About Me

I’m a multidisciplinary scientist and junior researcher working at the interface of Computational Chemistry, Computational Biology, and Transition‑Metal Complex Catalysis. My goal is to deepen our understanding of molecular structure and reactivity, and to translate that knowledge into new, greener technologies. I am also keenly interesting in cognitive sciences as it relates to molecular physics.

🔬 Research Areas

• Titanium Catecholate Chemistry
  – Synthesizing and characterizing Ti(III) tris‑catecholate species
  – Probing redox stability, photobleaching, and surface nucleation on metal‑coated substrates
  – Leveraging light‑driven processes for polymerization and catalysis

• Physical & Biological Systems
  – Seaweed development (gametophyte & sporophyte isolation, microscopy, cell culture)
  – Nutrient media preparation and sterile technique

• Computational Biology & Protein Simulation
  – 5‑HT₂A receptor dynamics: apo vs. ligand‑bound (10 ns MD runs)
  – Investigating LSD‑induced signaling bias (β‑arrestin vs. Gq)

🏫 Academic & Lab Experience

• UConn Storrs – Brueckner Lab
  Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow (SURF)
  • Explored first-generation Ti‑catecholate syntheses
  • Assisted with porphyrin modification projects
• UConn Storrs – Brueckner Lab
  Undergraduate Research Assistant
  • Characterized Ti‑catecholates
  • Assisted with porphyrin modification projects
• UConn Stamford – Yarish Seaweed Lab
  Undergraduate Assistant
  • Isolated and imaged seaweed gametophytes/sporophytes
  • Managed cell cultures, microscopy, and reagent preparation
• UConn Storrs – Na Li Lab
  Research Intern
  • Studied biphasic drug transfer using HPMC‑stabilized formulations
  • Maintained and troubleshooted lab instrumentation
• UConn Storrs – Asandei Lab
  Visiting Researcher
  • Explored Zn/Sn‑mediated ring‑opening polymerization
  • Explored Ti‑catecholate phototrapping strategies for “living” polymer reactions
• NYU – Valverde Collaborations
  Computational Fellow
  • Simulating 5‑HT₂A receptor signaling for serotonin syndrome studies

🔗 Ongoing Projects

1. Ti‑Catecholate Surface Photochemistry
   Investigating silver‑plated glass substrates to drive photochemical reactions.

2. MD of 5‑HT₂A Receptor
   Quantifying LSD bias toward β‑arrestin vs. G‑protein pathways.

3. Green Polymerization Routes
   Using photostable Ti complexes to enable low‑energy polymer synthesis.