Jason worked with Dr. Magnus Palmblad to optimize the interface between liquid chromatography and a new quantitative detection method based on ion energy loss. Specifically, the conditions for depositing the eluent from the liquid separations were systematically evaluated and optimized for standard mixtures. He had the opportunity to work with a state-of-the-art nano/micro-liquid chromatography system and a programmable robotic system for the deposition of the eluent.

Caci worked with Drs. Liyuan Mou and Wayne Brouillette at the University of Alabama at Birmingham on antibiotic research. She worked on the synthesis of a compound which may be useful as an antibacterial agent specific to Group B Streptococci, a well known human pathogen. She presented a poster on her work at the Regional Meeting of the ACS in Raleigh, NC in fall 2004. For the abstract, look here.

Also, Caci enjoyed a semester of research as part of the NASA Undergraduate Student Research Program at Goddard Space Flight Center. There she worked with Dr. Marla Moore in the Astrochemistry branch studying the radiation effects of cosmic rays on methane ice. Solid methane is believed to be on Pluto and Neptune's moon Triton as well as on comets found in the Oort Cloud. As the ice is bombarded by cosmic rays, the molecules break apart and reform more complex organics. She plans to present her work at the National Meeting of the ACS in San Diego, CA this spring.  For this abstract, look here.

Anthony Leonard spent the summer at Virginia Tech working with Drs. Harry Dorn and Jim Duchamp researching the application of fullerenes (buckyballs) containing the metal gadolinium for medical MRI. Results were promising; the fullerene derivative showed an increase in r1 and r2 relaxivity effectivness of at least an order of magnitude in comparison with commercially available contrast agents, which will help facilitate increased sensitivity in future MRI applications. He also helped teach the short course on the synthesis and applications of fullerenes and other nanomaterials to a group from the Appalachian College Association. He presented his research to the VPI Deptartment of Chemistry at the end of the REU program.

Daniel worked with Dr. Ambrose Leong where selective mono-oxidation of diols to ketol was carried out, using sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in the form of commercially available household bleach “Clorox� under acidic conditions (at pH 1-2) and temperature between 0 C and 5 C. The reactions gave good yields for 2-hydroxycyclohexanone and 4-hydroxycyclohexanone. Since Clorox oxidation is inexpensive and environmentally friendly, this selective method of oxidation is a unique and efficient alternative to chromic acid and other methods of oxidation.

Lesley worked with Dr. T. Daniel Crawford determining the theoretical optical rotation values for (P)-[4]triangulane. Her work will be published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society; see the abstract here.  She also presented her research to the VPI Department of Chemistry at the end of the REU program.