Inorganic Chemistry, Photochemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry
My research interests are rooted in the photophysics and photochemistry of transition metal complexes with applications in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photochemotherapy (PCT). Both PDT and PCT provide less invasive and more localized treatment of diseases such as cancer and bacterial infections. Projects in my lab focus on the design, synthesis, and analysis of new multifunctional metal complexes (Ru, Mn, Rh, Pt) that absorb visible light and undergo excited state reactions to release or activate more than one potentially therapeutic molecule, such as carbon monoxide, reactive oxygen species, and/or a DNA-binding agent.
Students in my group will become proficient in the synthesis of novel transition metal complexes, analytical techniques such as steady-state and time-resolved electronic absorption and emission spectroscopies, electrochemistry, IR spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy, as well as photochemical and biological assays.
