BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Petia Bobadova, a professor of chemistry in Appalachian State University's Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, collaborated with undergraduate chemistry students Seleen Al Horani and Masa Al Horani on a study published in Inorganic Chemistry in May.
The paper, titled "Synthesis and Regioselective Functionalization of Tetrafluorobenzo-[α]-Fused BOPYPY Dyes," was published in collaboration with researchers from Dr. M. Graca H. Vicente's research group in the Department of Chemistry at Lousiana State University. The work is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.
Seleen Al Horani, a senior pursuing a bachelor's degree in chemistry with a certified chemist concentration, and Masa Al Horani, a junior pursuing a bachelor's degree in chemistry with a certified chemist concentration, work in Dr. Bobadova's research group computationally modeling the properties of fluorescent dyes used in medical imaging.
"Borondipyrromethene (BODIPY) is a class of fluorescent dyes that has low cytotoxicity and high cell membrane permeability," explained Bobadova. "These dyes absorb and emit energy in the visible and near-infrared region of the spectrum, and have excellent photophysical and optoelectronic properties. We examine different structural modifications of these molecules with the aim of increasing their stability and solubility, as well as to finely tune their photophysical properties."
Chemistry majors Masa Al Horani, Dylan Goliber, Seleen Al Horani and Eli Hernandez with their research mentor, Dr. Petia Bobadova, at the American Chemical Society's Spring 2024 Meeting in New Orleans, LA.
In March, Seleen and Masa debuted their work during an oral presentation at the American Chemical Society's Spring 2024 Meeting in New Orleans, LA. Their presentation was the only undergraduate presentation selected for the Women Make COMP symposium, a one-day event highlighting the success, impact and hard work of women in the field of computational chemistry. For their work, Seleen and Masa received the “Promise in Computational Chemistry” award.
In July, Seleen and Masa presented a poster at the Molecular Education and Research Consortium in Undergraduate computational chemistRY (MERCURY) Conference in Merced, CA.
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About the A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences
The A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry, a Bachelor of Science in chemistry with eight different concentrations and an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in fermentation sciences. The department’s programs prepare students to attend graduate and professional schools, as well as for employment in the pharmaceutical and fermentation industries and other business sectors. Learn more at dcfs.appstate.edu.
Written by Dr. Petia Bobadova and Lauren Gibbs
November 6, 2024
BOONE, N.C.
Masa Al Horani, Dr. Petia Bobadova and Seleen Al Horani at the American Chemical Society's Spring 2024 Meeting in New Orleans, LA. Photo submitted
Masa Al Horani, Dr. Petia Bobadova and Seleen Al Horani at the American Chemical Society's Spring 2024 Meeting in New Orleans, LA. Photo submitted