentate and tetradentate ligands coordinated to La3+ and Ce3+ using NMR spectroscopy. Through titrating neutral, organic La /Ce complexes with organic ligands, the binding constants of neutral N-donor ligands to displace equal denticity O-donor ligands have been determined. These results provide information regarding ligand substitution trends into the effect of steric bulk, bite angle, & electron transfer ability in organic solvents with varying polarity and coordination ability. These binding behaviors provide rules for binding preferences of REE ions and will lead to the development of new ligands.