Summer Science Scholars (S3RP) in Chemistry and Biochemistry, L-R: Riley Schap (biochem), MacKenzie Redding (biochem), and Tabytha McLaughlin (chem). Their projects, under the supervision of Dr. Matt Hudson, are described below.
Riley and Tabytha are attempting to synthesize and modify porous inorganic materials to make fluorescent marker molecules that can be used in forensic science applications. These application can be (1) latent fingerprint determination by interaction with fingerprint secretions or (2) in the evaluation and identification of gun shot residue (GSR) by reaction through either as a tracer in ammunition or in the sensing of post firing GSR.
MacKenzie is working on making edible and flexible porous materials frameworks that can be used to encapsulate drug molecules for more effective delivery than can be accomplished through traditional drug uptake.