Ph.D. Candidate using Molecular Dynamics simulations to study fluoride transporting proteins. Passionate about science communication, mental health, and making higher education more accessible to all communities.
Advisor: Dr. Hedieh Torabifard 2021-present
Dr. Steven Nielsen 2018-2021
Research Interests: Computational Chemistry, specifically the use of MD simulations to study proteins.
Advisor:Dr. Bukuo Ni
Research Interests: Organic synthesis, specifically the use of a diarylpyrolinol silyl ether derivative as an organocatalyst for asymmetric cycloadditions.
I plan and organize events and seminars dedicated to helping new graduate students acclimate to the program and work with administration to improve both the working and personal lives of graduate students.
Courses: Physical & General Chemistry
I aid student comprehension of concepts via once weekly lectures and office hours. I've also worked with senior lecturers to revise course schedules to ensure all students are adequately prepared, regardless of previous education or experience.
The McNair Scholar program is a federally funded program to assist first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students prepare for graduate studies or other post-baccaleurette programs. By being a Scholar, I performed a 10-week undergraduate research project under the guidance of Dr. Bukuo Ni, focusing on organic synthesis. I also had the opportunity to present my work at multiple conferences, both orally and in poster-form.
Mills, K.R., Baglia, R.A., Mitra, K., Tutol, J.N., Ball, D., Page, K.M., Kallu, J., Gottipolu, S., D'Arcy, S., Nielsen, S.O., and Dodani, S.C.. "An activity-based fluorescent sensor for the detection of the phenol sulfotransferase SULT1A1 in living cells", RSC Chem. Biol., 2021, 2, 830-834
Oral Presentation: ACS Southwest Regional Meeting (2021) "Computational study of CLCF F-/H+ Antiporter Protein"
Oral Presentation: 255th ACS National Meeting (2018) "Diarylpyrolinol silyl ether as organocatalyst for asymmetric cycloaddition of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes to 3-hydroxyoxindoles to produce spirocyclic δ-lactones in aqueous media"
Oral Presentation: Texas National McNair Research Conference (2018) "Synthesis of spirocyclic δ-lactones by asymmetric organocatalytic reactions"
Poster Presentation: 14th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium (2017) "Synthesis of spirocyclic δ-lactones..."
Oral Presentation: Gulf Coast Student Success Conference (2016) "Teaching Scientific Writing, Even as a Non-STEM Peer Educator"
Regardless of your career plans, serving as a teaching assistant or instructor helps you gain skills that will make you a better employee and a better boss