Daniel Leong, University of Cambridge

Daniel Leong is a rising Sophomore at the University of Cambridge. He is studying Natural Sciences and intends to specialize in Chemistry. He grew up in Malaysia but is now living in Cincinnati, OH. This summer, Daniel is conducting research at Dr Yujie Sun’s lab under the

guidance of graduate student Guanqun Han. He is investigating the novel application of two-photon absorption (TPA) in photocatalysts. TPA occurs when two low-energy infrared-red (IR) photons are absorbed to emit an energetic ultraviolet (UV) photon capable of initiating chemical reactions. In comparison to UV light, IR radiation is only weakly absorbed by the solvent, has greater penetration through media, and can be abundantly harvested from the Sun. His work on this topic will help elucidate this physical process and reap benefits from using IR light in photocatalysis. He is responsible for the synthesis of novel photocatalysts with large TPA cross sections, modifying substituents to tune the photocatalyst for specific reactions.

Kamya Lapsley, Kent State University

Hello, my name is Kamya Lapsley. I am from Fishers, Indiana, and I will be a senior at Kent State University in the fall. I am a Chemistry major with a concentration in Pre Med. After obtaining my undergraduate degree in the spring, I plan on completing a post baccalaureate research program for a year or two before applying to MD/PhD programs. I am working in Dr. Ashley Ross’s lab during my summer here at UC. The Ross lab is interested in developing electrochemical methods to study neurotransmitter signaling in the brain and immune system, developing microfluidic platforms for probing brain and brain-immune interactions, and developing new sensors for protein analysis ex vivo. With my graduate mentor Blaise Ostertag, we are using waste coffee grounds to make porous carbon. We are then taking this porous carbon and modifying carbon-fiber microelectrodes that are used in the lab for Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) with it. FSCV is used for the real-time detection of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, on the subsecond time scale. Our hope with using the porous carbon to modify the carbon fiber microelectrodes is that ultimately there is an increase in sensitivity of the microelectrodes.

Shania Smith, Cincinnati State University

From Cincinnati, Ohio, Shania Smith, a recent graduate from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College and anticipating neuroscience: neuropsychology junior at the University of Cincinnati. She aspires of attending medical school upon completion of undergraduate school and becoming a Dermatologist.

This summer, Shania is working under Audrey Pumford in Dr. White’s research group. She is investigating collision dynamics during electrooxidation of single nanoparticles. Specifically, she is observing collisional behavior of both freely diffusing and tethered silver and platinum nanoparticles using amperometric methods. The ultimate goal behind her work is gaining knowledge about interactions of particles on a surface so she can create sensing platforms capable of detecting single molecules.