https://www.research.planalp.net/home daily 1.0 2023-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/165cd108-dce0-4880-87db-b7203081cd22/PlanalpGroup1.jpg Home - Who We Are The Planalp group focuses on synthetic and analytical aspects of biological and environmental inorganic chemistry. We do our research out of Parsons Hall on the campus of the University of New Hampshire. See Our Members https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1629555338936-VMPDVBHGU695N81MQBY4/april-19-2021-22-2.jpg Home - Research Aggregation of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Homopolymer by Cu(II) and Zn(II): Significance for Ratiometric Metal Ion Indicators is our latest publication! Read Our Research & Publications https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1629556206922-FLJCUN2Z63LOHFMECMG3/april-19-2021-23-2.jpg Home - Our COVID-19 Response We are proud to be a part of a University that has been committed to keeping its students, faculty, and staff safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Read about UNH’s COVID Response https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1533775917657-SHKG62SKLIE5J3C7J0AZ/planalpbg.png Home https://www.research.planalp.net/what-we-do daily 0.75 2023-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/9a2b9368-2c35-4730-922b-7112f883c0c1/Johanna%27s+NOTPi.jpg Research & Publications - Ligands for Radioisotopes We study design and synthesis of strongly chelating ligands for radiometals such as copper and zirconium. More info available on request! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1533908940676-PSAS3O9JS0KSEQVS8N3A/two.png Research & Publications - Fluorescent Ratiometric Metal Ion Sensors In a project to study new sensor methodologies for environmentally significant metals, we investigate the design, synthesis and speciation of nitrogen or sulfur-based ligands... Read More https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/d7045323-e6fc-4779-832c-be5bad2c391d/Slide+37.png Research & Publications - Probing Iron Metabolism and Ferroptosis With the development of iron-selective, mitochondria targeting probes, we will be able to indicate the presence of iron through fluorescence as well as sequester iron with a chelator. The idea is both the fluorophore and chelator would exist on the same moiety to optimize efficiency in synthesis and mito-studies. Peptides modeled after the Szeto-Schiller (SS) family were found to be optimal for targeting to the mitochondria due to their amphiphilic properties. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/c36ccd67-a939-426b-9f40-352a0d4109fa/Fe%28tachpyr%29%2BH2O2.jpg Research & Publications - Metallobiology of Iron and Ferroptosis Iron is the key catalytic element in organisms, playing key roles in respiration, enzyme conversions and many other functions. A hallmark of biological iron metabolism is the “double-edged sword” property, referring to how iron is very useful when properly managed, but harmful when in excess, when weakly bound or mislocated. We are creating peptide-based tools… Read More https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1533797218591-GXSENJZZDO3B292JN6GL/planalpbg.png Research & Publications https://www.research.planalp.net/fluorescent-ratiometric-metal-ion-sensors daily 0.75 2022-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1534336623124-8FF6O60FOCZT4C2LQH5V/ligand4.jpg Fluorescent Ratiometric Metal Ion Sensors https://www.research.planalp.net/members daily 0.75 2023-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1629553093413-YWNQXWF4MUA9VY69UO4S/april-19-2021-2-2.jpg Members - Son Nguyen, 3rd Year PhD Candidate svn1005(at)wildcats.unh.edu B.S. Suffolk University, Biochemistry I joined the Planalp lab in the fall of 2020. Though it is primarily an inorganic lab, Dr. Planalp is very opened to other branches. I am specifically interested in theoretical and computational chemistry. This type of research suits my work habit well and I do not have to worry about any time-sensitive reactions. Current Research I am working with Leonid Povolotskiy to synthesize a small cell-penetrating peptide that can localize to the mitochondria. The peptide is attached with a fluorophore to be visualized. The final step would be to attach an iron chelator on the peptide so the chelator can remove Fe3+ or Fe2+ in the mitochondria. Leo is the mastermind behind the design. My job is to model the mechanism through coarse grained molecular dynamics using NAMD and VMD to obtain the thermodynamics data. Past Research During my time as an undergraduate student, I worked under Dr. Denyce Wicht in a biochemical