Yichun Yuan, a MS student in our group, graduated today! Yichun worked on the synthesis and characterization of ligand-modified coumarin enamines for transition metal binding, in collaboration with theWallace group at the University of Southern Mississippi. Yichun will move to the PhD program at Case Western Reserve University in Fall 2023. Congratulations Yichun!

Yifei Xu, a PhD student in our group, successfully defended her dissertation today! In our group, Yifei developed several differential sensing applications, centering on the detection and discrimination of anions in water media (e.g. biological carboxylates, beta-lactam antibiotics). Yifei was also the first in our group to move her sensor systems to low-cost disposable solid supports, to improve their performance and application-friendliness. Yifei is now off to a position as a Senior QA Chemist at a drug manufacturing company in her native China. Congratulations Dr. Xu!

Yichun Yuan, a first-year student in our group, held her first meeting with her graduate dissertation committee this morning. Yichun presented her work on functionalization of PAMAM dendrimers with boronic acids with different substitution patterns, and her plans for her future work in our group. Congratulations, Yichun!

Michael Ihde, a PhD student in our group, successfully defended his dissertation today! His work in our group focused on the development of our understanding of supramolecular interactions as used in differential sensing applications. In his work, Michael contributed to the development of array-based sensing systems for multiple classes of analytes, including metal ions, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and industrial dyes. He also made significant progress towards solving the "problem of mixtures", i.e. a common shortcoming of such sensing systems when confronted with mixtures of analytes. Congratulations Dr. Ihde!

​Yichun Yuan joined our group as a new graduate student. Yichun graduated with a BEng from Beijing University of Chemical Technology and a MS from Case Western Reserve University, then briefly worked as a research assistant at the University of Akron after deciding to continue her studies towards a PhD with us. Yichun will focus on the study of covalent modification of PAMAM dendrimers. We are excited for her to come onboard and to bring further synthetic polymer chemistry experience to the group. Welcome Yichun!

​Xiyuan, a graduate student in the group, successfully passed her oral candidacy exam at the end of May, presenting an update on her research since her initial review last year, and an original proposal. Xiyuan is now a Ph.D. candidate: congratulations!

​Flor successfully completed her initial research review (IRR) today, presenting the work she carried out on the analytical pattern-based detection of redox-active materials (e.g. antioxidants) in water. Congratulations Flor!

Xiaoli Liang, a PhD student in our group, successfully defended her dissertation today! Xiaoli also recently accepted a position as a postdoctoral researcher in the Gillies research group at the University of Western Ontario. Congratulations Dr. Liang, and best wishes for your future career!

Michael Ihde, a fourth-year student in our group, was notified today that he was selected to give an oral presentation on his research at the 2019 Physical Organic Gordon Research Seminar, taking place right before the corresponding GRC on June 22-23. Congratulations Michael!

Flor Lozada Santiago is a first year graduate student in our group. She was previously an REU researcher with us in Summer 2017. Flor was recently recognized with the Outstanding First-Year Graduate Student award from our Department. This award recognizes excellence and dedication in teaching among our first-year graduate students. Congratulations Flor!

Yifei, a graduate student in the group, successfully passed her oral candidacy exam at the end of March, presenting an original proposal on the use of modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles for photo-controlled guest molecule storage and release. Yifei is now a Ph.D. candidate: congratulations!

Nick defended his dissertation today! Congratulations Nick! 
Here's a picture of his graduation ceremony at Fall Commencement in December 2018:

Michael successfully defended his original research proposal today and is officially a Ph.D. candidate. Congratulations Michael!

Flor Lozada Santiago from the Universidad Interamericana in Puerto Rico was an REU student in our group in summer 2017. Flor then went back to PR to finish her degree, and graduated this May 2018 summa cum laude. She was also selected to receive the John Will Harris Medal, her alma mater's highest academic recognition. Flor will start her graduate studies at UA this summer. Congratulations Flor!

Gabrielle Covey, a student from UA, returned to our labs today for a ten-week REU summer research experience, during which she will continue her studies on the metal binding properties of a series of novel rhodamine dyes capable of fluorescence turn-on signaling.

Addison Iszler, a senior at UA and an undergraduate researcher in our group for close to two years, has recently won the Randall Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award, the topmost UA award for undergraduate research. Addie's and the other awardees' accomplishments were recognized today at a luncheon hosted by UA President Stuart Bell.

Two new graduate students, Rezoanul Islam and Xiyuan Yao, joined the group this fall! Welcome Rezouan and Xiyuan!

Flor Lozada Santiago, an REU student from the Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, joined the group today. She will be working with us for ten intense weeks on the detection of carboxylate anions in water using polyelectrolyte receptors and pattern-based recognition methods.

Xiaoli successfully defended her original research proposal today and is officially a Ph.D. candidate. Congratulations Xiaoli!

Alie defended her dissertation today! Congratulations Dr. Mallet, and best wishes for your future career!

Xiaoli successfully completed her initial research review today, presenting the significant body of work she carried out in the last nine months on the binding of carbohydrates to covalently modified PAMAM dendrimers. Congratulations Xiaoli!

Michael H. Ihde joined our group as a new graduate student. He will start out on both synthetic and instrumental projects, on the one hand attempting a large-scale synthesis of covalently modifiable low-generation PAMAM dendrons, and on the other by continuing studies on the properties that enable PAMAM dendrimers to act as solubilizers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in neutral water solution. Welcome Michael!

Ashley defended her dissertation today, the first student to obtain her Ph.D. from our group at UA! Ashley also recently accepted a position as a lecturer in organic chemistry at the University of Kentucky. Congratulations Dr. Jolly, and best wishes for your future career!