About
Purpose: Organic chemist seeking a job in the field of chemistry.
Summary: I have a BSc and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee under the supervision of Dr. Xiaohua Peng. My research and work were related to the design, synthesis and investigation of novel boron-based theranostic small molecules intended to be used as both selective anticancer prodrug and profluorophore agents.
The general theranostic structure comprises of two main parts. The first part consists of the nitrogen mustard moiety that are known to target and alkylate the DNA, thereby inhibiting DNA cellular processes to induce cell cycle arrest and cell death. As a result, the theranostics’ nitrogen mustard acts as anticancer agents to inhibit fast dividing and aggressive cancer cells. Moreover, the nitrogen mustard functionality is directly conjugated to a phenyl boronic ester that deactivates the mustard’s activity until H2O2-oxidative deboronation releases the active mustard to then damage cellular DNA.
The second part of the theranostic is a fluorescent scaffold intended to be used as a means to detect them in the biological context through safe photoimaging techniques. This method enables monitoring the molecule’s own activity dependent on H2O2 activation.
Because H2O2 is known to be overproduced in some cancer diseases, the resulting strategy of boron-based theranostics can selectively target cancer cells, thereby potentially improving the current clinically approved nitrogen mustard drugs. Lastly, the synthesized theranostics 35, 55 and 58 were rationally designed based on the lead compound FAN-NM-CH3 by extension of the methyl moiety, since FAN-NM-CH3 presented superior cancer inhibition in vitro and in vivo amongst the other mustard prodrugs.
Currently, I am looking for more work related to organic chemistry and synthesis. I am capable of safely handling chemicals and reactions in addition to maintaining and organizing a lab. I have experience conducting research related to organic chemistry and documenting experiments in a lab notebook. I am self-motivated, effective at communicating my research and capable of meeting deadlines. Besides my previous experience, I am also open and eager to learn new chemistry and opportunities.
Contact me by e-mail if you are interested in hiring me, or have questions about my work.