My primary focus in the Que lab is on the development of paramagnetic responsive imaging agents for fluorine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). My work is a blend of organic synthesis of novel macrocyclic ligands derivatives and coordinating chemistry, with the ultimate goal of creating redox-sensitive probes capable of detecting biological redox conditions and species. To date, my efforts in the Que lab have yielded two first-author publications highlighting responsive small molecule ¹⁹F MRI agents and a reversible cysteine-responsive iron probe.In addition to my research responsibilities, I also play an integral role in mentoring and training both graduate and undergraduate students.I am proficient in organic and inorganic synthesis and purification. Additionally, I am well-versed in handling γ-emitters. Moreover, I possess extensive experience with analytical techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, UV-vis spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry.

Advisors: Dr. John P. Selegue and Dr. Edith C. Glazer.Dissertation Title: "Design, synthesis, and anticancer properties of Ru(II) complexes with organometallic, expanded bipyridine, and O,O’-chelating ligands."We conducted research to develop new ruthenium(II) complexes that could serve as improved chemotherapeutics. I synthesized over 50 coordination and organometallic Ru(II) complexes and studied them for their anticancer properties in photo-activated and traditional chemotherapy modalities. By modulating the excited state properties using tridentate N-heterocyclic-carbenes or distortion to the ligand sphere of the compounds, these works demonstrated two novel methods to obtain compounds for photo-activated cancer therapies. This work led to two publications.I also designed traditional chemotherapeutic complexes using acetylacetonate types of ligands that functioned without light activation. Many of the complexes showed better potency than clinically relevant drugs, such as cisplatin. Multiple new agents show high potency in cancer cells while maintaining low toxicity in zebrafish embryo models. This work led to two publications.Major components of my lab time included mentoring graduate students, managing the lab's daily operations, maintaining and troubleshooting instruments and computers, and overseeing laboratory safety.Alongside my own studies, I was a teaching assistant for organic I, II, and inorganic laboratory courses.

Worked as a graduate research assistant in charge of measuring nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra for all research laboratories that used the Chemistry Department's NMR facilities. My duties also included filling instruments with liquid nitrogen and liquid helium,

The development of novel polyurethane dispersions as high-performance coatings. Worked in a high-paced environment synthesizing new polyamide, polyurethane, and polycarbonate polymers and oligomers. Performed polymer testing that included measuring particle size using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and measuring viscosity. Additionally, did mild formulation chemistry testing different cosolvents for thin film forming.

Advisor: Torsten HegmannInvestigation of the effects of chiral nanoparticles doped into smectic-c liquid crystals. Carried out multistep synthesis of chiral organic molecules to be used as ligands for gold nanoparticles. Part of this research was carried out during a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Kent State University in 2012. This research was presented at multiple poster sessions, including the 2011 American Chemical Society national meeting

Advisor: Shan-Hu LeeDeveloped an undergraduate laboratory experiment to measure Henry’s law constants of toluene using a gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID). This research resulted in a publication in the Journal of Chemical Education.