Organic chemists work with chemical molecules that contain carbon, the backbone of all biological substances. Organic chemistry looks specifically at the structure, reactivity, and synthesis of these molecules. Our students are developing new reagents to run environmentally friendly chemical reactions in the lab. They are also studying the chemistry of chemotherapeutic agents in the human body and developing new ways to determine the age of foods. 

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Michael Adamov 

Synthesis of Oligonucleotides containing DNA-Distorting Interstrand Crosslinks using a Novel Mitomycin C Derivative, DELS-15 (Dr. Elise Champeil)

My passion for science stems from my curiosity about how drug interactions impact human health. Throughout my undergraduate research, I’ve gained experience in drug synthesis, cell culture, and transfection techniques, which has strengthened my interest in pharmaceutical sciences. This experience has taught me to work independently, troubleshoot experiments, and learn from my mistakes—skills essential for any researcher. Working with oligonucleotides and MC derivatives has improved my problem-solving abilities and affirmed my goal of attending pharmacy school. My time in PRISM at John Jay has boosted my confidence as a researcher and allowed me to contribute to scientific discoveries in medicinal chemistry. 

My research focuses on synthesizing and testing DELS-15, a derivative of Mitomycin C (MC), an anticancer drug used clinically to target cancer cells. Both drugs induce DNA lesions known as interstrand crosslinks (ICLs), which trigger cytotoxic effects in affected cells. DELS-15 appears to be more efficient than MC in both leukemia and breast cancer cell lines. We study the differences in how DELS-15 induces ICLs to impact cellular functions, hoping to develop more effective cancer treatments. 

Elona Duka 

Purification and Characterization Procedures of the Products of 2-Hydroxy-1,4-Naphtoquinone and L(+)Ornithine: Recent Advances (Dr. Gloria Proni) 

My love for science truly began in high school when I took a forensics class and fell in love with how science illuminates hidden secrets that most people miss at a glance. This was my first encounter with the hunt for knowledge that sparked inside me. At John Jay, PRISM has allowed me to pursue new knowledge and grow my experience both in and out of the lab. My research through PRISM with my mentor has taught me to be creative in problem-solving, apply my knowledge in the real world, and provided me with an amazing support system of peers and professors. 

Our research investigates lawsone, a compound found in the leaves of the henna plant, and its reaction with the amino acids in fingerprints to develop a fluorescent fingerprinting reagent. We use analytical chemistry to determine the products of the reaction by color, weight, and structure to develop this new fingerprinting dye. 

Paulina Hiyaev 

Synthesis of Metal-Organic Coordination Complexes for Anticancer Applications (Dr. Guoqi Zhang) 

My love for science truly began in my high school chemistry class, where my teacher inspired me to be more curious about how the world works and what makes up the things around us. My long-term aspirations are to become a forensic toxicologist and further my education by obtaining a master’s degree in Toxicology. Through my research experience, I have deepened my ability to collaborate with others in a research setting, improving my communication and teamwork skills while learning from different perspectives. 

My research involves synthesizing novel compounds known as coordination complexes, which combine a metal and an organic ligand using layering and evaporation techniques. I characterize the resulting compounds using techniques like X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance, which allow us to determine the composition and structure of the new molecules. Finally, I will analyze these compounds for their potential anticancer properties. 

Amy Kanina 

Synthesis and Pharmacological Applications of Novel Base Metal Complexes with Terpyridine Ligands (Dr. Guoqi Zhang) 

My love for the sciences began in high school. Initially, I was passionate about becoming a DNA analyst, inspired by my biology teacher. However, it wasn’t until I took chemistry classes at John Jay that I discovered my true passion for chemistry. This passion continued to flourish under Dr. Zhang’s mentorship. Working in Dr. Zhang’s lab has helped me become more confident and apply the skills and knowledge from my classes to research. 

Metal-ligand complexes can be effective as antifungal and anticancer treatments. Our research focuses on synthesizing new versions of these complexes and determining their structures. We aim to use these metal complexes as potential drug candidates for clinical therapies. 

 

 

Alan Liu 

Enhancing Fingerprint Detection: Fluorescent Reactions of Lawsone with Amino Acids (Dr. Gloria Proni) 

I am a senior at John Jay, pursuing a forensic science degree. My fascination with science comes from a desire to explain the unknown and gain a deeper understanding of how things work. Research at John Jay has allowed me to experience that sense of wonder and discovery through hands-on exploration. Through my research, I have also engaged in the rigorous hard work and systematic approach of the scientific method to advance knowledge. After completing my degree, I plan to pursue a master’s program in education to share the knowledge and experience I have gained. 

Criminal investigators often struggle to detect and collect fingerprints, which are usually invisible when left behind at crime scenes. One potential method involves using lawsone, a compound that produces color and exhibits fluorescent properties when it reacts with the amino acids in fingerprint residues. Our work aims to modify the lawsone to improve its detection when used to detect fingerprints. 

Sarah Marks 

Synthesis of Oligonucleotides Containing DNA Adducts from a Novel Mitomycin C Derivative, DELS-15 (Dr. Elise Champeil)

Growing up, I was raised on science. My dad majored in chemistry and taught me and my friends nerdy chemistry jokes. I love problem solving and working on puzzles. Although I knew I wanted to be part of the criminal justice system, I kept gravitating toward chemistry. Exploring research at John Jay has solidified my interest in pursuing a PhD in chemistry. Doing research has taught me to think independently and learn from my errors. Working with my mentor has boosted my confidence as a researcher and helped me understand that making mistakes is natural and often necessary for learning.

DELS-15 is a novel anti-tumor drug, a derivative of mitomycin C. We are working on the synthesis of DELS-15 interstrand crosslinks, toxic DNA lesions, to understand how DELS-15 could be toxic to cancer cells. Discovering new and effective anti-cancer treatment is our goal. 

Haiyu Mei

Discovery of Non-Platinum-Based Small Molecular Anticancer Drugs (Dr. Guoqi Zhang) 

Science has always been one of my favorite subjects in school. I loved learning about how everything around me works, which sparked my interest in pursuing a career in science. PRISM has allowed me to explore my interest in working in a laboratory. I gained experience and developed new skills as a researcher. I also really enjoyed working with my peers in the lab and felt a great sense of satisfaction when observing the results of our experiments. 

Our lab focuses on synthesizing new coordination complexes and exploring effective methods for their synthesis. If successful, we can determine their complex’s structure using X-ray crystallography. We hope to apply our new compounds as a treatment for cancer, in collaboration with Dr. Shu-Yuan Cheng’s lab at John Jay.