lab. The goal of the research was to resolve the pathway in which soil bacteria scavenge for sulfur-containing compounds and break them down to a form that they can incorporate to their systems My role was to synthesize a protein called MsuD- an enzyme that catalyzes the last step of the pathway, and perform functional analysis. I learned to apply a variety of biochemical techniques that proved to be useful for my future research. Publications Soule, J.; Gnann, A. D.; Gonzalez, R.; Parker, M. J.; Mckenna, K. C.; Nguyen, S. V.; Phan, N. T.; Wicht, D. K.; Dowling, D. P. Structure and Function of the Two-Component Flavin-Dependent Methanesulfinate Monooxygenase within Bacterial Sulfur Assimilation. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2019. DOI 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.11.008 Interests I am interested in pharmaceutical and environmental research that improve the quality of life. I like coding especially Python programming as a hobby. Learning German is also one of my bucket lists. Favorite thing to do on campus Strolling while waiting for my reactions to run. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/d7bf251d-cca1-4b69-820a-af92b8996272/Photo.jpg Members - Frances Gomez – 2nd Year PhD Student fms1020(at)unh.edu B.S. Chemistry University of Massachusetts Lowell I joined the Planalp lab at UNH in the spring of 2023. I am happy to join an inclusive group at UNH with a very supportive advisor. Current Research I am currently trying to couple a fluorophore unto a short sequence (SS)-peptide. The fluorophore (thiazole orange) has many relevant properties that make it a promising choice for fluorescent studies in live cell imaging (Suss et al. 2021). Past Research Before joining the Planalp lab, I was a member of the HITRAN group at the Harvard & Smithsonian | Center for Astrophysics (CfA). Please refer to my website which highlights all my publications, presentations and DEI initiatives. Interests I have a broad range of interests. In my undergraduate career I developed antimicrobials. Then later I worked on developing, imaging and testing photoresists. After my graduation I was an SAO/LIP intern at the CfA where I began my work with HITRAN and later became a full-time scientist with the group. While at the CfA, I developed a passion for physical chemistry, spectroscopy, programming and modeling. Primarily I enjoy learning how molecules behave (rotation, vibration, spin, electronic interactions) by themselves and with other molecules. To be able to visualize those chemical interactions with molecular orbital theory, ligand-field theory, group theory, computational chemistry, spectra and more, is a fascinating puzzle to solve. Favorite thing to do on campus Hanging out with my friends and practicing my trumpet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1629552994942-73HACKD4EET17XQP7R4R/april-19-2021-4-2.jpg Members - Emily Andrews - 4th Year PhD Candidate era1004@wildcats.unh.edu B.S. Union College, Environmental Chemistry I am an analytical chemist looking to specialize in environmental and food applications who joined the Planalp lab the fall semester of 2020. The Planalp group has helped make New Hampshire home for me and has been a great environment for further building on my skills and independence as a chemist. Current Research Within our project to produce bifunctional iron peptide probes, my role is to purify the peptides synthesized using high pressure liquid chromatography. We recently obtained a Waters HPLC system from the Greenberg lab; since then my duties encompass bringing our system online and testing peptides made by Leo Povolotskiy. After finding impurities, I help study mass spectrometry data to identify them so we can adjust our synthetic techniques. Past Research During my time at Union College, my primary project focused on quantifying the presence of the neurotoxin acrylamide in coffee and assessing the trends that influence concentration under the guidance of Dr. Laura MacManus-Spencer and Dr. Joanne Kehlbeck. Brewed coffee samples were prepared for analysis with a simplified liquid extraction technique while acrylamide concentrations were quantified using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. After completing the method development process, I studied the effects of coffee roast, presence of caffeine, bean species, and amount of beans used to prepare a cup of coffee. Presentations Acrylamide in Coffee: Method Development and Analysis of Contributing Factors; Pittcon Poster Presentation Winter 2021. Acrylamide in Coffee: Method Development and Analysis of Contributing Factors; Union College Virtual Steinmetz Symposium Oral Presentation Spring 2020. Interests As I learn more about the processes involved with separations and mass spectrometry, I am excited to employ my knowledge to environmental concerns such as water quality, agricultural systems, and the presence of contaminants in the earth. