AEI 62

My research interests focus on utilizing a variety of spectroscopic techniques (e.g., UV-visible, FTIR, Raman, LC-MS), to study the thermodynamics and kinetics of ligand-receptor interactions of inorganic moieties in biology. The sequestration and transport of inorganic groups, from single metal ions to more complex anions, is critical to the survival of every organism. Spectroscopy provides the unique capability of probing these interactions both from the perspective of the ligand (i.e., UV-visible spectrum of a bound versus unbound metal) or from the receptor (i.e., protein side chain fluorescence quenching or changes in bond vibrations of small molecule receptors). This research is relevant to the broad scientific community, but remains accessible with techniques utilized at an undergraduate level. The nature and impact of these studies provide relevance to biological, inorganic and analytical chemistry, and also demonstrates the lack of boundaries between these disciplines.

While pursuing these research endeavors with motivated undergraduates (and master's students), a significant emphasis of my career goals includes instruction both through lecturing and laboratory development. Throughout my graduate career, I have explored unique opportunities to expand my teaching portfolio, both by designing and implementing an original course into the Duke University curriculum, as well as volunteering in-house and at ACS sponsored chemical demonstration shows. These experiences have served to expand my pedagogical interests, enabling the development of a “teaching first” plan which I hope to share with a quality undergraduate-focused institution.