Pharma LPRC - Chemical Microspectroscopy
This student team will focus on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research in the discovery/development areas, aiming to advance global healthcare and to benefit patients worldwide. The team will have access to advanced research technologies and will develop tools and protocols to address critical research inquiries while working with faculty affiliated with the Eli Lily and Company and Purdue University Research Alliance Center (LPRC).
Faculty Advisor:
Description:
Chirality (molecular handedness) is a defining feature of molecular interactions in biological recognition and surface-driven synthesis. However, conventional chiral spectroscopies like circular dichroism (CD) and optical rotary dispersion (ORD) often produce signals that are too weak to enable microscopy and surface analysis. In ordered assemblies, however, symmetry reduction enables strong electric-dipole–allowed chiral responses, opening new frontiers for sensitive detection. Our team is working to further develop our fundamental theories on chiroptical spectroscopy and build new instrumentation with ultrahigh sensitivity to chirality at surfaces and within ordered media. By developing predictive models that directly connect molecular chirality to optical outcomes, we aim to expand the analytical reach of CD, ORD and nonlinear optical imaging for advanced chiral characterization.
Prerequisites:
linear algebra and python/matlab programming (preferred)
Relevant Technologies:
Instrument development, microscopy, spectroscopy