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking and going to the beach, watching local theatre, and exploring the surrounding cities. Favorite thing to do on campus Walking around downtown and skating at the Whittemore Ice Arena! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1629688756414-WI5RVSCBFJD2FH8GOZIW/Image.jpeg Members - Lydia Milam, Chemistry Undergraduate lrm1042@wildcats.unh.edu I joined the Planalp lab in Fall of 2020, and have found that the group always creates a fun and welcoming environment for everyone. Unfortunately, COVID has resulted in minimized opportunities for my time at UNH, but I look forward to being more involved in the future! Current Research I will be researching oxidation catalysts to degrade environmental contaminants such as the azo dye methyl orange, which is used as a textile dye and a pH indicator. I will be using the Fenton Reaction and the ligand propyl-7-carboxamide-8-hydroxyquinoline. Interests I am very interested in ligand synthesis and design, as well as environmental sustainability and the reduction of toxic metals in our pollution. I’m looking to a semester abroad in Europe, and I’m also considering picking up a humanities minor. Off campus, I love to camp and go swimming, as well as play various sports such as soccer and rugby. Favorite things to do on campus Some of my favorite things to do on campus are walk in the college woods and work on the T-hall lawn during nice days, or go to the Hamel Rec Center. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1533999293449-EL39K3XG4V19LQD4F59X/Roy.jpg Members - Roy P. Planalp, PhD – Principal Investigator I head a research group to study biological and environmental inorganic chemistry and teach graduate and undergraduate courses in these areas. The specifics are coordination chemistry focused on ligand design, synthesis and physical characterization. In collaborative efforts with biochemists and radiochemists we study cellular metal metabolism and novel radioisotopes for nuclear medicine. Prior to joining UNH Chemistry, I was a postdoctoral twice over, firstly in Freiburg Germany as a Humboldt Junior Fellow, then at the University of Illinois. I completed my Ph.D. in organometallic chemistry at UC Berkeley with the late Dick Andersen and chose chemistry as a main career during my undergraduate studies at MIT. I am active in the local Boston Regional Inorganic Colloquium and as a reviewer for numerous journals and funding agencies. When not immersed in the world of chemistry, I enjoy contra dancing, racquetball and kayaking. I am devoted to understanding world cultures, pursuing my hobby of World Music DJ radio station WUNH as well cooking and enjoying ethnic cuisine. Department Website and ORCID roy.planalp(at)unh.edu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1631213315657-LTO3D4EVTD3M8D7WPPA3/Picture1.jpg Members - Matt Cummins, Chemistry Undergraduate mmc1099@wildcats.unh.edu I am a third year undergrad student that is hoping to pursue analytical and medicinal chemistry after graduating. I joined the Planalp Group in summer of 2021 and have spent most of my time here learning about my colleagues’ research in hopes of finding inspiration for my own research. I have really enjoyed my experience with this group and I think that this group will significantly elevate my knowledge, experience, and broaden my horizons as I start to delve into my own chemical pursuits. Current Research I have spent most of my time here with Emily Andrews who has done an amazing job teaching me how to operate our Waters HPLC. I am currently taking time to familiarize myself with other machines in the lab like our NMR and mass spectroscopy systems, so that I can help process more peptides and ligands for the lab. Interests My sister is a type one diabetic and she has been my north star as I work my way further through my degree. My dream would be to apply everything I have learned into diabetic research. Hopefully one day I can help reduce the price of insulin or provide alternative treatments to those who cannot afford their current prescriptions. Outside of school, I spend my free time going out to eat with friends, playing yard games, and watching every football game on Sundays. