Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Dr. Stephenson focuses on the synthesis of sensors based on supermolecular interactions, utilizing synthetic organic chemistry to form useful new materials; in other words, his main interest is in studying the interaction of molecules in order to make biocompatible sensing materials. Specifically, Dr. Stephenson's projects work to synthesize and study new sensors based on xanthene dyes such as rhodamine B. The sensors are formed by modifying existing dyes to have specific functions.

Organic Superconductor Synthesis

Students working under Dr. Qin will have the opportunity to synthesize novel charge transfer complexes based on sulfur-rich, aromatic, heterocyclic molecules; students will then test these compounds as new organic conductors and superconductors that could help form the basis for superconducting power grids.

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Physical Chemistry

Dr. Lynn Vogel Koplitz studies non-covalent interactions in crystals using synthesis, crystal growth, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic, calorimetric, and computational methods. Undergraduate students in her research group also collaborate with other scientists at Loyola, Xavier, and Tulane to determine properties of a model set of organic salts. Their discoveries can be used in the fields of crystal engineering, supramolecular design, and drug/target interaction.