Research in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry was back to normal this summer. The labs of analytical chemist Dr. Muna, biochemist Dr. Rizk, and organic chemist Dr. Clear were all bustling with activity. Most of the students were supported financially by internal SMART grants, LSAMP grants, and even by the faculty member's research grants. The picture above shows Muna's team (left to right): Ushindia Muna, Dr. Muna, Naseem Alfadhl, Lucas Robinson, and Emily Barrera. Can you spot all of the elements in the research descriptions below?
Chemistry major Naseem Alfadhl studied the electrochemical behavior of the biologically important aminothiols cysteine and homocysteine on glassy carbon electrodes modified with a gold (Au) film. Aminothiols, like the more general thiols contain sulfur (S). The effect of the film thickness on performance was determined by measuring the deposition time and potential on the analytical signal from the aminothiols. The goal is to develop a method suitable for detecting aminothiols in real samples such as urine and plasma.
High school student Ushindi Muna (yes, Dr. Muna's son) worked to develop a calorimetric method using gold nanoparticles that can ultimately determine lead content in soils. In presence of rhodizonic acid, which reacts with lead (Pb), one can observe specific peak signatures with intensities that are dependent on lead concentration.
Biochemistry major Emily Barrera and chemistry major Lucas Robinson worked on very similar projects. They both worked to develop a sensitive method to detect lead and cadmium (Cd) by employing metallic films on a glassy carbon electrode: a single film of antimony (Sb) for Barrera and a bimetallic film prepared by consecutively electrodepositing antimony (Sb) followed by bismuth (Bi) for Robinson. Antimony and bismuth were used as safer alternatives to toxic mercury (Hg) which has traditionally been used to detect lead. Performance was optimized by examining the effect of the deposition time (thickness) and potential on the electrochemical behavior of the metal coating on the glassy carbon electrode. This analytical method was tested for detecting lead in soil samples and will be used to determine lead and cadmium in local soil and water samples in the fall.