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/2c74e1a6-a74f-4c0b-9475-1fd9913d1c8b/Nathan.jpg Members - Nathan Bartlett – 2nd Year PhD Student nrb1062(at)usnh.edu B.S./M.S. State University of New York at Albany, Chemistry I joined Planalp Lab in the Spring of 2023. Coming from an Analytical and Forensic Background, Planalp helped me to transition into Inorganic Chemistry, and I am quite thankful to him for the opportunity and to be able to apply what I know to other fields, becoming more well-rounded in the process. Current Research My current focus is the synthesis of the peptide (Cx-r)6, by hand and, notably, by use of a peptide machine. This peptide can then be used for further study into the construction of a peptide that can collect iron from its environment. It also helps assist others in furthering their research. Past Research Before finding myself in Planalp Lab, my main focus was in the forensic field under Dr. Igor Lednev at SUNY Albany. Namely, my focus was on the use of Raman spectroscopy to analyze and compare the spectra of smokeless gunpowder in hopes of showing the potential of the construction of a database for solving crimes, which formed the basis of my Master’s Thesis. I also learned many forms of instrumental analysis, mostly Raman, as mentioned previously, as well as IR. Interests Forensics, Instrumental Analysis, and Inorganic Chemistry are probably my biggest interests when it comes to chemistry. I would like to implement all of them into a project that in some way helps people at large. The environmental use of the iron-chelating peptide manages to hit all three of the fields, and I am thrilled to work on it. Outside of lab, Card Games, Video Games, and Models tend to take up my free time. Favorite Thing to do on Campus I’m a commuter, so I don’t tend to stay on Campus for long stretches of time. That said, grabbing food, either from the mess hall or the union square, always tends to be a highlight of the day, both the walk to and back, hanging out with others during lunch, and the food itself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1533797218591-GXSENJZZDO3B292JN6GL/planalpbg.png Members https://www.research.planalp.net/metallobiology-of-iron daily 0.75 2022-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/4498e739-07dd-492a-a17f-fb4e28324231/Full+graphic+for+website.jpg Metallobiology of Iron (left) sequestered iron(3+) in a peptide with fluorescent tag; (center) characterization of mitochondrion-targeting fluorescent peptide; (right) center structure colocation in mitochondrion shown by confocal fluorescent miscroscopy, ovarian cancer cell line. https://www.research.planalp.net/contact daily 0.75 2023-07-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1b62d31c-3caa-4a2e-89e5-8ce8d0f1d0f9/old+group+photo.jpg Contact & Resources https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1533797218591-GXSENJZZDO3B292JN6GL/planalpbg.png Contact & Resources https://www.research.planalp.net/resouces daily 0.75 2023-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/9cace255-6f46-48d5-985a-ca93cfb8bfea/Noah.jpg Former Students - Noah Cote Previous work: I worked on the design, synthesis, and characterization of Zr4+ and Sc3+ based bifunctional chelators with improved in vivostability. These radioisotopes have shown to be effective Immuno-Positron Emission Tomography (PET) agents. To model these complexes, geometry optimizations using Gaussian 09 software are being employed to unveil the potential of phosphinate ligands for Zr4+ binding. I am currently working to prepare a Sc3+ based bifunctional chelator that incorporates these phosphinate moieties. I am the only member currently working on this project, so I consider this a unique opportunity. Noah finished his masters in 2022, see his thesis here. Past Research: My undergraduate senior thesis work was performed at University of New Hampshire, Durham under Dr. Arthur Greenberg. This research aimed to model the ring-opening metabolism benzene takes within the liver using 2,3-benzoxepin and 4,5-benzoxepin as substrates. These substrates were exposed to 1A2 isoforms of cytochrome P450 as well as two consecutive one electron oxidation using cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) for comparison. Publications and Presentations: Weaver-Guevara H.M., Fitzgerald R.W., Cote N.A., Greenberg A. Cytochrome P450 Can Epoxidize an Oxepin to a Reactive 2,3-Epoxyoxepin Intermediate: Potential Insights into Metabolic Ring-Opening of Benzene. Molecules. 