At The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) undergraduate research is an essential component of chemistry education. While at TCNJ, my work has focused on using sustainable chemistry to frame my research and teaching initiatives. Research in our lab focuses on the development of more sustainable approaches to the production of chemicals using air and moisture-tolerant catalysts. We discovered Cp*Ir(pyridinesulfonamide)Cl precatalysts that are active in the base-free transfer hydrogenation of aryl and alkyl aldehydes and ketones. Due to the air stability of these complexes, they were used in concert with cerium oxide nanoparticles, as a recyclable reservoir of oxidative equivalents, in catalytic alcohol dehydrogenation. Due to the cooperative effects between the iridium and sulfonamide moiety on the ligand our future work looks to use this interaction to facilitate other catalytic transformations including CO<sub>2</sub> reduction and stabilize new, reactive coordination complexes. Additionally, to make research a possibility for more students and break down barriers for students in the classroom, a classroom-based authentic research experience (CURE) approach and high structure classrooms utilizing inclusive pedagogies, both which complement sustainability research initiatives, have been developed. Described herein is my journey over the past 10 years as a woman in academia at a primarily undergraduate institution to build inclusive teaching methods and a vibrant research program focused in catalytic chemistry.

Using inclusive teaching strategies, green chemistry, and catalysis to inspire undergraduate students at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.