Amani Gaddy

2018 REU Student Profile

Amani comes from the Xavier University in New Orleans, Lousiana. This summer she is working with the Ayer's research team.

The objective of my research project is to synthesize copolymers for its use in the construction of hydrogels via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The process of RAFT polymerization has many benefits including: creating polymers featuring a low polydispersity, developing polymers with a predetermined molecular weight, and its ability to work with various monomers. The goal of using RAFT polymerization for the synthesis of the copolymer is to build a synthetic copolymer with controllable properties including amphipathicity and water solubility. With the water soluble copolymer, hydrogels are created. These hydrogels are beneficial to the process of delivering drugs and biological macromolecules, such as proteins, to the body.

- Amani Gaddy

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