2020; 25(19): 4542. Synthesis of Model Oxepin Substrate 2,3-Benzoxepin for Benzene Metabolic Mechanistic Studies with m-Chloroperbenzoic Acid, Cerium (IV) Ammonium Nitrate, and Cytochrome P450; Spring 2019 Northeast Section Younger Chemist Committee. The Preparation of Modified DFO for Positron Emission Tomography; Fall 2019 Boston Regional Inorganic Colloquium. Interests: I joined the Planalp research lab in Summer 2019. Despite synthetic difficulties, I could not envision a better group to be working for. Currently interested in the intercrossing of inorganic chemistry and biological systems to be used for pharmaceutical purposes. I find the combination of synthetic inorganic chemistry and biological systems to be rather fascinating. Metals are proven to have incredible medicinal potential that we as humans could not provide without them. Designing and synthesizing a sustainable pathway that incorporates such metals to tackle some of the worlds most challenging health issues is a current dream of mine. Outside of chemistry, I enjoy hiking, relaxing lakeside/beachside, and visiting local craft breweries. Favorite thing to do on campus: Walking around College Woods or eating any of the awesome food on campus. Contact: nac1009@wildcats.unh.edu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/414beb5a-153d-406b-863b-1cde570eb914/Ryan.jpg Former Students - Ryan Fitzgerald Previous work: I have worked towards a hydroxyquinoline-based hexadentate chelator with the ability to bind either Fe2+ or Fe3+ for iron sequestration in the mitochondria of a cell. This chelator will be attached to a lysine residue of a SS-peptide sequence which has been shown to target the mitochondria. This molecule is being made using a convergent approach where my colleague Leo Povolotskiy is designing the peptide at the same time as I am the chelator to be linked together via an amide bond. Ryan graduated with his doctorate in 2022, see his dissertation here. Past Research: Before joining the Planalp lab, I worked on modeling benzene metabolism for Dr. Arthur Greenberg at UNH (B.S. University of New Hampshire). Benzene has a well characterized metabolic pathway to phenolic metabolites from epoxidation via cytochrome P450 in the liver but there is a less well-known valence tautomerization of intermediates benzene oxide and oxepin. We set out to elucidate the mechanism by which oxepin ring opens into E,E-muconaldehyde through either further epoxidation or two consecutive single electron oxidations. Other projects I worked on in the Greenberg lab include attempted synthesis of novel strained lactams containing silicon known as silatranones as well as rotational barrier measurements on various tertiary amides using variable temperature NMR. Publications and Presentations: Synthetic Advances toward a Bifunctional Tripodal Chelator Framework; 52nd Boston Regional Inorganic Colloquium (Virtual at UNH) Spring 2021. Weaver-Guevara, H.M.; Fitzgerald, R.W.; Cote, N.A.; Greenberg, A. Cytochrome P450 Can Epoxidize an Oxepin to a Reactive 2,3-Epoxyoxepin Intermediate: Potential Insights into Metabolic Ring-Opening of Benzene. Molecules. 2020, 25(19), 4542. Synthesis of Model Oxepin Substrates for Benzene Metabolic Mechanistic Studies with Dimethyldioxirane, Cerium (IV) Ammonium Nitrate, and Cytochrome P450; UNH Graduate Research Conference Spring 2019. Weaver-Guevara, H.M., Fitzgerald, R.W., Greenberg, A. Rotational barriers in five related amides. Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 2017, 95, 3, 271-277. Morgan, J.P., Weaver-Guevara, H.M., Fitzgerald, R.W., Greenberg, A. Ab initio computational study of 1-methyl-4-silatranone and attempts at its conventional synthesis. Struct Chem. 2017, 28, 327–331. Interests: I joined the Planalp lab at UNH in the spring of 2019. The Planalp lab is a fun, productive working environment. I am very interested in medical or environmental research that has the potential to help people. My new group has given me the opportunity to learn more about inorganic chemistry and ligand design that both have applications for designing a CO2 reduction catalyst or toxic metal binding in the body. I really enjoy organic synthesis, physical organic chemistry, and catalysis. Ligand design involves a lot of well-planned organic synthesis which is fun to combine with the skillsets of my colleagues. Favorite thing to do on campus: I really enjoy playing basketball at UNH Hamel Rec Center and all the various outdoor courts on campus. There are also lots of great places to eat in Durham that I enjoy including Wildcat Pizza, Bamee, Thai Smile 2, and Pauly’s Pockets. Contact: rwj9(at)wildcats.unh.edu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1533998538490-S85OB3B3QQ2RJ2CDOMP3/mahmoud.jpg Former Students - Mahmoud Abdalrahman, PhD Previous work: I have been working on two projects in the Planalp group. The first project involves the synthesis of a polymerizable terpyridine ligand that can be incorporated into our copper sensor polymer. In my other project, I synthesize metal-ligand complexes concentrating on copper, and I characterize the complexes via single crystal X-ray diffraction, in order to understand and optimize the affinity of the ligands towards copper. Mahmoud graduated with his doctorate in 2017, see his dissertation here. Interests: Growing X-ray quality crystals of metal-ligand complexes and solving their structures for environmental and biological applications. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1533998928764-DK4F9XZJ5X75LM3O88V6/Lea.jpg Former Students - Lea Nyiranshuti, PhD Current work: Lea graduated with her doctorate in 2017, see a recent article on Lea’s success. Previous work: 1) Design, synthesis and characterization of pyridine based ligands that have high affinity toward Cu(II). Determination of binding affinities with Cu(II) and other selected divalent metal ions using potentiometric titration. Synthesized ligands are incorporated in a polymer system for synthesis and characterization of a ratiometric fluorescent sensor for Cu(II). 2) Design, synthesis and characterization of ligands for sensing metal ions present in intracellular and extracellular environment. Past research experience: My previous research experience includes undergraduate senior research that I did at University of California, Riverside with Dr. Dallas Rabenstein about synthesis of new peptides used for neutralization of anticoagulant activity of Heparin. After my undergraduate education, I worked as an intern at Pfizer Global Research & Development in La Jolla, CA. At Pfizer, I helped to study toxicity of several drugs and developing new ways to detect cancer cells at early stage by using biomarkers. It was during my time at Pfizer that I developed interest in “biosensing” and “bioimaging”. My overall research interest includes design and synthesis of novel small molecules for sensing metal ions in intracellular and extracellular environment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1533999605095-XN66UYT124UOE7ZPNC9Q/luke.jpg Former Students - Luke Fulton, PhD Previous work: My previous project involved exploring sensor arrays for biologically relevant metal ions in aqueous media. Luke graduated with his doctorate in 2019, see his dissertation here. Interests: I’ve long been captivated by the varying tools and approaches developed within the different branches of chemistry. This made joining the Planalp group a great boon as our research lies at the junction of the Inorganic and Analytical disciplines. This environment allows me to pursue chemical applications to practical needs through synthetic design. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/2eb1f122-5619-4934-b32d-b0360fcfacb2/Leo.jpg Former Students - Leonid Povolotskiy Previous work: I worked on the synthesis of various bifunctional fluorescent intracellular iron chelators. Through a series of organelle targeting peptides, we hope to explore labile iron metabolism at a subcellular level. I work predominantly on the synthesis of targeting peptides and work closely with Ryan Fitzgerald who handles much of the ligand synthesis. We are looking to combine our respective components to create a functional intracellular iron probe. Leo graduated with his doctorate in 2023. Previous Research: My undergraduate work revolved around elucidating the mechanism of non-selenocysteine containing thioredoxin reductase enzymes. This work was conducted at the University of Vermont with Dr. Rob Hondal. It was there that I received much of my training in peptide synthesis and focused primary on the preparation of strained disulfide rings. Presentations: Bifunctional Iron Chelators and Their Fluorophore Conjugates for Study of Cellular Iron Metabolism; GDCh frühjahrssymposium Poster Presentation Spring 2021. Interests: I joined the Planalp group in the spring of 2019 to start work on the bio-inspired ferroptosis project. I enjoy a sense of comradery in this group that I have not experienced in a long time. My interest in chemistry lies in bio-inspired and medicinal chemistry. Outside of the lab I enjoy the skiing and hiking the White Mountains. This part of New England has offered me excellent chances to enjoy all the things the great outdoors has to offer. Favorite Thing to Do on Campus: Going on a lovely stroll in College Woods with my dog. Contact: lp2005(at)wildcats.unh.edu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6b8ff612b13f111cc4e2be/1533797218591-GXSENJZZDO3B292JN6GL/planalpbg.png Former Students